Its new satellite office is located in the St Mellons area of the capital

The submarine division of engineering giant Rolls-Royce has officially opened a new office in Cardiff. The investment is creating more than a hundred high-skilled jobs.

As part of a major UK-wide expansion Rolls-Royce Submarines has unveiled its new satellite base in the St Mellons area of the city. Funded by the MoD, the office will support Rolls-Royce Submarines’ and the Submarine Delivery Agency’s work on the Dreadnought (new class of submarines for the MoD) and AUKUS programmes.

AUKUS will deliver a fleet of nuclear powered submarines for the Australia government, in a trilateral agreement with the UK and US. America president Donald Trump this week reaffirmed the US’ participation following the signing of the AUKUS deal by former president Joe Biden in 2023. Over thirty years the deal would be worth £176bn.

Rolls-Royce Submarines intends to attract experts across a range of specialisms. These include mechanical design, materials engineering, structural integrity analysis, thermal analysis and fluid dynamics. It currently employs more than 5,000 people to design, manufacture and provide in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power every boat in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.

Steve Carlier, president Rolls-Royce Submarines, said:”The Cardiff satellite office opening shows Rolls-Royce Submarines’ intent on attracting the brightest and best from across the UK. It also highlights the UK-wide economic benefit that investing in defence can bring.

We are in a time of unprecedented growth for our business, and Rolls-Royce is dedicated to developing the current and future generations of nuclear talent to help power our ambitions.

“With the work secured from our AUKUS contracts, alongside the Dreadnought programme, and our future novel nuclear ambitions, there has never been a better and more exciting time to join our industry.”

The new Cardiff operation currently employs 40, but will climb to 120.

Speaking in her role as MP for Cardiff East, where Roll-Royce’s new office is based, Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens. said: This development will bring highly skilled job opportunities and economic growth to the people of Cardiff.

“The partnership with industry shows Wales, and Cardiff, has an important role to play in UK Defence and the long-term work available from this industry will provide security and prosperity for years to come.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan said “Having major companies like Rolls-Royce bringing new jobs to Wales is a boost to skilled manufacturing industries. We want to attract more global companies like Rolls-Royce to Wales, which is why we are holding our International Investment Summit on December 1st (at the ICC Wales in Newport).

“I’m particularly pleased that the company was attracted here by the engineering talent that we have in Wales.”

Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry said: “The opening of the new Rolls-Royce office in Cardiff supports the national endeavour, the UK’s nuclear deterrent, and demonstrates how defence investment is an engine for growth in Wales.

“This investment will create more than 100 highly skilled jobs in Wales, supporting our prosperity and security for decades to come.”