Rolls-Royce has begun construction on a major expansion of its Submarines site in Derby, with the company saying the increased manufacturing capacity will support current and future submarine programmes for the UK and Australian navies under growing defence commitments.
The company announced it has officially broken ground on a new manufacturing facility at its Raynesway site, marking the start of foundational work on an expansion that will more than double the size of its manufacturing operations.
The wider development will add more than 100,000 square metres of manufacturing and office space and is expected to create 1,170 skilled jobs across manufacturing, engineering and other disciplines.
According to Rolls-Royce, the expansion is intended to increase manufacturing output to meet demand from the Royal Navy and the future Australian SSN-AUKUS submarine programme under the AUKUS partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by UK Minister of State for Defence Lord Coaker, Rolls-Royce Submarines President Abi Clayton and Commodore Alistair Moody, Director for Nuclear Propulsion at the Submarine Delivery Group.
Clayton said the project represented an important milestone for the company’s manufacturing capability.
“Breaking ground is a significant step forward in the critical growth of our business. This expansion will more than double the size of our manufacturing facility, strengthening our capability and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise,” she said.
“Together with our trusted delivery partners, our commitment is to deliver this programme safely, efficiently and to the highest standards. This work will unlock much-needed manufacturing capacity on site, allowing us to enhance our delivery drumbeat to support the boat build programmes.”
During the visit, Lord Coaker also met Rolls-Royce nuclear welding apprentices who recently secured first, second, third and fourth places in the SkillWeld 26 East Midlands heats, marking the first time one company has claimed the top three positions in the national apprentice welding competition.
Lord Coaker said the expansion reflected the government’s investment in defence manufacturing.
“The expansion of the Rolls-Royce site is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent,” he said.
“Witnessing the manufacturing of the fifth SSN-AUKUS reactor and the hundreds of apprentices in action was inspiring – seeing defence investment creating jobs, driving growth, and keeping the UK safe.”
Rolls-Royce announced plans in 2023 to double the size of its Raynesway site, where it designs and manufactures the nuclear reactors that power every Royal Navy submarine. Under the AUKUS partnership, the company will also supply reactors for Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS submarines.
Commodore Alistair Moody said the expansion reflected the shared commitment of the UK and Australian governments to the submarine build programme.
“The ongoing expansion work at Raynesway demonstrates the shared commitment of the UK and Australian governments to meet the ambitious pace of our submarine build programmes. Together, we are building the foundations for delivery to defend our nations for decades to come,” he said.
“The significant nuclear enterprise investment confirmed in the DIP reflects the UK’s unwavering commitment to maintaining and renewing our nuclear deterrent, a capability that has protected the UK and our allies for almost 60 years. Delivering this work is a National Endeavour and continues to drive growth, strengthen security and sustain tens-of-thousands of jobs across the UK.”
Rolls-Royce Submarines employs more than 5,500 people and designs, manufactures and supports the pressurised water reactors used across the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
The company is currently supplying reactor systems and associated components for the Astute and Dreadnought submarine programmes while providing in-service support from its Derby operations and technical teams located across the UK.
