Rolls-Royce has expanded its manufacturing partnership with Australian engineering company Marand Precision Engineering to supply naval gas turbine propulsion packages for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme, while establishing a new regional Defence headquarters in Canberra.
In a news release, the company said Marand was selected following an international tender to manufacture and assemble three additional gas turbine acoustic enclosures and ship interface systems at its Melbourne facility for Rolls-Royce.
The new arrangement builds on Marand’s existing work supplying the same systems for the Commonwealth of Australia’s Hunter-class Frigate Programme. Rolls-Royce will provide MT30 gas turbines under both contracts, with completed propulsion packages delivered to BAE Systems Australia.
The acoustic enclosures provide mechanical support and noise suppression for the MT30 gas turbines, as well as controls, air intake and exhaust, ventilation and auxiliary systems.
Rolls-Royce said its engineers are working alongside Marand’s manufacturing teams in Melbourne on the design development, packaging and testing of the enclosures. The company said the collaboration would support the development of Australian sovereign industrial capability and skilled engineering roles.
“This is a transformative step in our partnership with Marand Precision Engineering,” said Alex Zino, Defence Director of Business Development and Future Programmes, UK and International, Rolls-Royce.
“Marand was selected from an international field, a testament to the quality of Australian engineering, and it underscores our commitment to bolster Australia’s sovereign capability,” Zino said.
Rohan Stocker, CEO of ASDAM Group and Marand, said the company’s team would manufacture and assemble the systems for Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems Australia.
“The partnership with Rolls-Royce has been an opportunity to learn from, and deliver an outstanding product with, a global leader in Defence Engineering,” Stocker said.
Alongside the manufacturing agreement, Rolls-Royce has established a dedicated Defence headquarters in Canberra to serve as the strategic hub for its Defence Pacific Rim operations across Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.
The facility was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles on 12 August. Rolls-Royce said it plans to invest in the facility over the next five years to support engagement with government, defence and industry stakeholders.
Thijs Miedema, Senior Vice President for Defence Pacific Rim at Rolls-Royce, said the Canberra base would bring the company closer to Australian Government and ADF leadership.
“Establishing our regional Defence headquarters in Canberra is a critical step forward for Rolls-Royce in the Pacific Rim,” Miedema said.
Rolls-Royce said the Canberra headquarters would support its work on defence programmes involving the ADF, regional partners and frameworks including AUKUS, while its Sydney office and personnel embedded at ADF bases would continue operating.
The company said the move builds on its existing Australian presence, which includes supplying power systems for land, naval and air forces and providing fleet services and technical support.
