Rolls-Royce outlines job-creating expansion plans

Rolls-Royce has outlined plans to almost double the size of its Raynesway site in Derby, creating hundreds of jobs, in order to meet the growth in demand from the Royal Navy as a result of the AUKUS trilateral agreement.In March 2023, it was confirmed that Rolls-Royce Submarines would provide all the nuclear reactor plants that will power new attack submarines as part of the tri-lateral agreement between Australia, the UK and US.This increase in demand will involve new manufacturing and office facilities being built on recently acquired land surrounding the existing Raynesway site. It will also create 1,170 skilled roles within Rolls-Royce across a range of disciplines, including manufacturing and engineering.Rolls-Royce Submarines president Steve Carlier said: “This is a truly exciting time for our business, with work secured that will see us support UK and Australian submarines well into the second half of this century. It will see thousands of jobs created across the UK supply chain, many of which here in Derby, and we’re proud to be playing our part in this international endeavour.”For over 60 years we have provided the power to the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines and our expansion plans are the first step in helping Australia acquire their own nuclear propulsion attack submarine capability, while showcasing British innovation and expertise on the world stage.”James Cartlidge, minister for defence procurement, added: “This is a crucial investment and a significant next step in ensuring we have the capacity, skills and nuclear expertise to support the UK’s current and future submarine programmes, including the next-generation nuclear-powered submarines for the UK and Australia through our AUKUS partnership.”Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 4,000 people and designs, manufactures and provides in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power every boat in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.Last year Rolls-Royce, with investment from the MoD, opened a Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby. It will provide 200 apprenticeships each year for at least the next decade. This latest announcement comes as outline planning permission is submitted to Derby City Council covering approximately one million sq ft of new floorspace across the Raynesway estate.