Rolls-Royce wins £1 bilion MoD order

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has signed a contract worth more than £1 billion with the Ministry of Defence to deliver reactor cores for the UK’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet. The contract includes the regeneration of the current Rolls-Royce submarine reactor-core manufacturing facility in Derby; it could also lead to the creation of hundreds of new jobs.

The move is a major boost for manufacturing in the area following the blow to the nearby Bombardier train-making plant last year when the Government allowed the Thameslink contract to go to Siemens in Germany. The backlash against the Government should a second major contract have evaded the city is thought to have been a factor in the MoD’s decision, although nothing has been said officially.

In a statement, Rolls-Royce said it would introduce the latest technology and manufacturing techniques to deliver increased efficiencies demanded by the MoD and industry as part of the Strategic Defence & Security Review.
Jason Smith, Rolls-Royce president (submarines) and chief operating officer (nuclear), said: “This is excellent news that demonstrates the high level of trust the MoD has in both our technology and the expertise of our highly skilled workforce. This new facility will deploy advanced manufacturing techniques to enhance our world-leading
nuclear manufacturing capability.”

Rolls-Royce is the UK’s lead company in respect of nuclear submarine reactor systems and support services, incorporating design, manufacture, procurement and operation.