Rolls-Royce Submarines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Siemens to advance digital optimisation and improve engineering efficiency. The agreement, formalised at last month’s
DSEI 2025 event in London, sets out a framework for closer collaboration between the two companies, with the aim of accelerating the production of new technologies while reducing cost and risk in an increasingly complex operational landscape.
The partnership will see Siemens’ trusted software and hardware, delivered through its Xcelerator open business innovation platform, support Rolls-Royce Submarines in meeting UK sovereign defence requirements more effectively. The initiative is expected to enhance productivity, streamline operations and foster a more agile and secure working environment.
Rolls-Royce Submarines, which employs more than 5,000 people, designs, manufactures and supports the pressurised water reactors that power every vessel in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. The collaboration with Siemens will focus on sharing best practice across the digital landscape, with a view to strengthening capabilities in engineering, manufacturing, R&D, training and reactor operation and maintenance.
Lee Warren, engineering and technology director at Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: “Harnessing the power of digital, and collaborating with global experts such as Siemens, will make us more efficient and ultimately provide an enhanced service to the Royal Navy by getting submarines in the sea quicker and accelerating the maintenance of those already in service.”
Adam Raine, IT and digital director at Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: “This collaboration will further enhance our capabilities in the digital space and unlock key improvements in how we deliver on our commitments. We can, in essence, create a ‘digital backbone’ that supports the full lifecycle of nuclear naval reactors.”
Digital transformationBrian Holliday, managing director of digital industries at Siemens UK and Ireland, said: “The agreement strengthens and formalises a 25-year long Siemens and Rolls-Royce relationship. We recognise the potential of industrial technology to unlock productivity in design, manufacturing, operations and supply chain. As technology and the external environment develops at pace, the imperative for closer collaboration and best practice sharing is clear. Siemens commits to deeply understanding the digital transformation and operational challenges faced by Rolls-Royce Submarines, and bringing to bear the full weight of our industry-leading technology stack, sector expertise and wider partner ecosystem.”
Nicole Sturm, global head of aerospace and defence at Siemens, added: “The industry is in need of strong, trusted technology to solve complex manufacturing challenges. By sharing best practice and working together to enhance skills, Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens are accelerating productivity and laying the foundations for factories of the future that are underpinned by cutting-edge digital technologies.”
Rolls-Royce continues to support the Astute and Dreadnought submarine programmes through the delivery of reactor plant and associated components. Its operations centre in Derby provides global frontline support for reactor plant equipment, while additional technical teams operate from Barrow-in-Furness, Devonport, Faslane, Glasgow, Cardiff and a unique test facility in Thurso, Scotland.