Rolls-Royce Submarines has entered into a strategic partnership with Derby-based
Infinity to develop advanced manufacturing capabilities that will support the UK's submarine programmes and strengthen sovereign defence industrial capacity.
The agreement will see the two organisations collaborate on the development of large-scale prototypes for advanced defence components at Infinity’s planned 200-acre technology park in Derby, which is being created as a hub for full-scale prototyping, digital engineering, testing, validation, skills development and supply chain collaboration.
The partnership comes as Rolls-Royce Submarines continues to expand its naval nuclear propulsion activities, driven by increasing demand from UK submarine programmes and commitments under the AUKUS agreement with Australia.
A key element of the project will be the introduction of advanced manufacturing technologies and processes, including hot isostatic pressing, power beam welding and additive manufacturing. The partners say these capabilities will help accelerate product development, reduce material usage and lower manufacturing costs while increasing production capacity.
The new facilities are expected to shorten development cycles for large and strategically important components destined for sectors including defence, aerospace, fission and fusion energy. They will also provide additional industrial capacity to support the UK's submarine programmes and enhance national resilience in critical manufacturing areas.
The Rolls-Royce Nuclear Skills Academy already operates from the Derby site, and the latest agreement will see further capabilities established as part of the wider technology park development.
Infinity is bringing together industrial partners, specialist suppliers, universities and skills providers to create a collaborative environment designed to support companies operating at high Technology Readiness Levels. By providing access to advanced facilities and expertise in a single location, the development aims to help organisations scale up technologies and meet the stringent requirements of highly regulated industries.
The project is expected to create around 17,500 skilled jobs, providing a significant boost to the East Midlands economy and reinforcing Derby's position as a centre for advanced engineering and nuclear technology.
Lee Warren, engineering and technology director at Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: "As our business grows to meet the demand for our naval nuclear propulsion work, including increasing our manufacturing drumbeat and providing reactors to Australia as part of the AUKUS agreement, we need to ensure we are continually exploring new technologies.
"For over 65 years we have designed, developed, manufactured, and maintained the reactors that power the UK's fleet of nuclear submarines and we have done this by balancing consistent delivery with exploring future innovations.
"The Infinity technology park means we can focus on delivery at our Raynesway site in Derby, while continuing to lead the way in advanced manufacturing techniques for the next generation of nuclear power from purpose-built facilities. It further enhances Derby's reputation as a hub for nuclear expertise."
Professor Gary Jones, chief executive of Infinity, said the partnership aligns closely with the organisation's mission to support domestic production of strategically important components.
"A key objective of Infinity is to support sovereign manufacture of advanced components and this agreement will help to achieve that by providing new capabilities for the UK Defence programme," he said.
"The role for Infinity is to provide new capabilities for advanced manufacturing scale-up to support UK Defence. I am very proud to announce our partnership and look forward to working with Rolls-Royce Submarines."
The announcement follows a separate strategic partnership between Infinity and UK Fusion Energy, the organisation responsible for delivering the UK's first prototype fusion power plant. That collaboration will help shape future capabilities at the Derby site around the requirements of the STEP Fusion programme at West Burton in Nottinghamshire.
Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 5,500 people and is responsible for designing, manufacturing and supporting the pressurised water reactors that power every submarine in the Royal Navy fleet. The company is supporting both the Astute and Dreadnought programmes while continuing to provide reactor support services from sites across the UK.
Pic: Artist's impression of the technology park headquarters