Rolls-Royce signs AUKUS MoUs with Western and South Australian Governments

Image courtesy Rolls-Royce

This marks a significant step forward in Australian preparations for the AUKUS submarine programme, which will provide the nation with their first conventionally armed nuclear navy. It also highlights the unique nuclear expertise Rolls-Royce brings to the AUKUS agreement. 

Under the agreements, both Western and South Australian Governments, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, will co-design and implement initiatives to build a highly-skilled workforce. There will be a particular focus on strengthening the STEM pipelines and addressing critical skills gaps for current and future defence projects.

Rolls-Royce has powered the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines for over 65 years and is expanding its Derby site to support both UK and Australian defence programmes. Rolls-Royce is the only private company in the world with the nuclear capability to manage reactor design, manufacture and decommissioning within one single entity.  

Above: An artist impression of the future AUKUS attack submarines.
Courtesy Rolls-Royce

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.  

The MoUs build on previous engagements, including Rolls-Royce Submarines’ visit to Australia in 2024 and the company’s announcement to double the size of its Derby site to support the AUKUS programme.

In 2022, Rolls-Royce launched their award-winning Nuclear Skills Academy, in partnership with the University of Derby. The academy takes on up to 200 apprentices each year, enabling a pipeline of talent at the start of their careers in support of the Royal Navy Submarines programme. This demonstrates the innovative approach that Rolls-Royce has taken to develop essential skills and capability – learnings from which will inform both MoUs. 

These partnerships with Rolls-Royce will further strengthen both Western and South Australia’s position as critical contributors to the AUKUS alliance.

Steve Carlier, Rolls-Royce Submarines President, said: “We are incredibly proud to play our part in the development of the next generation of attack submarines for the Royal Navy, and equally proud to be supporting Australia in their mission to introduce nuclear powered submarines to their fleet.

“Nuclear submarines bring unsurpassed endurance, range, stealth, power and reliability that still provide the absolute pinnacle of military advantage.

“These MoUs allow us to leverage our decades of experience to help Australia develop a talented workforce and inspire the next generation of Australian nuclear engineers.” 

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas MP said: “South Australia is at the forefront of the nation’s defence industry, but we need to keep growing the skills and capabilities required to meet future defence needs.

“AUKUS presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our state. This MoU will help us build the workforce and industry capability needed to deliver on that opportunity.

“A skilled workforce will be crucial to continuing our state’s leading role in defence project delivery to meet the nation’s growing security challenges, and work must begin on this now.”

Western Australian Defence Industries Minster Paul Papalia CSC MLA: said: “Western Australia is proud to partner with Rolls Royce, a world leader in nuclear reactor maintenance and construction. 

“As the home of our nation’s submarine fleet, Western Australia is focused on the rapidly approaching task of sustaining nuclear-powered submarines from 2027. 

“Collaboration with Rolls Royce will boost efforts to support our allies as part of Submarine Rotational Force – West.”

Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 5,000 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. 

Rolls-Royce is currently supporting the existing Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes through the delivery of reactor plant and associated components. 

It also provides frontline support across the world for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby and supports the submarines when in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane. In addition, there are technical specialists working in offices in Glasgow and Cardiff, with a unique test facility operating in Thurso, Scotland.