The UK defense ministry has awarded Rolls-Royce Submarines Limited a £235 million (US$309 m) contract to support nuclear propulsion systems on board the current fleet of Trafalgar, Vanguard and Astute class submarines until 2022.
The deal will see the company provide the support, advice and material required to ensure the continued safety and availability of the systems on board the submarines.
During the visit to Rolls-Royce’s site in Raynesway, Derbyshire, UK defense secretary Gavin Williamson also announced that HMS Warspite will be the name of third Dreadnought submarine.
“Rolls-Royce plays a critical role in supporting our submarines and I’m pleased this contract will sustain 500 highly-skilled jobs that help protect our country,” Gavin Williamson said.
In December 2018, the secretary announced a £400m funding boost for the Dreadnought program alongside a £25m BAE Systems academy that will upskill employees working on Royal Navy submarines.
The new Nuclear Propulsion Lifetime Management contract will provide support to the delivery of the continuous at sea deterrent, which reaches the 50th anniversary milestone this year. The jobs sustained by this contract will be predominantly at Rolls-Royce in Derby and satellite offices at HMNB Clyde and HMNB Devonport.
The contract forms part of a wider suite of contracts with Rolls-Royce to provide naval reactor plant design, support, advice and components to the submarine build program and provide enabling services such as infrastructure and IT.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of continuous at sea deterrence and the 60th year of Rolls-Royce involvement in the naval nuclear propulsion program,” Rolls-Royce Submarines president, Steve Dearden said. “The NPLM contract will enable the continuation of our close work with the SDA to deliver Submarine operations for the Royal Navy.”