Rolls-Royce scores ‘landmark’ $11 billion deal to provide support for UK’s submarine fleet

British multinational defense and aerospace company Rolls-Royce has signed a ‘landmark’ contract with the UK Ministry of Defense (UK MoD), which brings together all elements of research and technology, design, manufacture, and in-service support of the nuclear reactors that power the Royal Navy’s fleet of submarines. 

The Unity contract stretches over eight years, and it is worth circa £9 billion ($11 billion). Under the agreement, the company will provide full support of the in-service of the Royal Navy submarine fleet throughout the period.

It also includes continued support for the building and commissioning of Dreadnought-class submarines and the beginning of the previously announced SSN-AUKUS contracts.

The Dreadnought class is the future replacement for the Royal Navy’s Vanguard class of ballistic missile submarines. The 153.6-meter-long submarines will be powered by a Rolls-Royce nuclear propulsion system known as Pressurised Water Reactor 3 (PWR3). Like its predecessors, they will be capable of launching Trident 2 D5 missiles.

Rolls Royce stated that the contract is “the first of its kind” awarded by the UK MoD and is the culmination of years of planning between the firm and the UK MoD.

“The Unity contract enables our business to work truly collaboratively with the Ministry of Defence, meeting the evolving needs of the UK Royal Navy, further improving reactor plant design, delivery and in-service support, ensuring the continuing security of our nation at a time of global uncertainty,” Steve Carlier, President Rolls-Royce Submarines, said.

“In line with our upcoming defence industrial strategy, this deal with Rolls Royce, a historic British success-story, will support high-skilled UK jobs who equip the thousands of submariners that keep us all safe. We are showing defence can be an engine for growth, while also driving better value for taxpayer money,” Defense Secretary John Healey added.

“National security is a foundation of our government’s plan for change, and this is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent, which is our ultimate insurance policy in a more dangerous world.”