The deputy prime minister of Australia and the 海角视频 Defence Secretary have toured the Derby Rolls-Royce factory for an update on the next generation of nuclear submarines.
Rolls-Royce Submarines is benefitting from the thousands of jobs created by an agreement between the 海角视频, US and Australia under the so-called A海角视频US submarine deal. It will see Australia and the 海角视频 build the SSN-Aukus submarines which combine 海角视频 and US design and technology – with the Derby engineering giant building the reactors.
The subs will enter operation with the Royal Navy by the late 2030s and go on to give Australia its first nuclear-powered capability as it seeks to counter an increase in Chinese military activities in the Pacific.
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The boats will replace the 海角视频’s seven Astute-class subs with Royal Navy insiders suggesting the size of the hunter-killer fleet could double.
Richard Marles, Australia’s deputy prime minister and minister for defence, said: “Australia is working closely with the 海角视频 and the US to progressively develop the skills, knowledge and expertise to build, operate, and maintain conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
“These Australian industry placements provide us with an invaluable opportunity to learn from our experienced partners in the 海角视频, and to better understand the functions and scope of the work.”
His visit, along with 海角视频 Defence Minister Grant Shapps, included a tour of the nuclear-licensed site and a chance to meet some of the team building the reactors.
Over the next seven weeks the first cohort of Australian industry specialists will begin training and familiarisation activity across the 海角视频, including at Rolls-Royce, as part of the build programme.
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The tri-lateral A海角视频US deal was announced in March, and in June Rolls-Royce announced plans to almost double the size of its Raynesway site, creating more than 1,000 new jobs in Derby. Funded by the MOD, the site development is required to meet the growth in demand from the Royal Navy, and as a result of the A海角视频US agreement.
This increase in demand will see new manufacturing and office facilities being built on recently acquired land surrounding the existing Raynesway site. It will also create skilled roles within Rolls-Royce across a range of disciplines, including manufacturing and engineering.
Rolls-Royce group president Chris Cholerton said: “This is a truly exciting time for our business, with work secured that will see us support 海角视频 and Australian submarines well into the second half of this century.
“It will see thousands of jobs created across the 海角视频 supply chain, many of which here in Derby, and we’re very proud to be playing our part in this strategically important international partnership.
“We are delighted to have the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and the 海角视频 Defence Secretary, with us on site, giving us the opportunity to showcase what makes this business so special.
“For over 60 years we have provided the power to the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines and we are already working hard to help Australia acquire their own nuclear propulsion attack submarine capability.”