Rolls-Royce job creation plans welcomed as “very positive news”

More than 1,000 jobs are set to be created by Rolls-Royce in Derby due to Australian investment in AUKUS preparation plans, which has been welcomed as “very positive news” for the city and the surrounding region.

The Australian government funding supplements the expansion funding already committed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).

To meet the growth in demand from the Royal Navy, which includes AUKUS commitments, work is already underway to double the size of the Rolls-Royce Submarines site in Raynesway, Derby.

Now jointly funded by UK MOD and the Australian Department of Defence, the expansion work announced last summer will create more than 1,000 jobs in Derby across a range of disciplines, including manufacturing and engineering. It will also involve new manufacturing and office facilities being built on recently acquired land surrounding the existing Raynesway site.

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.

Rolls-Royce Submarines president Steve Carlier said: “Last year we were proud to welcome the Hon Richard Marles MP, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and minister for defence, and UK defence secretary Grant Shapps, to our Raynesway site to showcase some of the world-class manufacturing and engineering capabilities we have developed over the last 60 years.

“This commitment of funding to our existing expansion work shows the trust Australia places on our nuclear expertise and our ability to deliver. We look forward to working with the Australian Submarine Agency to support them in building their own fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.”

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “The huge number of jobs that will be created at Raynesway is very positive news for Derby and the surrounding region.

“This added investment into the project underlines the solid commitment Rolls Royce have placed in the engineering and manufacturing expertise that Derby has in abundance. It’s tremendous to see this opportunity create many highly skilled jobs and continue to position Derby as a leading city in UK manufacturing.

“This will also help grow the region’s economy far beyond Derby, supporting the wider supply chain and giving those within it future stability.”

Source: https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/rolls-royce-job-creation-plans-welcomed-as-very-positive-news