Britain has signed a £9 billion contract with Rolls-Royce to develop and produce nuclear reactors for submarines, the UK Ministry of Defence said on Friday.
According to the head of the department John Healey, co-operation with the company will help strengthen the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet and national security. He said:
“This investment in UK defence will provide a long-term boost to British businesses, jobs and national security.”
The contract is called Unity and is for an eight-year term. According to the head of the British Ministry of Defence, the co-operation will create about a thousand new jobs and retain several thousand more.
On January 22, Britain unveiled a new air defence system (ADS) equipped with the US Reconfigurable Integrated-Weapons Platform (RIwP).
According to the developers, RIwP is a unique weapon system that allows users to add and change weapons and sensors as needed. RIwP has an open and modular design, this allows troops to change its “fill” at their discretion and depending on the task at hand.
Healey announced the agreement during a visit to Rolls-Royce’s nuclear reactor factory in Derby. Speaking about the contract, Healey called the investment a cornerstone of the government’s wider defence and economic strategy. The contract aims to support nuclear reactors for submarines, including the new Dreadnought class, which are needed to maintain Britain’s continued deterrence at sea.
Steve Carlier, president of Rolls-Royce Submarines, emphasised the long-term benefits, saying the contract allows the company to “invest in the necessary skills, equipment and facilities to protect the UK’s interests.”
Meanwhile, Chris Gardner, director general of the Submarine Delivery Agency, described the deal as an important step in ensuring the viability and capability of the UK’s submarine fleet.
