Rolls-Royce Submarines has commenced construction on a significant expansion of its Raynesway manufacturing complex in Derby, England, to strengthen nuclear reactor production for next-generation British and Australian submarines.
The development launches a broader initiative to double the facility’s footprint through the addition of more than 100,000 square meters (approximately one million square feet) of new production and office infrastructure.
The expanded site will play a central role in supporting the Royal Navy’s Astute- and Dreadnought-class submarine programs while also manufacturing reactor systems for the Royal Australian Navy’s future SSN-AUKUS fleet.
The groundbreaking event was attended by UK Defence Minister Lord Vernon Coaker, Rolls-Royce Submarines President Abi Clayton, and Royal Navy Commodore Alistair Moody, who oversees nuclear propulsion within the UK’s Submarine Delivery Group.
First unveiled in 2023, the expansion represents a major investment aligned with the AUKUS security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US, underscoring Rolls-Royce’s commitment to meeting increasing demand for naval nuclear propulsion.
The company currently employs more than 5,500 personnel and expects the project to generate around 1,170 new high-skilled roles in engineering, manufacturing, and supporting sectors. As the designer and builder of nuclear reactors for every Royal Navy submarine, Rolls-Royce is also positioned as a principal supplier for Australia’s upcoming SSN-AUKUS submarine program.
