Jobs boost for East Midlands as Rolls-Royce announces plans to expand Raynesway site

Funded by the MoD, the site development is required to meet the growth in demand from the Royal Navy and as a result the AUKUS announcement.

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 AUKUS agreement between Australia, the UK and US.

The company said that the 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 1,170 skilled roles within Rolls-Royce across disciplines including manufacturing and engineering.

In a statement, Rolls-Royce Submarines president Steve Carlier said: “This is a truly exciting time for our business, with work secured that will see us support UK and Australian submarines well into the second half of this century. It will see thousands of jobs created across the UK supply chain, many of which here in Derby, and we’re proud to be playing our part in this international endeavour.

“For over 60 years we have provided the power to the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines and our expansion plans are the first step in helping Australia acquire their own nuclear propulsion attack submarine capability, while showcasing British innovation and expertise on the world stage.”

Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs over 4,000 people and designs, manufactures and provides in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. In September 2022, the company opened its Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby, which is set to deliver 200 apprenticeships each year for at least the next decade.

Yesterday's announcement (June 13, 2023) comes as outline planning permission is submitted to Derby City Council covering over 100,000 sqm of new floorspace across the Raynesway estate.