The company said the partnership builds on relationships spanning more than two decades with all three organisations. It is described as one of the largest supply chain contracts in the history of Rolls-Royce Submarines and is intended to help meet growing demand from the Ministry of Defence and other future requirements.
The announcement follows confirmation in March 2023 that Rolls-Royce Submarines will supply nuclear reactor plants for new attack submarines under the AUKUS agreement between Australia, the UK and the United States. In response to this increased demand, Rolls-Royce plans to double the size of its Raynesway site in Derby, creating more than 1,000 skilled roles and further jobs throughout the supply chain.
Rolls-Royce has powered the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet for more than 65 years and is the only private-sector organisation globally that designs, manufactures and decommissions submarine reactor technology within a single capability. The company currently provides in-service support and technical expertise through facilities in Derby, Barrow-in-Furness, Devonport, Faslane, Glasgow, Cardiff and Thurso.
Chris Walker, Supply Chain Director at Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: “We are in a nuclear renaissance across the UK and demand for this expert capability is growing all the time. The intent behind this strategic alliance is to harness the collective capabilities of each party to successfully deliver complex nuclear programmes and explore advanced nuclear technologies.” He added: “We recognise that if we want to grow our business and maintain our critical commitments to the Ministry of Defence, then we cannot do it alone. Our decades-long relationships with Assystem, AtkinsRéalis and Frazer-Nash see the partners ideally placed to support us, bringing unique insight across the capability landscape.”
Keith Beckett, Deputy CEO and AUKUS Director for the Submarine Delivery Agency, said: “This partnership exemplifies the Defence Industrial Strategy in action. By uniting leading UK nuclear expertise through CASP, we’re strengthening our industrial base to deliver the submarine capabilities our nation requires.” He continued: “The Submarine Delivery Agency welcomes this investment in nuclear skills and collaboration with UK businesses that will enable us to deliver available and capable submarines to the Royal Navy and meet our commitment to our AUKUS partners.”
Chris Conboy, AtkinsRéalis Managing Director – Nuclear EMEA, stated: “The UK is investing significantly in its defence capabilities, and nuclear remains at the heart of national security. Through the Capability Assured Strategic Partnership, Rolls-Royce Submarines can draw on deep, multi-disciplinary expertise, including AtkinsRéalis’ end-to-end experience in complex nuclear programmes.” He added: “This partnership builds on our longstanding relationship with Rolls-Royce Submarines, enabling the successful delivery and safe operation of future submarine propulsion capability to the UK and our allies.”
Simon Barber, Assystem UK Managing Director, said: “Assystem is proud to strengthen our trusted partnership with Rolls-Royce Submarines through the CASP framework. As a partner to Rolls-Royce for several decades, Assystem, alongside its strategic partners, is providing real value for the successful delivery of their industry commitments and ambitious growth plans.” He added: “The CASP framework will play a key role in the delivery of the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy for which Assystem is fully supportive. As a global nuclear player with 60 years’ experience, Assystem will bring its full life-cycle expertise and capability in engineering, project management, and innovative digital solutions to support the long-term success of the CASP framework.”
Frazer-Nash Managing Director Sarah Wilkes said: “At Frazer-Nash we talk about solving challenges that matter and there aren’t many more important than national security.” She added: “CASP is an exciting development which will see us working closer and better with RRSL and our partners at AtkinsRealis and Assystem, combining our expertise and specialisms in new ways to help keep the UK safe.”
Rolls-Royce Submarines employs more than 5,000 personnel and continues to support the Astute and Dreadnought submarine programmes through the supply of reactor plants and associated components. The company also delivers global operational support for submarine reactor equipment and technical services across the UK naval infrastructure.
