Following an international competitive tender, Rolls-Royce selected Marand to manufacture three additional gas turbine acoustic enclosures and associated ship interface systems for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme. Marand will manufacture and assemble the equipment at its Melbourne facility before supplying the systems to Rolls-Royce.
The agreement extends an existing relationship under which Marand produces the same systems for Australia’s Hunter-class Frigate Programme. Rolls-Royce supplies MT30 gas turbines for both programmes, while completed propulsion packages for the Hunter class are delivered to BAE Systems Australia.
Rolls-Royce engineers are working alongside Marand personnel in Melbourne on the design development, packaging and testing of the MT30 enclosures. The company said localising engine packaging and integration is intended to strengthen Australian sovereign industrial capability and support highly skilled engineering roles.
“This is a transformative step in our partnership with Marand Precision Engineering. Marand was selected from an international field, a testament to the quality of Australian engineering, and it underscores our commitment to bolster Australia’s sovereign capability,” said Alex Zino, Defence Director of Business Development and Future Programmes, UK and International, Rolls-Royce. “We look forward to working closely with Marand, BAE Systems Australia, and our customers around the world.”
“It is a privilege for our team to manufacture and assemble the gas turbine acoustic enclosure and ship interface systems for Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems Australia and ultimately for the Commonwealth. The partnership with Rolls-Royce has been an opportunity to learn from, and deliver an outstanding product with, a global leader in Defence Engineering,” said Rohan Stocker, CEO of ASDAM Group and Marand.
Alongside the Type 26 industrial agreement, Rolls-Royce opened its new regional Defence headquarters in Canberra on 12 August 2026. The facility was formally opened by Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and will oversee markets including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.
Rolls-Royce plans to invest in the Canberra operation over the next five years as it supports defence programmes involving the Australian Defence Force and regional partners. The headquarters will also provide a base for engagement on strategic frameworks including AUKUS.
“Establishing our regional Defence headquarters in Canberra is a critical step forward for Rolls-Royce in the Pacific Rim. While we have long maintained a strong footprint in Australia, this permanent base brings us closer to the heart of the Australian Government and Australian Defence Force leadership,” said Thijs Miedema, Senior Vice President for Defence Pacific Rim, Rolls-Royce.
“It ensures we can provide immediate, collaborative engagement to better support the vital programmes that safeguard Australia and our regional partners.” Rolls-Royce will retain its Sydney office, while fleet services and technical personnel will continue providing on-site operational and engineering support at several Australian Defence Force bases.
