The plan, which remains subject to final agreement, comes as aircraft manufacturers prepare to choose engine partners for new single-aisle jets. Those decisions are expected over the next few years, ahead of potential aircraft launches around the turn of the decade and entry into service in the mid-to-late 2030s.
Rolls-Royce wants to re-enter the narrowbody market in partnership if manufacturers select its technologies. The programme would advance more efficient, lower-emission gas turbines, including through an engine demonstrator project.
“This is a landmark moment for the UK’s aerospace industry. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lay the foundations for decades of sustainable economic growth across the UK, creating high-value jobs and transforming the country’s advanced manufacturing supply chain,” said Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of Rolls-Royce.
The UK government’s Industrial Strategy identifies narrowbody aircraft as the largest growth opportunity in aerospace over the next 50 years. According to the announcement, securing a UK engine position could attract billions of pounds in further investment over subsequent decades and add £120 billion to the UK economy over the programme’s lifetime.
The initial stages would support 3,300 UK jobs at Rolls-Royce and its supply chain partners by the end of 2029. Securing a position on new narrowbody aircraft could create tens of thousands more highly skilled jobs, and the company and government will draw up a joint jobs and skills development plan.
Rolls-Royce expects to invest significantly more than the government across the narrowbody programme, though the announcement did not specify their respective contributions. University departments would also carry out research under the investment plan.
If its technologies are chosen, Rolls-Royce would select UK sites for new engine assembly and testing facilities and increase manufacturing capacity for components such as high-pressure turbine blades and advanced composite fan blades. The company said suppliers would also need to build new factories, with Rolls-Royce and the government working to maximise opportunities for UK businesses.
Alongside the commercial opportunity, the programme would sustain capabilities needed to develop and test military aircraft engines. Erginbilgic said: “Working together, we can also sustain the nation’s capability to power military aircraft and secure its position as one of only two countries that can design, develop, make and service the jet engines that power the world’s commercial airliners.”
