Landmark £9bn deal supports Royal Navy submarine fleet and bolsters national security

A deal worth billions is set to bolster support for the Royal Navy's fleet of nuclear submarines, boosting national security and economic growth and delivering on the Government's broader Plan for Change.

The £9bn contract with Rolls-Royce Submarines – dubbed Unity – will deliver the design, manufacture and support services to nuclear reactors to power the vessels. 

Defence Secretary John Healey announced the deal during a visit to Rolls-Royce's nuclear reactor production facility in Derby.

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The announcement bolsters Britain's security as a foundation of the Government's Plan for Change, will strengthen the historic Aukus partnership – between the UK, US and Australia –  and, in line with the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, will drive significant UK economic growth over many years. 

The Defence Secretary used his visit to Rolls-Royce to reinforce the Government's commitment to the 'triple-lock' on the nuclear deterrent, which includes building four new nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, maintaining the continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, and delivering all future upgrades needed.

"This investment in Britain's defence will deliver a long-term boost to British business, jobs and national security," said Mr Healey.

"In line with our Plan for Change, this deal with Rolls-Royce, a historic British success story, will support high-skilled UK jobs who equip the thousands of submariners that keep us all safe. We are showing defence can be an engine for growth, while also driving better value for taxpayer money.

"National security is a foundation of our government's Plan for Change, and this is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the UK's nuclear deterrent, which is our ultimate insurance policy in a more dangerous world," he added.

Steve Carlier, president of Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: "We're delighted to announce the Unity contract, which confirms our commitment to the Royal Navy and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise."

The current nuclear deterrent submarines are Vanguard class, and the new incoming type is Dreadnought class – they both carry nuclear ballistic missiles and are powered by Rolls-Royce nuclear reactors.

HMS Dreadnought is expected to enter service in the early 2030s and will carry Trident nuclear missiles which are capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads.