Creating over 200 jobs with new offices in Cardiff and Glasgow
In March this year, Rolls-Royce Submarines announced plans to open new offices in Cardiff and Glasgow to attract the best talent and meet growth in demand from the Royal Navy, including the AUKUS agreement.
The locations of satellite offices in Cardiff and Glasgow, funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), were selected to help access the skilled talent pools in both regions, with more than 100 jobs being created in each city.
The increase in demand for technical specialists will see new offices opened in St Mellons, Cardiff, and at the Airport Business Park in Glasgow. The business intends to attract the best engineers and specialists from around the UK to work on a growing portfolio of Defence Nuclear projects.
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 agreement between Australia, the UK and US.
In Cardiff, Rolls-Royce Submarines is looking to attract people with a background in mechanical design, materials engineering, structural integrity analysis, thermal analysis and fluid dynamics.
Steve Carlier, President – Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: "From our commitments to maintaining the UK’s nuclear deterrent through our deliveries into the Dreadnought Programme, to increased demand as a result of AUKUS, this is a time of unprecedented growth for our business. To help us succeed we want to attract the brightest and best from across the UK to help us build a better world with nuclear.
“The work secured from recent announcements will see us support UK and Australian submarines well into the second half of this century, so there has never been a better time to join our industry.”
Rolls-Royce selects Balfour Beatty as construction partner for MOD and AUKUS expansion work in Derby
May 2024 saw Rolls-Royce announce leading international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty as its non-fissile construction partner to help deliver the expansion of its Raynesway site.
In June last year, it was announced that Rolls-Royce is planning to double the size of its Submarines site in Derby to meet the growth in demand from the Royal Navy, and as a result of last year’s AUKUS announcement.
The increase in demand will see new manufacturing and office facilities being built and will create 1,170 skilled roles across a range of disciplines, including manufacturing and engineering. Balfour Beatty will be tasked with building these new facilities and the adjoining site infrastructure. The announcement followed confirmation that leading multi-disciplinary professional services consultancy WSP had been selected as its non-fissile design partner. Balfour Beatty and WSP will work closely over the next decade to bring the Raynesway site expansion plans to life.
Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 4,500 people and designs, manufactures and provides in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power every boat in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
Rolls-Royce is currently supporting the existing Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes through the delivery of reactor plant and associated components. Additionally, it provides frontline support across the world for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby and supports the submarines when in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane.
Government affirms commitment to nuclear deterrent triple lock
In September, the new Government pledged the ‘triple lock’ on the nuclear deterrent will safeguard Britain and NATO for “generations to come”, as Defence Secretary John Healey joined Royal Navy submariners on the UK’s nuclear deterrent returning home from at-sea patrol.
In his first visit to Scotland since being appointed, the Defence Secretary boarded the Vanguard-Class submarine for the final leg of its return journey to HM Naval Base Clyde after completing the UK’s latest patrol.
The mission, known as Operation Relentless, or the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD), ensures that at least one nuclear-powered and armed ballistic missile submarine is at sea at all times to deter potential adversaries and protect the nation and NATO allies.
Defence Secretary, John Healey said: "Royal Navy submariners make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us all safe and it was an honour to thank the crew on behalf of the British people. As they return home, we salute their courage, dedication and professionalism.
"Our new Government is unwavering in our commitment to our nuclear deterrent, maintained on behalf of the UK and our NATO allies. Our ‘triple-lock’ will safeguard Britain for generations to come."
The Government's commitment to the nuclear deterrent triple lock covers:
- The delivery of all future upgrades needed for those submarines to patrol the waters and keep our country safe
- Building four new Dreadnought Class nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furness, supporting high-quality, high-status apprenticeships and jobs, with the supply chain benefits being felt right across the country
- Britain maintaining CASD, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – securing protection for both the UK and NATO allies.
Making waves with the launch of HMS Agamemnon
HMS Agamemnon, the sixth of seven Royal Navy Astute class submarines, was launched at Barrow-in-Furness on 3 October – 123 years to the day the nation’s first submarine was completed in the same yard.
Nicknamed ‘Awesome Aggie’, this was a collaborative effort between the Submarine Delivery Agency, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and the Royal Navy including HMS Agamemnon’s crew.
When she joins the Fleet, HMS Agamemnon will serve at the leading edge of submarine operations into the second half of the 21st Century, shielding the UK’s nuclear deterrent and aircraft carrier task groups from hostile threats. HMS Agamemnon's launch marks a crucial step in the Dreadnought build timeline.
Barrow campus shows significant progress
A year on from the Princess Royal breaking ground at the new Barrow university campus, the construction project is developing. In October the University of Cumbria gave an update on the birth of Barrow-in-Furness as a university town. The University intends to support the expansion of the town’s education, economic and cultural opportunities with its new campus currently under construction.
Funded by the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal, which secured £25 million from the Government's Towns Fund in 2021 for seven projects designed to help Barrow to thrive for generations, work is now progressing to make the two-storey building water and weather tight.
Neighbouring BAE Systems’ Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge (SASK), the campus is a key part of the Barrow Learning Quarter - the largest of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal schemes.
Steve Cole, CIO and Operational Improvement Director at BAE Systems Maritime and Land, and Chair of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board, said: "It is fantastic to see the university campus in Buccleuch Dock Road rising up, ready to soon open up new and exciting opportunities in Barrow.
"All the projects funded through the Brilliant Barrow programme will significantly boost access to education, training and skills, improve levels of health and wellbeing overall and maximise the town’s considerable economic strengths and potential - with the Barrow Learning Quarter playing a key role in meeting those goals. I can't wait to see this campus open and inspiring learners, making Barrow a university town with a prosperous and exciting future ahead."
Thanking the team behind major Dreadnought move
The people behind a major move helped put the mega in 'mega unit' when a major section of the Dreadnought build was moved from BAE Systems' Central Yard Facility (CYF) to the Central Coatings Facility (CCF) in late 2024 to undergo the next phase of work. The move helped the programme achieve a major milestone and demonstrates the breadth of collaboration needed from all teams to enable the programme to deliver on its commitments.
The Programme Delivery Lead for the move said: "It's taken years of work to get to this stage, from fabrication in the New Assembly Shop (NAS), to hot work in the CYF, and numerous tank tests. That's been a monumental effort from all teams, from engineering, planning, and operations.
"The contribution of all the supporting teams has to be commended, showing commitment and determination to achieve this collective milestone. This is a testament to all the individuals involved, often showing resilience and tenacity to make amazing things happen. Thank you and well done to all involved!"
New Glasgow office opening creates more job opportunities
In November, Rolls-Royce Submarines celebrated the opening of its new office in Glasgow, bringing over 100 new jobs to the region.
Opened by the Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, the new office has created 120 specialist roles in electrical controls and instrumentation and cyber security. New starters will support the Dreadnought Programme and other growth in demand from the Royal Navy, including work in support of the AUKUS agreement.
The investment underscores the Government’s commitment to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise – the infrastructure and skills needed to maintain the country’s nuclear deterrent. The new office will play a crucial role in attracting skilled people and supporting regional growth without requiring individuals to relocate.
New quay reaches major milestone
Also in late 2024, a site redevelopment project which is changing the Barrow landscape, the Devonshire Dock Quay, marked a major milestone.
After three years of intense work by the groundworks team, the pile installation phase of the project has come to an end. This constitutes "getting out of the ground". The ever-visible large crane and polymer tanks are now fully demobilised from site. This enables the next major phase of construction, quay concrete works, to commence.
Careers Inspiration Hub celebrates successful first year
December saw BAE Systems' Careers Inspiration Hub in Barrow celebrating one year of providing careers advice and signposting to the breadth of opportunities in the Furness area.
Its first 12 months have seen more than 1,600 people come through the doors and scores of careers launched.
A newer and bigger facility, The Bridge is due to open in January 2025.
Honouring collaborative excellence in support of UK submarine building
BAE Systems' Submariners business has now grown its workforce to over 14,500 in response to increasing demand from the Royal Navy, including the AUKUS agreement.
The year was rounded off with the proud announcement that the Integrated Project Team behind the construction of two key facilities on BAE Systems' Submarines site in Barrow has won the prestigious Institute for Collaborative Working Defence and Security Award, in partnership with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and engineering company March.
This recognition is a testament to the incredible teamwork and dedication of everyone involved. The award, presented in a ceremony at the House of Lords, highlights the commitment to collaboration and innovation in the defence and security sector.
This experience has set a benchmark for the industry by demonstrating how collaborative efforts from all stakeholders lead to significant success in terms of quality, safety, programme, and budget. BAE Systems' Submarines business, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and March, have shared these lessons with the wider industry, earning several awards in related and adjacent sectors.
The challenge of a generation
The Dreadnought Class will be one of the most complex machines ever built and it will operate in one of the most hostile environments on the planet.
As the largest Class of submarine ever built for the Royal Navy, each will boast 26.4 miles of pipework and more than 20,000 cables stretching 215 miles – further than traveling between London and Leeds.
The four Dreadnought Class submarines, each the length of three Olympic swimming pools, will maintain the Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD), responsible for safeguarding our national security and way of life, for as long as the international security situation makes it necessary. The Dreadnought Programme is a truly incredible national endeavour.
