Rolls-Royce Submarines has opened its new Glasgow office funded by the U.K. Ministry of Defence to enhance support for the Astute- and Dreadnought-class boat build programs and other Royal Navy requirements under the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.
“The opening of the new Rolls-Royce office in Glasgow is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to the U.K.’s nuclear deterrent,” said Maria Eagle, minister for defense procurement and industry, who inaugurated the facility at the Airport Business Park on Friday.
The company was selected in March 2023 to deliver all the nuclear reactor plants and related components to power new Astute- and Dreadnought-class attack submarines. Currently, it employs 5,000 people to design, manufacture and provide in-service support to the pressurized water reactors powering the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
Nuclear Engineering Expertise
According to the British government, the Rolls-Royce office will enhance the United Kingdom’s nuclear engineering capabilities and boost the local economy by creating over 100 jobs for the skilled talent pools in the region. The facility’s establishment aligns with the commitment to renew the U.K.’s defense capabilities and support existing commitments to international alliances and partnerships, including NATO and AUKUS.
Steve Carlier, president of Rolls-Royce Submarines, praised the strength of the local workforce’s expertise and what this can accomplish as part of the defense contractor headquartered in Derbyshire, central England.
“The work we do for the Royal Navy is of critical strategic importance and to deliver it, we need to harness talent from across the U.K., not just from our base in Derby,” the executive said. “The opening of our Glasgow office allows us to benefit from the region’s strong pedigree in electrical engineering and add to our own existing pool of nuclear experts.”