The U.K. Ministry of Defence has awarded a £9 billion contract to Rolls-Royce Submarines to design, manufacture, and provide support for nuclear reactors that will power the Royal Navy's submarine fleet.
The deal, referred to as the Unity contract, was announced by Defence Secretary John Healey during a visit to Rolls-Royce's nuclear reactor production facility in Derby. The initiative aligns with the government’s Plan for Change, aimed at enhancing national security and driving economic growth. The agreement includes contributions to the Defence Industrial Strategy and reinforces the Aukus partnership involving the U.K., U.S., and Australia.
The new reactors will power both the current Vanguard-class submarines and the upcoming Dreadnought-class vessels, which are expected to enter service in the early 2030s. The Dreadnought class will carry Trident nuclear missiles capable of multiple warheads, maintaining the U.K.'s continuous at-sea deterrent.
Healey emphasized the government's commitment to the nuclear deterrent, which includes building four Dreadnought-class submarines in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and supporting upgrades to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.