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Helping to power future defence – First Sea Lord thanks Rolls-Royce Staff
27 October 2025
FIRST SEA LORD General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has thanked staff who “power the Navy that protects the nation” during a recent visit to Rolls-Royce Derby.
For the last 62 years the company has designed, manufactured, and supported the naval nuclear reactors which power the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
Generations of vessels, beginning with the Valiant class, carrying through to the Resolution class ballistic submarines and to today’s Vanguard class submarines have been powered by a Rolls-Royce nuclear steam raising plant, or NSRP.
The technology jump-started the age of the submarine, allowing vessels to stay submerged longer, operate more stealthily and to travel incredible distances without the need to refuel.
Today, all Royal Navy submarines – including the Astute Class attack submarines - are nuclear powered, seriously extending the reach, endurance, and effectiveness of our Navy.
Addressing staff at Derby on 15th October, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said that Rolls-Royce provides “the beating heart of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet”.
“Your engineering excellence keeps our deterrent credible and our submariners safe,” said General Jenkins.
“My vision is of a Navy that will lead, fight, and win with a technologically advanced fleet. It will be sustainable, resilient, and ready to meet the challenges of the future battlespace.
My vision is of a Navy that will lead, fight, and win with a technologically advanced fleet. It will be sustainable, resilient, and ready to meet the challenges of the future battlespace.
“Rolls-Royce is key to that vision through skill, innovations, and commitment. Together we will ensure that Britain remains a world leader at sea, today and for generations to come.”
As well as supporting the Royal Navy’s current submarines, the company are also involved in delivering new reactors for the future Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS boats.
In January this year the Ministry of Defence and Rolls-Royce signed the Unity contract, thought to be the biggest contract in the company’s history. Worth £9Bn and stretching over eight years, it brings together elements of research and technology, design, manufacture, and in-service support.
It has led to the expansion of the company’s Rainway site to support the Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS programmes, with the work expected to create 1,000 new jobs and to safeguard around 4,000 existing roles.
Just last month (22 September), the fourth and final Dreadnought class submarine entered production at BAE Systems in Barrow.
On completion, both the Dreadnought class nuclear deterrent submarines and the Royal Navy’s future attack submarines will operate from HM Naval Base Clyde.
The base, on the west coast of Scotland, is currently undertaking a major programme of works which includes the construction of four new single living blocks and the redevelopment of waterfront infrastructure to support the Dreadnought and Astute class submarines and improve the lives of submariners who live and work at the base.