Rolls-Royce has secured a contract, valued at approximately £9bn ($11.09bn), with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to enhance the support for the Royal Navy's fleet of nuclear submarines.

The contract, known as 'Unity', represents the largest MoD contract in Rolls-Royce's history and is expected to bolster national security while contributing to economic growth.

Spanning eight years, the Unity contract consolidates research and technology, design, manufacturing, and in-service support for the nuclear reactors intended for the Royal Navy's submarines.

This initiative aims to simplify processes and improve efficiency, yielding better outcomes for the Royal Navy.

Rolls-Royce Submarines president Steve Carlier said: “This long-term contract enables us to invest in the right skills, equipment, and facilities to play our part in protecting UK interests at home and overseas.

“The Unity contract enables our business to work truly collaboratively with the Ministry of Defence, meeting the evolving needs of the UK Royal Navy, further improving reactor plant design, delivery and in-service support, ensuring the continuing security of our nation at a time of global uncertainty.”

The agreement also encompasses ongoing support for the construction and commissioning of Dreadnought-class submarines and the initiation of the SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarines contracts.

By integrating current and future projects into a single portfolio, Unity is designed to incentivise partnership and streamline decision-making.

As part of the agreement, Rolls-Royce Submarines will create an additional 1,000 new roles by the end of the contract, contributing to job creation and safeguarding 4,000 other positions.

This aligns with the UK government's Plan for Change and supports the objectives of the new Defence Industrial Strategy by fostering a closer partnership with industry.

UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey said: “This investment in Britain’s defence will deliver a long-term boost to British business, jobs and national security.

“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.”

In November 2024, Rolls-Royce Submarines launched new skills office in Glasgow to strengthen the UK’s nuclear engineering capabilities.