Rolls-Royce Submarines Appoints AtkinsRéalis and Mott MacDonald as Fissile Design Partners for Major Expansion

Rolls-Royce Submarines has announced the appointment of AtkinsRéalis and Mott MacDonald as its new fissile design partners, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of its Raynesway site in Derby. Both companies are world-leading engineering consultancies with extensive experience in complex, high-profile projects, and will play a crucial role in the design and construction of nuclear facilities as part of the site’s development.

This expansion comes in response to increased demand from the Royal Navy and the strategic implications of the AUKUS partnership, announced in 2023. Rolls-Royce plans to double the size of its Submarines site, which will involve building new manufacturing and office facilities, and creating over 1,170 skilled roles in various sectors, including engineering and manufacturing.

The work will take place within the nuclear-licensed Raynesway site, adding significant complexity to the project. AtkinsRéalis and Mott MacDonald, as part of the PROPEL joint venture, will be responsible for designing these new fissile facilities and collaborating with the construction partner to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of the project.

Terry Meighan, Rolls-Royce Submarines’ Infrastructure Director, emphasised the importance of the expansion: “This work is of critical national importance. It will enable us to increase our manufacturing speed, helping to deliver the Dreadnought and new SSN-AUKUS attack submarines faster. The combined experience and nuclear expertise of AtkinsRéalis and Mott MacDonald mean our fissile facilities will be designed by a team with a strong commitment to safety and efficiency.”

Andy Smart, Head of Major Projects (Nuclear) at AtkinsRéalis, expressed his enthusiasm about the project, stating: “These facilities will be essential for delivering new submarines safely and swiftly. We are thrilled to be working alongside Mott MacDonald to progress this project, bringing our expertise in nuclear fuel management and defence to bear on the successful delivery of this critical programme.”

Jeremy Reed, Global Practice Leader (Nuclear) at Mott MacDonald, added: “With over 60 years of experience in delivering complex solutions in regulated, safety-critical environments, Mott MacDonald is proud to support Rolls-Royce Submarines in this vital expansion. Our collective expertise, alongside AtkinsRéalis, will ensure the success of this ambitious project.”

The next phase of the expansion will involve selecting a fissile construction partner to bring the designs to life. The chosen firm will be tasked with constructing the new nuclear manufacturing facilities, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.

Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs over 5,000 people and provides in-service support for the reactors powering the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. The company is also supporting the Astute and Dreadnought boat programmes and offers global reactor plant support from its Operations Centre in Derby.