A £9 billion deal for nuclear submarine reactors was announced this morning between the Ministry of Defence and Rolls-Royce, the biggest-ever agreement between the two. The eight-year contract, called Unity, is to design, make and provide support services to nuclear reactors that power the Royal Navy’s fleet of submarines. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, says the deal will make British reactors both greener and more efficient.
A difficult battle looms between John Healey and Chancellor Rachel Reeves
‘It’s a boost to British jobs, British business. It’s a boost to our nuclear deterrent,’ he told Sky on a visit to the Rolls-Royce plant in Derby. ‘It really shows the way that defence is part of the engine for economic growth in this country.’
The deal will also bolster the Aukus defence alliance and supports the building of the Dreadnought class of nuclear submarines. It is expected to create 1,000 jobs and safeguard 4,000 others.
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