Rolls-Royce Defence in Australia

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Rolls-Royce Defence in Australia

Learn more about our continued contribution to Australia’s defence capability

A strong heritage

Rolls-Royce has played an important role in the development of Australia’s civil and military aviation for a century and especially since the establishment of the Royal Australian Air Force in 1921. It was in 1917 that the first Rolls-Royce powered aircraft was used by the Australian forces. Named the Bristol Fighter, it was powered by the Rolls-Royce Falcon III engine and used to re-equip No 1 Squadron AFC.

Rolls-Royce Defence in Australia

Rolls-Royce continues to have a significant role to play in Australia through its installed base and strong partnerships, developed over the past century. Today we continue to power a number of aerospace customers in Australia including airlines, business jets, private aircraft and the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Approximately 1,000 Rolls-Royce supplied gas turbine aero engines are in service or on order in Australia.

Rolls-Royce propulsion equipment is extensively used and supported on the Royal Australian Navy’s Armidale Class patrol boats and ANZAC class frigates. In conjunction with our partner KBR we supply a range of integrated material support services to the Royal Australian Navy for the upkeep of its Amphibious fleet of vessels and the new Landing Helicopter Dock Ships, HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide.

Our Australian footprint

With 60 employees in-country, Rolls-Royce has facilities at Canberra and Sydney as well as fleet services personnel at several Australian Airforce bases. Rolls-Royce Power Systems offers a wide-ranging product portfolio including high-speed diesel and gas engines from MTU (a wholly owned subsidiary of Rolls-Royce plc), distributed energy systems from MTU Onsite Energy and medium-speed diesel and gas engines.

Power for Land, Sea and Air – Today and Tomorrow

AE 3007H powered RAAF Triton Unmanned Aircraft

The Royal Australian Air Force is a showcase of Rolls-Royce capability with our Adour, AE 2100, MTR390 and T56 currently in operation across the RAAF fleets. Looking into the future, we will be providing the mission critical power for the RAAF’s MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System which will feature a single AE 3007H engine and also the MC-55A powered by two BR710 engines.

Australian Army Rheinmetall Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle

On land, our MTU brand is a well-established partner in Australia for Land Defence Business with more than five hundred 6V199 engines in country supporting the M113 repower project. The new Rheinmetall’s Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles will be fitted with the MTU 8V199TE20 engines.

Hunter class program

Rolls-Royce remains a key player in Australia for the Commonwealth’s future naval capability.

Our MTU subsidiary is designing the diesel generator rectifier for the future Attack-class submarines being built for the Royal Australian Navy and the new Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel will each feature two MTU 16V 1163 M74R diesel engines.

Some of our most innovative technology is being offered for the new Hunter class program, including our MTU diesel gensets with 20V 4000 M53B engines, the mighty MT30 marine gas turbine, renowned for its superlative high power density and the unique Mission Bay Handling System, providing critical flexibility and adaptability whatever the mission.

As well as this pioneering capability, Rolls-Royce is developing new partnerships to support the Hunter class program in addition to transferring vital engineering experience and technology to support the sustainment of Australia’s sovereign defence capability.