Rolls-Royce has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State of Victoria, Australia that outlines a commitment to collaborate on developing Victoria’s defence industry skills, supply chain, and innovation eco-system, to support the AUKUS submarine program.
Developing nuclear skills will be a particular focus, with plans to establish Rolls-Royce-affiliated skills and training academies being explored. This would build on the success of the award-winning Rolls-Royce Nuclear Skills Academy which opened in Derby, UK, in 2022. It has seen up to 200 apprentices enrolled on apprenticeships each year, creating a pipeline of nuclear talent at the start of their careers to support the UK Royal Navy.
The agreement will also look to support launching specific research and development initiatives, including the establishment of Rolls-Royce University Technology Centres and affiliated research clusters, in collaboration with Victorian universities.
Following similar agreements signed with Western and South Australian Governments in September 2025, this marks a significant step forward in Australia’s preparations for operating its first conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines. It also highlights the unique nuclear expertise Rolls-Royce brings to the AUKUS agreement.
Victoria is at the forefront of research and innovation in Australia. The State hosts eight world-leading universities with advanced research and development capabilities. In December 2024, Victoria released its Economic Growth Statement, which backs its defence-oriented supply chain to win work, grow and support AUKUS. This includes increases in investment and trade facilitation, uplifts in small and medium-sized enterprises, workforce development initiatives, and bolstering innovation adoption.
To this aim, the collaboration agreement will also look to facilitate opportunities with Victorian small and medium enterprises, to strengthen the State’s defence supply chain and broader industrial capabilities.
Rolls-Royce has powered the UK Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines for over 65 years and is expanding its Derby site to support both UK and Australian defence programs. Rolls-Royce is the only private company in the world with the nuclear capability to manage reactor design, manufacture and decommissioning within one single entity.
In March 2023, it was confirmed that Rolls-Royce Submarines would provide all the nuclear reactor plants that will power new attack submarines as part of the tri-lateral agreement between Australia, the UK and US.