News

At today's Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 event in London, Premier Peter Malinauskas signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Rolls-Royce to formalise the commitment to collaborate on workforce development, skills training, and critical technologies to support South Australia's growing defence sector.

The MOU marks a significant step forward in the state's preparations for the AUKUS submarine program, which will provide Australia with their first conventionally armed nuclear navy.

It also highlights the unique nuclear expertise Rolls-Royce brings to the AUKUS agreement.

Under the agreement, the South Australian Government and Rolls-Royce will co-design and implement initiatives to build a diverse and highly skilled workforce, with a particular focus on strengthening the STEM pipeline and addressing critical skills gaps for current and future defence projects.

This MOU complements existing Australian and South Australian Government funded defence industry workforce development initiatives, including those funded through the SA Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan.

Rolls-Royce has powered the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines for over 65 years and is expanding its Derby site to support both UK and Australian defence programs.

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 AUKUS agreement.

The MoU builds on previous engagement, including Rolls-Royce’s visit to Adelaide in 2024 and the company’s announcement to double the size of its Derby site to support the AUKUS program.