Nuclear submarines

London signs billion pound deal with Rolls-Royce

The British nuclear submarine HMS Astute

(Bild: AFP/Andy Buchanan)

The British government announced on Friday that it had concluded a deal for nuclear submarine reactors worth nine billion pounds (equivalent to 10.65 billion euros) with the engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce.

According to the Ministry of Defense in London, the eight-year contract covers the development, manufacture and maintenance of nuclear reactors to power the country's nuclear submarines.

Deal secures 4000 jobs
The deal is also expected to secure 4,000 jobs in the UK and create more than 1,000 new ones. At the same time, the deal will promote the country's security and economy, according to London.

Defense Minister: "Ultimate protection"
 The agreement shows that defense can be used as a driver for growth, said Defense Minister John Healey according to the British news agency PA. It was also a commitment to the country's nuclear deterrent potential "as our ultimate safeguard in a more dangerous world".

Submarines also have nuclear weapons on board
The UK operates a fleet of four submarines that are both nuclear-powered and carry nuclear weapons. One of these submarines is constantly patrolling the world's oceans in order to be able to respond to a nuclear attack on the UK if necessary.