The Allan Labor Government is supporting the highly skilled defence industry in Victoria, signing an agreement with Rolls-Royce.
Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks today attended a signing ceremony at the Indo Pacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney to formalise a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Rolls-Royce to bolster Victoria's defence industry skills, supply chain and innovation.
Under the agreement, the Labor Government will work with Rolls-Royce to facilitate supply chain opportunities for Victorian companies and support Victoria's contribution to AUKUS Pillars 1 & 2, developing the workforce's skills and technology.
Rolls-Royce has powered the UK Royal Navy's nuclear submarines for more than 65 years and is expanding its Derby site to support UK and Australian defence programs. Rolls-Royce is the only private company in the world with the ability to design, manage, manufacture and decommission reactors within one single entity.
As part of the AUKUS agreement, Rolls Royce Submarines Ltd will provide the nuclear energy infrastructure to power the submarines.
The Victorian Defence Vision Statement outlines the Labor Government's vision to leverage the state's nation-leading capabilities in advanced manufacturing, workforce talent and defence-related research and development, which contribute around $10.9 billion annually to our economy and employ over 29,000 workers across Victoria.
Released last year, the Economic Growth Statement aims to back Victoria's defence supply chain to grow, win work and contribute to AUKUS.
As stated by Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks
"This agreement with Rolls-Royce will help us support our defence sector and the 29,000 jobs it backs."
"This partnership capitalises on Victoria's strengths as a knowledge powerhouse and will drive further investment in our state."
As stated by RRS President Steve Carlier
"This collaboration agreement will bring together the world-leading research and innovation capabilities of Victoria with our own established nuclear expertise to support Australia in their mission to introduce nuclear powered submarines to their fleet.
"This agreement allows us to support Australia in establishing a sustainable supply chain in-country, while developing home-grown nuclear talent and well-paid careers for Australian people."
