Rolls-Royce has announced it’s expanding its partnership with Melbourne engineering company Marand to supply three enclosures for the MT30 gas turbines which power UK Type 26 warships, including Australia’s Hunter-class frigates.
These enclosures are a significant structure, fully enclosing the engine, providing mechanical support, noise suppression, engine controls, ventilation and the exhaust outlet.
Rolls-Royce Executive Vice President for Business Development and Future Programs Alex Zino said this marked a significant step for Australian sovereign industrial capabilities “anchored in a bond between our nations that runs deep.”
“Today that historic bond takes another step forward not just at sea but on the people and with the people on the factory floor,” he said.
Zino said the Rolls- Royce MT30 gas turbine was the most powerful naval gas turbine in the world.
“The acoustic enclosure and the packaging that goes around it will be built here in Australia at Marand’s facility in Melbourne,” he said.
“That will be the first of many because when you find a company that you can trust, who has the same standards as you, who is transparent, who pushes you to do better and has the same mindset and vision, you want to do more together and to partner and to co-create.”
Zino said this export agreement placed an Australian manufacturer directly into the supply chain for allied naval fleets worldwide.
Marand Chief Executive Officer Rowan Stocker said it was privilege to be able to be able to contribute on both the Type 26 and Hunter programs, building capabilities for the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy and allies for decades to come.
“The Rolls-Royce team has provided continuous support, leadership and encouragement. They have been open to ideas and contribution from our team. We have made a difference on this program,” he said.
“We appreciate their support and we appreciate the opportunity to work with a global defence industry leader,”
Officially opening the new Rolls-Royce regional office in Canberra, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Rolls-Royce was a company which began in 1906 in Manchester and was one of the world’s leading providers of power and propulsion solutions.
“Rolls-Royce is synonymous with excellence. It is a remarkable brand but that can only be the case because it emanates from a remarkable company,” he said.
“Rolls-Royce has a significant presence in the Australian Defence Force today across all three services.”
Thijs Miedema, Rolls-Royce Senior Vice President for the Pacific Rim who runs the new Australian office, said the company’s presence in Australia predated the foundation of the RAAF by two years.
In 1919, four young Australian airmen piloted a World War 1 Vickers Vimy bomber from London to Darwin in the then record time of 27 days. That aircraft was powered by Rolls-Royce Eagle engines.
“That spirit of pioneering, safety and unwavering reliability lives in our business today and that defined our connection to Australia for over a century,” he said.
“Today is about reinforcing and deepening a partnership with the Australian Government, the ADF that is over a century old, local industry.”
Miedema said he had been visiting Australia from Singapore over a decade, listening to feedback from Australian defence leaders who challenged them to be more visible, accessible and engaged.
“We realised that to serve a region that is so dynamic and to truly support our partners, we needed to be right here in this nation’s capital,” he said.