Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens Accelerate Digital Engineering

Naval Engineering & Digital Transformation Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens sign strategic agreement to accelerate digital engineering

2025-10-14 Source: Press release 2 min Reading Time

Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance digital engineering and boost efficiency across submarine design, manufacturing and maintenance. The collaboration aims to reduce production time, lower costs, and strengthen sovereign defence capabilities for the United Kingdom.

Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens have signed an MoU to accelerate digital transformation and enhance efficiency in submarine engineering and manufacturing.(Source: Rolls-Royce Submarines press release, September 2025) — Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens have signed an MoU to accelerate digital transformation and enhance efficiency in submarine engineering and manufacturing.
(Source: Rolls-Royce Submarines press release, September 2025)

The agreement, signed at the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) event in London, formalises a long-standing partnership between the two companies and establishes a framework for deeper cooperation on digital optimisation and lifecycle management.

Under the MoU, Siemens’ Xcelerator open business innovation platform will support Rolls-Royce Submarines in developing a “digital backbone” that connects engineering, manufacturing, R&D, training and reactor maintenance. The initiative is expected to improve productivity, accelerate innovation, and reduce risk in an increasingly complex industrial environment.

“Harnessing the power of digital, and collaborating with global experts such as Siemens, will make us more efficient and ultimately provide an enhanced service to the Royal Navy,” said Lee Warren, Engineering & Technology Director, Rolls-Royce Submarines. “It will help us get submarines to sea faster and accelerate maintenance for those already in service.”

Rolls-Royce Submarines employs more than 5,000 people and is responsible for the design, manufacture and in-service support of the pressurised water reactors that power all Royal Navy submarines. The company supports the UK’s Astute and Dreadnought submarine programmes, providing nuclear propulsion technology from its Derby operations centre and maintaining reactor plant systems at naval bases in Devonport and Faslane.

According to Adam Raine, IT and Digital Director at Rolls-Royce Submarines, the agreement will “enhance our capabilities in the digital space and unlock key improvements in how we deliver on our commitments,” creating a unified digital ecosystem across the submarine reactor lifecycle.

Siemens’ Managing Director of Digital Industries in the UK and Ireland, Brian Holliday, added:
“The agreement strengthens a 25-year relationship between Siemens and Rolls-Royce. As technology evolves, the need for deeper collaboration and best practice sharing is clear. Siemens is committed to helping Rolls-Royce Submarines achieve digital transformation through our full technology stack, industry expertise and partner ecosystem.”

Nicole Sturm, Global Head of Aerospace & Defense at Siemens, emphasised the wider industry implications:
“By sharing best practice and working together to enhance digital skills, Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens are laying the foundations for the factories of the future – powered by trusted, high-performance digital technologies.”

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Date: 08.12.2025

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