The ground-breaking ceremony at Raynesway, Derby was conducted by Vice-Admiral Sir Andrew Mathews, Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The new facility, which will be a phased-build programme, will replace existing infrastructure and represents the third stage of the Raynesway modernisation project. When operational, the new state-of-the-art facility will produce reactor fuel cores for the UK's current and future Submarines Programme, sustaining 300 highly skilled jobs.
Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mathews, Chief of Materiel (Fleet) at MoD said: "Rolls-Royce has played a vital role in supporting the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine propulsion programme for over 50 years. This significant investment to regenerate the facility, to build our nuclear reactor cores, will ensure that the site continues to do so for decades to come."
Jason Smith, Rolls-Royce, President, Submarines and Chief Operating Officer – Nuclear, said: "We are pleased to begin construction of this important new facility which will use the most advanced manufacturing techniques to enhance our world-leading nuclear manufacturing capability. The investment in this facility demonstrates the high level of trust that the MoD has in both our technology and the expertise of our highly skilled workforce."
Rolls-Royce is the UK's lead company, on behalf of the MOD, in nuclear submarine reactor systems and support services; incorporating design, manufacture, procurement and operation.