A NEW submarine engineering base is set to bring 150 jobs to Coventry.
BAE Systems has cut the ribbon on its new digital engineering hub, which will develop talent to support UK submarine building.
The site will recruit and train engineering expertise from the area to support active vessels and help deliver the Astute, Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS-Class submarines.
The hub was opened by Steve Timms, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, and Rear Admiral Paul Carroll, Director of Submarine Acquisition at the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA).
Mr Timms said: “The opening of our new Coventry office marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in BAE Systems’ engineering journey and the work that will take place here, now and in the future will be important as we deliver next-generation submarines to the Royal Navy.
“The wealth of expertise, experience and talent in the Midlands will directly contribute to a truly national endeavour on work that the region can be proud of.”
Engineers in Coventry will help develop the systems which sit at the heart of all Royal Navy nuclear submarines being built at the company’s shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Rear Admiral Carroll said: “Delivering the Dreadnought programme, whilst also increasing the capacity and capability of the UK’s submarine industrial base, means that we need to continue investing in talent and expertise across the entire country.
“The Midlands hub is an example of this ambition and is making our national endeavour even further reaching. As someone who grew up and completed their engineering training in this part of the country, I’m delighted to see this initiative come to life – melding naval and industrial expertise and innovation such that our sailors have the best possible support 24 hours-a-day.”
The workforce is being recruited from a wide range of sectors including finance, automotive and sales, as well as defence veterans.
The new facility is based at Ansty Park business complex, neighbouring the advanced manufacturing and innovation organisation MTC.
Sir Rick Thompson, Managing Director of Defence at MTC, said: “The Midlands is one of the country’s top innovation regions and BAE Systems’ new office in Coventry is testament to the area’s strength in developing industrial technology and defence collaborations that attract investment and jobs.
“The colocation of BAE Systems and MTC’s manufacturing experts offers huge benefits and strengthens our partnership as they expand their operations in the country, and we work together to further enhance the region’s credentials as an R&D hub.”
The UK Government’s recent Strategic Defence Review reaffirmed the delivery of four Dreadnought Class boats, scheduled to enter into service in the early 2030s. In Barrow, the final two Astute Class boats are moving closer to completion.
