Rolls-Royce Seals Major Propulsion Contract

Rolls-Royce will supply MTU propulsion systems for five new Type 31 general-purpose frigates for the Royal Navy.

All told, 40 engines and generator sets will be used for main propulsion and on-board power generation, the MTU Callosum propulsion control and monitoring system, and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). Each new frigate will be powered by four MTU 20V 8000 M71 engines, each delivering over 8000 kW. On-board power will be provided on each vessel by four MTU generator sets based on 16V 2000 M41B units, each delivering in excess of 900 kW. In September 2021, Rolls-Royce will deliver the first shipset comprising four main propulsion engines and four generator sets to prime contractor Babcock International Group. Integrated Logistics Support for propulsion and onboard power systems will ensure efficient and cost-effective maintenance throughout their entire service life. It is expected that the MTU Callosum propulsion control and monitoring system will be officially added to the supply contract very shortly.

“We’re delighted to welcome Rolls-Royce with its MTU solutions as a supplier to our Type 31 Program,” said Sean Donaldson, managing director for Energy & Marine at Babcock International. “Its engines and on-board generator sets are already proving their mettle in numerous comparable vessels worldwide.”

Knut Müller, vice president Marine & Defense at Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems, said MTU products are now featured in almost all current and future projects of the Royal Navy.

“That is impressive proof of the trust our British partners place in us and of the reliability and flexibility of our products,” he said.

The Royal Navy relies on Rolls-Royce propulsion solutions across its surface and submarine fleets. MTU Series 2000, 4000 and 8000 units will feature in future in most Royal Navy warships – in destroyers (Type 45), all frigate classes (Type 23, 26, 31) and submarines (Astute class).