Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
UK and Rolls-Royce agree £2.5bn jet engine programme
The UK government and Rolls-Royce agreed a £2.5bn programme to develop new jet engine technology over 10 years.
The work is aimed at single-aisle passenger planes and military aircraft, and includes engines that are more efficient and produce lower emissions.
Single-aisle planes are a major growth opportunity for the aerospace industry, and manufacturers are expected to choose engine partners over the next few years.
The programme is expected to support 3,300 UK jobs by the end of 2029, with tens of thousands more possible if Rolls-Royce secures an engine role on future passenger planes.
The jobs could span research, engineering and manufacturing, with most expected outside London and the South East.
The agreement also aims to maintain UK expertise in developing and testing engines for military aircraft.
The programme still requires a final agreement, and Rolls-Royce says it would select UK sites for new assembly and testing facilities if its engine technology is chosen.
The UK Government and Rolls-Royce have announced a joint 10-year, £2.5 billion programme to develop jet engine technologies for civil and defence aerospace.
The programme aims to help Rolls-Royce secure a place on the next generation of single-aisle commercial aircraft and to support UK aerospace and manufacturing.
The initial stages are expected to support 3,300 UK jobs at Rolls-Royce and its supply chain by the end of 2029.
Securing an engine position on new aircraft could lead to tens of thousands more jobs and add £120 billion to the UK economy over the programme’s lifetime, according to the companies and government.
- Who
- The UK Government and Rolls-Royce.
- What
- They announced a joint 10-year, £2.5 billion programme for jet engine research and technology. It aims to develop more efficient, lower-emission engines for civil and defence aerospace.
- When
- Announced on 28 October 2026.
- Where
- In the UK; the programme is intended to support jobs and manufacturing across the country.
- Why
- To develop next-generation engine technologies, compete for a place on future single-aisle aircraft, and support UK aerospace and defence capabilities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The UK Government and Rolls-Royce announced the joint 10-year, £2.5 billion programme.
Manufacturers are expected to select engine partners for new single-aisle aircraft.
Initial stages of the plan are expected to support 3,300 UK jobs at Rolls-Royce and supply chain partners.
New single-aisle aircraft are expected to enter commercial service.
- Programme value
- £2.5 billion
- Programme duration
- 10 years
- Jobs supported by end of 2029
- 3,300 UK jobs
- Potential economic contribution
- £120 billion over the programme’s lifetime
- Aircraft market
- Single-aisle, also known as narrowbody
- Expected aircraft service entry
- Mid-to-late 2030s
5 sources
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What people are saying
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