Rolls-Royce has expanded its partnership with Australian engineering company Marand Precision Engineering through a new export programme for naval gas turbine propulsion packages for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme. The company has also opened a new regional Defence headquarters in Canberra, strengthening its presence in Australia and the wider Pacific Rim. The facility was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles on August 12, 2026.
Under the expanded partnership, Marand will manufacture and assemble three additional gas turbine acoustic enclosures and related ship interface systems for the Type 26 programme at its Melbourne facility. The components will then be supplied to Rolls-Royce.
The agreement builds on Marand’s existing contract to supply similar systems for Australia’s Hunter-class Frigate Programme. Rolls-Royce supplies its MT30 marine gas turbines for both programmes, while mtu power generation systems form part of the broader naval propulsion package supporting the Hunter-class vessels.
The acoustic enclosure provides mechanical support for the gas turbine and includes systems for noise reduction, controls, air intake, exhaust, ventilation and auxiliary services. Rolls-Royce engineers are working alongside Marand’s manufacturing teams in Melbourne on design development, system packaging and testing. The companies said the partnership would support Australian sovereign defence manufacturing capabilities while creating opportunities for highly skilled engineering and manufacturing work in Victoria.
Alex Zino, Defence Director of Business Development and Future Programmes, UK and International, Rolls-Royce, said the expanded partnership demonstrates the strength of Australian engineering and supports the development of sovereign defence capabilities. Marand CEO Rohan Stocker said the company was pleased to manufacture and assemble the systems for Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia.
The new Canberra headquarters will serve as Rolls-Royce Defence’s regional hub for Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. The company plans to invest in the facility over the next five years to strengthen engagement with governments, defence organisations and industry partners across the region. Thijs Miedema, Senior Vice President, Defence Pacific Rim, Rolls-Royce, said the Canberra base would bring the company closer to Australian government and defence leadership and support major national security programmes.
Rolls-Royce already has an established presence in Australia, supplying propulsion and power systems for land, naval and air platforms. Its products support aircraft including the RAAF Hawk, C-130J, C-27J, MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine. Its naval portfolio also includes the MT30 gas turbine and mtu power generation systems for the Royal Australian Navy. The company is also involved in the AUKUS programme, with Rolls-Royce Submarines set to provide reactor technology for Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines.
Marand, headquartered in Victoria, designs and manufactures equipment for defence, aerospace, mining, rail and energy industries. It operates facilities in Australia and the United States and is part of the ASDAM Group, which employs more than 1,400 people across Australia, the UK and the US.
