Rolls-Royce has announced an expansion of its partnership with Marand Precision Engineering to supply naval gas turbine propulsion packages for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme, alongside the opening of a new regional Defence headquarters in Canberra, Australia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles officially opened the Canberra facility on August 12, 2026.
Naval Gas Turbine Packages
Following international competitive bidding, Rolls-Royce selected Marand to manufacture three gas turbine acoustic enclosures and ship interface systems for the Type 26 programme at its Melbourne facility. This complements Marand’s existing work on Australia’s Hunter-class Frigate Programme, where the company supplies equivalent systems delivered to BAE Systems Australia. Rolls-Royce provides MT30 gas turbines and mtu power generation solutions for both initiatives.
The enclosure systems provide mechanical support, noise reduction, controls, air management, and auxiliary supplies for optimal MT30 turbine performance. Rolls-Royce engineers maintain a co-located presence at Marand’s Melbourne operations, supporting design development, packaging, and testing phases.
Alex Zino, Defence Director at Rolls-Royce, stated: “This is a transformative step in our partnership with Marand Precision Engineering.”
Rohan Stocker, CEO of ASDAM Group and Marand, noted: “It is a privilege for our team to manufacture and assemble the gas turbine acoustic enclosure.”
Regional Pacific Rim Hub
The new Canberra headquarters serves as the strategic center for Rolls-Royce Defence Pacific Rim operations, covering Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. The company plans five-year investments to enhance visibility and stakeholder collaboration on national security and defence initiatives, including AUKUS-related projects.
Thijs Miedema, Senior Vice President for Defence Pacific Rim, commented: “Establishing our regional Defence headquarters in Canberra is a critical step forward.”
Rolls-Royce maintains established operations throughout Australia, including a Sydney office and embedded personnel across multiple ADF bases providing operational and engineering support.
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