Rolls-Royce to deliver MTU propulsion for RN Type 31 frigates
Rolls-Royce announced on 29 May that it will deliver its complete MTU propulsion systems for five new RN Type 31 frigates (pictured). This includes 40 engines and generator sets which will be the vessels main onboard power supply.
Each of the new Type 31s will be powered by four MTU 20V 8000 M71 engines delivering more than 8,000kW. Four 16V 2000 M41B generator units which each provides 900kW will also be installed.
Knut Müller, VP marine and defence at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: ‘MTU products now feature in almost all current and future projects of the RN. That is impressive proof of the trust our British partners place in us and of the reliability and flexibility of our products.’
Initial delivery of the systems to the main contractor, Babcock, will commence from September 2021.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes
With its B-26 USV in full-rate production, Blue Ops is seeking to turn overseas interest into orders through a combination of lower operating costs, UAV integration and local manufacturing.
-
Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push
Chief growth officer Sir Nick Hine tells Shephard how Babcock is lining up New Zealand, Chile, Denmark and the US for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, speaks on the hybrid navy offer and talks AUKUS.
-
Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion
Denmark’s doubled deployment, Mediterranean smuggling routes and Norwegian composite hulls show where uncrewed surveillance demand is heading, while British funding remains unclear.
-
Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift
The 50m, six-person ship from the Italian shipbuilder carries swappable, containerised payloads instead of a fixed mission, reflecting a shift that is becoming increasingly evident.
-
Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties
HMCS Victoria and HMCS Windsor could return from their current deep maintenance, but unconfirmed operational timelines leave questions over patrol capacity before the first CPSP arrives.