Rolls-Royce Eyes Return to Narrow-Body Market with £3 Billion Engine Project Set to Create 40,000 Jobs

Rolls-Royce is planning a bold return to the narrow-body aircraft engine market with a major £3 billion investment that could reshape the UK’s aerospace industry and support up to 40,000 British jobs.

The engineering giant is reportedly preparing to develop a new, advanced engine to power the next generation of narrow-body aircraft—planes typically used for short-haul commercial flights, including popular models such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 Max.

In discussions with senior UK government officials, Rolls-Royce has framed the project as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to re-establish Britain’s role in a crucial segment of the global aviation market. The company is calling for government support to help fund the development of a fully certified engine ready for production, although the exact level of state assistance being sought has not been disclosed.

People close to the talks say Rolls-Royce is prepared to invest heavily from its own resources but is seeking a partnership approach with government backing. Historically, the company has received public funding for key programmes, including research and development grants and launch support for major engines like the Trent XWB.

The project is expected to deliver wide-reaching economic benefits, not just for Rolls-Royce but across the UK’s manufacturing and aerospace supply chains. Over its lifetime, the programme could contribute as much as £120 billion to the British economy, with tens of thousands of highly skilled jobs created or supported nationwide.

Currently, Rolls-Royce designs and manufactures engines exclusively for widebody aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. However, the company exited the narrow-body sector more than a decade ago after ending a joint venture with US manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.

A return to the narrow-body market would place Rolls-Royce in direct competition with the current dominant engine suppliers for this segment and allow it to tap into a much larger market by volume. Narrow-body aircraft make up the majority of commercial airline fleets globally, especially on high-frequency, short-haul routes.

If backed, the project could mark a significant strategic shift for the UK aerospace sector and position Rolls-Royce as a key player in powering the future of short-haul air travel.

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