Anti-war activists, including a former Senedd member, are voicing opposition to the support extended by Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, MPs, and local educational institutions for the establishment of a Rolls-Royce office in Cardiff.
The move, which is tied to the construction of a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian military under the AUKUS agreement, has sparked calls for urgent public debate on withdrawal of Welsh involvement in the controversial pact.
The AUKUS pact, signed in 2021 between Australia, the UK, and the US, aims to bolster Australia’s military capabilities, particularly through the development of nuclear-powered submarines, to contain China. Activists fear that this move could escalate tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and increase the risk of military confrontation with China and catastrophic future wars.
Adam Johannes, from Cardiff Stop the War Coalition, criticised media portrayal of Rolls-Royce’s Cardiff expansion as solely a job creation opportunity, highlighting its deeper implications. “Welsh media and politicians have been entirely uncritical about Rolls-Royce Submarines coming to Cardiff, framing it as job creation, rather than what it is, locking Wales into manufacturing military hardware for a new Cold War with China,” he stated.
Bethan Sayed, a former Plaid Cymru Senedd member, added, “Instead of arms industries to take life, our city should seek to attract investment in green industries to save our planet”. She called upon Welsh politicians to end their support for arms manufacturing and work for a redirection of resources towards “cultural, scientific, and educational exchanges between nations.”
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) have previously expressed worries about AUKUS writing that, “Australia will become the seventh and the first non-nuclear weapons state to acquire nuclear reactors to power submarines. This risks nuclear proliferation and is a breach of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
Rolls-Royce’s plans to establish a Cardiff ofice in St Mellons, funded by the UK Ministry of Defence, with the promise of 130 jobs, has drawn mixed reactions. While a host of Welsh politicians have expressed full support for the venture, anti-war activists argue that such involvement aligns Wales with the militaristic objectives of AUKUS.
Cardiff Stop the War Coalition told voice.wales that the the involvement of Welsh institutions in the AUKUS pact has taken place without any public debate or public scrutiny. The group has demanded “transparency and public accountability” urging a reconsideration of Cardiff’s role in supporting militarisation efforts that could have far-reaching consequences for global stability.
Their calls come as the arms company has further identified St Mellons as a possible location for a major UK hub for its involvement in AUKUS, subject to Welsh Government approval of the site later this month. Activists are demanding Welsh politicians end their support for AUKUS.
A local conservation group, Cardiff Civic Society expressed scepticism of claims of Rolls-Royce bringing ‘thousands’ of local jobs in the future warning, “Wales has seen many such ‘hints’, most of which come to nothing, often taking public money with them.”
Meanwhile, in a Cardiff Council press release, Councillor Russell Goodway boasted the Labour administration’s key role in bringing arms manufacturing to Cardiff,
“I was delighted to be able to meet the Rolls Royce team at an early stage in their decision-making process and offer them the full support of the council in establishing their office in St Mellons…creating a tremendous boost to innovation and research amongst Universities and Colleges across Wales and I understand some of these innovation partnerships have already been established,” Mr Goodway said.
Cardiff Council leader Huw Thomas, Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens MP and Stephen Doughty MP were among politicians who took to social media to welcome the latest arms manufacturer setting up operations in Wales. First Minister contender Vaughan Gething has also been working with Rolls-Royce.
In a letter to Cllr Huw Thomas, Rolls-Royce identified potential relationships with Cardiff and Swansea universities as one attraction for them. Campaigners have highlighted the ethical implications of Welsh universities and colleges partnerships with Rolls- urging a reevaluation of these collaborations.
A Cardiff Stop the War Coalition student organiser warned, “the logic of AUKUS is a deadly new arms race where China will invest in ever more expensive military hardware in response”. They underscored the urgent need for Welsh universities to advocate for de-escalation rather than exacerbating global tensions. Adding,”the huge military build-up by the US and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region is rooted in the fears of the US of being overtaken by China as the world’s leading economy”.
In Australia, AUKUS has sparked protests from anti-war, trade union and student groups. The National Union of Students called a nationwide day of protest last August arguing the $368 billion price tag for the submarines would be better spent on ending the cost-of-living crisis. While trade unions and peace protesters staged a march in Port Kembla against the establishment of a nuclear submarine base for AUKUS arguing it could deter bringing new renewable energy industries to the town.
As the ink dries on agreements, Cardiff finds itself entangled in the global web of AUKUS. With local politicians throwing their weight behind arms manufacturing, activists say politicians are embracing an arms race spiralling out of control.
As Cardiff grapples with the prospect of becoming a hub for military manufacturing, the voices of anti-war activists serve as a reminder of the importance of demanding city leaders pursue avenues for peace in an increasingly uncertain world.
