A Rheinmetall UK artillery production facility is set to begin operations in Telford, UK. The company and the UK government announced this on 22 October.
The facility is set to create 100 skilled jobs and bring the production of large-calibre weapons back to the UK for the first time in 20 years. The facility will produce barrels and breech blocks for 120 and 155 mm artillery systems — including the RCH 155 self-propelled guns and future artillery platforms.
“The resumption of large-calibre weapons production in the UK will enable the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces to be better equipped to defend the country. This is part of the government’s commitment to reindustrialisation and ensuring high-quality economic growth across all regions,” a government spokesperson said.
As production volumes increase, Rheinmetall UK plans to expand its workforce.
“Britain has resumed production of the weapons our Armed Forces need to defend the country against adversaries. The transition from a greenfield site to full-scale production in just eight months is an example of rapid reindustrialisation in action,” said UK Defence Secretary Wes Stritting.
According to Rheinmetall, once operating at full capacity, the facility will be able to produce up to 245 gun barrels and more than 50 breech blocks per year. The facility has been designed to “meet the growing needs of the United Kingdom, NATO and the international community”.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the UK has remained one of Ukraine’s key partners, providing it with military, economic and diplomatic support.