BAE Systems is establishing a new artillery development and production facility in Sheffield, the company announced on 15 November 2024.
The new facility, which will cover 94,000 ft2 (8,733 m2) and create 50 high-skilled jobs, is being funded with investments of more than GBP 25 million (EUR 30 million). It will house a state-of-the-art factory specialising in artillery expertise that will deliver the company’s M777 lightweight towed howitzer manufacturing capability and support the UK government’s ambitions to sustain and revitalise vital UK artillery capabilities.
Work is already underway to prepare the site to be operational in 2025.
“Our aim is to deliver long-term artillery capabilities for the UK, which will safeguard, sustain and grow a critical, specialised British industrial capability as well as provide important opportunities for exports,” John Borton, managing director of BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK business, was quoted as saying in a company press release.
BAE Systems Weapons Systems UK designs, develops, manufactures and supports artillery systems and naval guns, as well as providing engineering capabilities.
The war in Ukraine has significantly exposed the extent to which Western defence-industrial capabilities were inadequate to sustain prolonged high-intensity warfare operations, especially in relation to munitions production. A number of Western manufacturers are consequently expanding their capacity to produce materiel at a faster rate.
