BDT reveals planned UK manufacturing site as part of full system offer for Project Grayburn rifles

Beretta Defense Technologies' 5.56×45 mm New Assault Rifle Platform. (Janes/Sean Reardon)

Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) has unveiled plans for what it calls a ‘Small Arms Hub', ahead of the publication of its plan to engage with the United Kingdom's 2022 Land Industrial Strategy and the upcoming Project Grayburn SA80 replacement tender.

The proposed site is BDT's current 405 ha Skydock firearms test range in Lincolnshire, with senior members of Sako, BDT, GMK, Norma, and Steiner Optics laying out further details at an event on 17 July in North London.

Part of the site is already leased by a BDT subsidiary, Centanex, and features a 210 m-long indoor ballistic testing range, a legacy of when it was used to test aircraft ammunition during the Second World War. BDT confirmed an agreement has been reached with the landowner to expand its operations to become a factory should the bid be successful. The proposed new production building, which is estimated to be in excess of 2,500 m², will offer skilled employment to local area residents, a BDT representative said.

The representative said that assuming an agreement is reached with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) by 2030, delivery of the expected requirement of 170,000 weapon systems would be completed by 2042.

BDT's proposal to the MoD would have four possible variants: for 5%, 20%, 80%, or 100% of each rifle sourced and manufactured in the UK. The 20% proposal would involve UK-manufactured upper and lower receivers and final assembly and testing in the UK. The 80% proposal would involve all rifle components other than the barrel being made, assembled, and tested in the UK. The Steiner Optics sight would be manufactured at BDT's German facility.