UK opens artillery factory, re-establishing gun barrel manufacturing capability

UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey (centre) opened a BAE Systems artillery factory in Sheffield on 12 June 2025. (BAE Systems Sheffield)

Secretary of State for Defence John Healey opened a GBP25 million (USD33.9 million) BAE Systems artillery factory in Sheffield on 12 June that will re-establish a gun barrel manufacturing capability in the United Kingdom, the company announced in a press release the same day. The company said the 94,000 sq ft (8,733 m²) facility would be a state-of-the-art factory with artillery expertise, making Sheffield the home of UK howitzer production.

John Borton, managing director of BAE Systems' Weapons Systems UK business, said on 12 June, “Once operational later this year, the site will initially deliver the company's M777 lightweight towed howitzer manufacturing capability, with capacity to expand production lines. The site will then evolve to develop and produce a range of world-class combat systems, leading the charge for the UK government's ambitions to revitalise and sustain vital UK artillery capacity.”

A BAE Systems spokesperson told Janes on 13 June that the factory would “initially deliver 70 sets of M777 structures. The facility has the capability to produce a range of weapons systems depending on customer needs. The factory reshores gun barrel manufacturing capability to the UK for the first time since 2015”.

BAE Systems said its Weapons Systems UK business is the country's only artillery design house that develops, manufactures, and supports artillery systems and naval guns, including the M777.

In January the UK Ministry of Defence awarded BAE Systems a contract for 150 UK-designed artillery barrels for Ukraine, working with Sheffield Forgemasters to deliver on the commitment. The BAE Systems spokesperson told Janes