Photo: BAE Systems
The British company BAE Systems has announced the opening of a new artillery plant in Sheffield. The £25 million project is part of efforts to strengthen defence support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, The Telegraph reports.
The plant will start operating in 2024, creating 50 highly skilled jobs. The plant will focus on the production of M777 towed howitzers, which have become an important tool for the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to their mobility, reliability and relatively low weight of just 4.5 tonnes due to the use of a titanium-aluminium alloy.
BAE has leased a building constructed by a third party and is currently refurbishing it and providing the necessary security measures to allow production to commence.
Support for Ukraine and other partners
The M777 howitzers are already in active use in Ukraine and have been highly praised by the Ukrainian military. However, due to the intensive use, a significant part of the artillery is in need of repair or replacement. So far, the US, Canada and Australia have provided Kyiv with several of these systems, but demand remains high.
BAE Systems has already received multimillion-dollar contracts from the Pentagon to produce spare parts and titanium landing gear for the M777. For example, in January, the company allocated $50 million to resume production of key components.
Investment in the UK defence industry
The opening of the Sheffield plant is part of the UK government’s wider strategy to support the defence industry and strengthen its role in the country’s economy. BAE Systems has also entered into agreements with the UK government to replenish its ammunition stocks, including 155mm rounds used for the M777.
John Borton, Managing Director of BAE’s UK Defence business, said:
“We are committed to securing long-term artillery capability for the UK, while supporting the export potential of our defence industry. The investment will help create a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, which is an important part of the national defence infrastructure.”
Following the announcement of the resumption of howitzer production, eight countries have expressed interest in placing new orders. This will create economies of scale for international partners seeking to replenish their arsenals.
The resumption of M777 production in the UK not only supports Ukraine in its struggle, but also strengthens the national defence industry, making it a key player in the global arms market.
