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The British defence industry is preparing for an unprecedented expansion: the production of explosives and ammunition, including NATO-standard 155mm artillery shells, will be massively increased. The Times reports this with reference to sources in the government and BAE Systems.
Production lines are being set up at sites across the UK to make RDX explosives, which are used in 155mm shells and other weapons. The key goal is to reduce dependence on supplies from the United States and France and create a sovereign defence supply chain.
According to the publication, BAE Systems, the only manufacturer of 155mm shells in the UK, plans to increase production 16 times. The country has already transferred a significant portion of its existing stocks to Ukraine, which has caused an acute shortage in its own warehouse. In response, BAE is introducing the world’s first innovative explosives manufacturing technology, which, according to experts, could be the biggest breakthrough in the industry in the last 50 years.
The company plans not only to meet Britain’s domestic needs but also to sell the new technology to allies around the world.
Political distrust of the US accelerates defence autonomy
The article notes that British and European defence companies are increasingly refusing to buy US equipment because of concerns about President Donald Trump’s policies. His administration is viewed as an unreliable partner in long-term military-technical cooperation.
There is also a general concern that in the event of a wider war between Western powers and authoritarian regimes, there could be a chaotic and uncontrolled increase in demand for munitions. This, in London’s view, means that the UK must have its own production facilities to guarantee national security.
New investments in defence infrastructure are not only a response to current challenges, but also a strategic attempt to regain control of a critical industry that has remained dependent on external suppliers for decades.
