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The UK Ministry of Defence has contracted BAE Systems as part of a £280 million (AU$541.1 million) contract to deliver the critical supply of “frontline” munitions for the British Armed Forces.
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Building on the existing £2.4 billion (AU$4.63 billion), 15-year partnering agreement, the new orders will significantly increase the production of vital defence stocks such as 155mm artillery shells, 30mm medium calibre rounds, and 5.56mm ammunition creating additional 200 new jobs, expanding BAE Systems’ already 1,200-strong munitions workforce.
Charles Woodburn, chief executive at BAE Systems, said, “We’re incredibly proud of our role in delivering equipment to protect our armed forces and as the UK Ministry of Defence’s long-term strategic partner for munitions supply, we’re actively mobilising our operations in support of our NATO allies.”
These are core products which the British Army relies on to deliver maximum effectiveness on the battlefield.
Key investments are already underway to enable the increased manufacturing rate, including:
- An additional 155mm machining line in Washington, Tyne and Wear.
- A new explosive filling facility at Glascoed, South Wales.
- Reinstatement of the 30mm medium calibre manufacturing capability at Washington and Glascoed.
“This multi-million-pound investment will enable us to significantly ramp up production and sustain vital sovereign capability to deliver cutting-edge munitions, whilst creating and sustaining highly-skilled jobs across the UK,” Woodburn added.
These comments were expanded upon by British Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, who said, “The production of 155mm shells is a demonstration of our commitment to invest in our Armed Forces and sovereign manufacturing capabilities. This is good news for the Army and British jobs, creating hundreds of highly skilled jobs in the North of England and Wales, and ensuring our military can deliver maximum effect on the battlefield.”
This deal is the result of current conflicts and tensions in Ukraine and mounting tensions across the globe which have highlighted the importance of sovereign manufacturing capabilities and the enduring partnership between BAE Systems and the UK Armed Forces.
