2 minute read - 18th November 2024
BAE Systems investing £25m in new Sheffield facility
BAE Systems is set to open a new artillery development and production facility in Sheffield, creating 50 new high-skilled jobs. The facility will be funded with investments of more than £25m.
The new 94,000 sq ft site will house a state-of-the-art factory specialising in artillery expertise and delivering manufacturing capability for the company’s M777 lightweight towed howitzer, a weapon used by the ground forces of Canada, Australia, India and the US. Work is already underway to prepare the site to be operational in 2025.
The Sheffield site is the latest investment that BAE Systems is making in its UK facilities. A £300m transformation of shipbuilding facilities is underway in Glasgow, more than £200m is being spent on upgrading the UK munitions business to meet increased demand, and £220m is being invested in a new factory in Rochester, Kent.
BAE Systems is investing £25m in a new artillery development and production facility in Sheffield, creating 50 high-skilled jobs / Picture: BAE Systems
Never miss the latest manufacturing news by signing up to our newsletter here
John Borton, managing director of BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK business, said: “Our aim is to deliver long-term artillery capabilities for the UK, which will safeguard, sustain and grow a critical, specialised British industrial capability, as well as provide important opportunities for exports.
“As we continue to grow our business to meet our customers’ evolving requirements, this significant investment will help us develop a highly-skilled and adaptable workforce as an important part of the national defence infrastructure.”
The state-of-the-art factory is set to be operational in 2025 and will specialise in producing lightweight towed howitzer artillery systems / Picture: BAE Systems
Clive Betts MP, Sheffield South East, added: “Sheffield is well known for its strong history of world-class engineering and advanced manufacturing and BAE Systems’ investment in a new artillery facility and highly skilled jobs will ensure the city continues to play a key role in delivering both economic prosperity and national security.”
