2 minute read - 13th June 2025
BAE Systems officially opens new £25m artillery factory in Sheffield
BAE Systems has officially opened its landmark £25m artillery factory, restoring critical gun barrel manufacturing capability in the UK. The new 94,000 sq ft facility, which will become operational by the end of the year, was opened by the defence secretary and will house a state-of-the-art factory specialising in artillery expertise that will make Sheffield the home of UK howitzer production.
The facility will also create 200 new high-skilled jobs and support more than 60 businesses across the UK supply chain. Once operational, 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 UK artillery capacity.
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BAE Systems has officially opened its landmark £25m artillery factory, restoring critical gun barrel manufacturing capability in the UK / Picture: BAE Systems/James Robinson
BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK business is the country’s only design house for artillery, where it also develops, manufactures and supports artillery systems and naval guns. This includes the M777 lightweight artillery, the only combat-proven lightweight howitzer in the world.
Earlier this year, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded BAE Systems a contract to deliver 150 British-designed artillery barrels to Ukraine, working with nearby Sheffield Forgemasters.
The company has also been providing in-country maintenance and repair for 105mm light guns since last year and is working with local partners to extend support across additional artillery capabilities, which helps to ensure that critical equipment can be returned to the frontline more quickly.
The Sheffield site is the latest infrastructure investment made by BAE Systems across its UK facilities. The company is nearing completion of a £300m transformation of its shipbuilding facilities in Glasgow and a £200m expansion of its munitions facilities to meet increased demand. It is also investing £220m in a new advanced technology factory in Rochester.
Defence Secretary John Healey opened the state-of-the-art factory which will create 200 new jobs and become the home of the home of UK howitzer production / Picture: BAE Systems/James Robinson
John Borton, managing director of BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK business, said: “Our significant investment adds to Sheffield’s rich manufacturing history and reputation as an industrial powerhouse and will develop a highly skilled workforce in the local area, while also forming an important part of the UK’s critical defence infrastructure. It’s fantastic to be able to welcome the defence secretary, as well as local partners and suppliers from across the city to get a first look at our progress and hear about the commitments we’re making in Sheffield, as part of delivering sovereign artillery capabilities.”
John Healey MP, defence secretary, said: “This new factory is a big boost for South Yorkshire and a significant step forward in strengthening our British defence industrial base. This is a vote of confidence in our world-leading defence sector and good, skilled British jobs, underpinned by this government’s Plan for Change. I welcome BAE Systems’ long-term commitment to this new site, which demonstrates how defence can be an engine for growth, bringing investment and opportunities to communities across the UK, including right here in South Yorkshire.”
