3 min read - 23 Oct, 2026
Rheinmetall brings tank barrel production back to the UK
Rheinmetall has officially opened its new gun hall in Telford, bringing independent production of large-calibre weapons back to UK soil for the first time in 20 years.
The facility forms part of Rheinmetall’s wider investment of more than £200m across its UK operations over the past five years, complementing ongoing work on the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle, Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank, and future land capability programmes.
Offering 11,500 m² of production space, the gun hall will manufacture 120mm and 155mm weapon systems, including those supporting Challenger 3 and future artillery platforms. At peak capacity, it can produce up to 245 barrels across both calibres and over 50 breeches annually to meet growing UK, NATO, and international demand.
Rheinmetall transformed the empty site into an operational facility in just eight months. Production of breeches and breech blocks began in May 2026, followed by barrel manufacturing in June 2026.
Rheinmetall’s Telford gun hall has begun production, marking the return of large-calibre weapon manufacturing to the UK / Picture: Rheinmetall
Looking ahead, Rheinmetall intends to introduce British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters into production, further strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting Britain’s steel industry.
Rheinmetall currently employs around 685 people in Telford, including 35 at the gun hall, with plans to support over 100 highly skilled jobs as production develops.
Central to the gun hall’s development has been a major investment in skills. UK employees undertook extensive training and knowledge transfer at Rheinmetall’s production facility in Unterlüß, Germany, gaining advanced expertise in precision manufacturing, quality assurance and specialist weapon production before bringing that critical knowledge back to Telford. Specialist local talent has also been recruited across Telford’s engineering sector.
The gun hall is expected to support over 100 highly skilled jobs as production develops / Picture: Rheinmetall
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said: “Today’s opening is an important milestone for Rheinmetall and for the United Kingdom. In a remarkably short period of time, we have turned our commitment into a sovereign manufacturing capability that will strengthen Britain’s defence industrial base for decades to come.
“The UK has been a long-standing and valued partner for Rheinmetall, and today we are building on an already strong relationship. We are committed to investing in the UK for the long term, expanding our industrial footprint and working together to deliver the capabilities needed for the future. By combining Rheinmetall’s expertise with British skills, innovation and manufacturing, we are strengthening the UK’s sovereign industrial capacity, supporting the Armed Forces and contributing to the security of NATO and Europe.”
The UK gun hall serves as a tangible example of the UK-Germany industrial partnership established under the Trinity House Agreement. By combining Rheinmetall’s established manufacturing expertise in Germany with sovereign production capability in Britain, the programme demonstrates how allied industrial cooperation can accelerate delivery, strengthen resilience and enhance NATO’s collective security.
