The UK Resumes Domestic Production of Large-Caliber Artillery Barrels After 20 Years

Xinhua News Agency, London, October 22 (Reporter Zhao Jiasong) - The British Ministry of Defence announced on the 22nd that the UK has resumed domestic production of large-caliber artillery barrels after 20 years, with the production workshop located in Telford, central England, officially commencing operations.

This production workshop is operated by the British subsidiary of the German defense company Rheinmetall, primarily producing barrels and breech mechanisms required for 120mm and 155mm caliber weapon systems. The related products will be used for the RCH-155 self-propelled howitzer and other future artillery platforms.

On the same day at the workshop's inauguration ceremony, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stated, "The UK has resumed manufacturing the weapons needed by the armed forces to counter adversaries and defend the nation." He also mentioned that the project will create 100 high-skilled manufacturing jobs.

The British Ministry of Defence stated that Rheinmetall UK will take over the project in the autumn of 2025. This project is part of the defense industrial cooperation between the UK and Germany. The two sides signed the Trilateral Defense Agreement in October 2024, aimed at strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and enhancing NATO's collective deterrence capability.

According to information released by the British Ministry of Defence, the UK government has committed to investing £298 billion (approximately $398.8 billion) in defense construction over four years and hopes to promote domestic manufacturing development and economic growth through increased defense spending.