Defence Secretary Opens Landmark £25 Million BAE Systems Artillery Factory in Sheffield

The Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, officially opened BAE Systems’ new £25 million artillery manufacturing facility in Sheffield yesterday, marking a major milestone in restoring the UK’s sovereign capability to produce critical gun barrels for the first time in decades.

The state-of-the-art 94,000 sq ft factory will become fully operational by the end of the year, creating 200 high-skilled jobs and supporting more than 60 businesses across the UK supply chain. The site will position Sheffield as the new home of UK howitzer production, delivering advanced artillery expertise at the heart of Britain’s defence industry.

Speaking at the opening, Defence Secretary John Healey MP 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.”

John Borton, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK business, added:

“Our significant investment adds to Sheffield’s rich manufacturing history and reputation as an industrial powerhouse. It will develop a highly skilled workforce in the local area while forming a vital part of the UK’s defence infrastructure. We’re proud to welcome the Defence Secretary and our local partners to see first-hand the progress we’ve made and our commitment to delivering sovereign artillery capabilities.”

Once operational, the site will initially produce the combat-proven M777 lightweight towed howitzer, with future plans to expand into a broader portfolio of world-class combat systems. The facility is central to the UK Government’s strategy to revitalise domestic artillery capacity and ensure long-term national security.

BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK business is the UK’s only design house for artillery, with a legacy of delivering and supporting systems such as the 105mm Light Gun and naval guns. The company is also under contract to deliver 150 British-designed artillery barrels to Ukraine, working with Sheffield Forgemasters to meet urgent operational needs.

The Sheffield site is part of BAE Systems’ wider investment across its UK facilities, including a £300 million transformation of shipbuilding in Glasgow, a £200 million expansion of munitions capacity, and a £220 million advanced technology centre in Rochester.