UK Revives Artillery Barrel Production with BAE Systems M777 Howitzer Factory Launch.

On June 12, 2025, BAE Systems UK inaugurated a £25 million advanced artillery manufacturing facility in the UK, re-establishing the nation’s strategic capability to produce gun barrels for howitzers. The newly built 94,000-square-foot factory in Sheffield marks a pivotal moment in British defense industry history, as it restores a critical production skill set that had been lost domestically. The facility is set to become operational by the end of 2025 and will initially focus on delivering the M777 lightweight towed howitzer, with future capacity to broaden into other cutting-edge artillery systems.
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On June 12, 2025, the British Secretary of State for Defence John Healey MP visited the newly opened BAE Systems artillery barrel production facility in Sheffield, UK. (Picture source: UK MoD)

This investment represents more than just an industrial development. It is a deliberate national strategy to reassert control over critical defense manufacturing capabilities that are increasingly vital in a volatile global security environment. The UK Ministry of Defence's support of this project reflects a renewed focus on rebuilding a sovereign defense industrial base, reducing dependency on foreign production lines, and ensuring rapid response capability for the British Armed Forces and allied partners. The project also supports long-term employment in South Yorkshire, reviving the legacy of heavy steel and precision engineering in Sheffield.

For BAE Systems, the Sheffield facility solidifies its strategic leadership in land-based artillery systems. As the UK’s only end-to-end artillery design and production house, BAE Systems is now uniquely positioned to meet evolving operational requirements. The facility allows the company to streamline R&D, prototype development, production, and sustainment under one roof. It is designed with modular production lines to accommodate not only the M777 howitzer but also future weapon systems under development for both the British Army and international customers.

The M777, which will be the factory's initial focus, stands as one of the most deployed and battle-proven 155mm towed howitzers in the world. Developed through a joint UK-US effort, the M777 combines the power and range of a heavy howitzer with the mobility of a lightweight platform. Its titanium construction allows it to weigh less than half of traditional 155mm systems, enabling deployment by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. This capability has made the M777 a preferred solution for rapid-response and expeditionary forces.

The M777's versatility and effectiveness have been demonstrated in multiple conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and most recently in Ukraine. With a firing range of up to 40 km using precision-guided munitions, and its integration with advanced digital fire control systems, the M777 provides exceptional accuracy and responsiveness on the modern battlefield. Its combat performance and adaptability have led to over 1,000 units being fielded globally, with significant interest from NATO and Indo-Pacific allies.

Earlier in 2025, the UK government awarded BAE Systems a major contract to supply 150 artillery barrels to Ukraine in collaboration with Sheffield Forgemasters, showcasing the new facility’s potential as a hub for export-oriented defense production. The company has also been providing forward-deployed maintenance services for 105mm Light Guns, ensuring rapid turnaround for artillery systems in active service. These efforts underline the strategic shift toward integrated support and lifecycle management in modern defense procurement.

The Sheffield factory is also expected to serve as a training and skills development center, drawing on local technical colleges and universities to cultivate a new generation of artillery manufacturing specialists. This aligns with broader government initiatives to upskill the defense workforce and foster innovation through public-private collaboration.

As global demand for robust and flexible artillery systems grows, driven by lessons learned in Ukraine and rising tensions in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the Sheffield facility places the UK at the forefront of artillery system production. It ensures readiness, resilience, and responsiveness for UK forces and reinforces the country’s role as a key defense supplier for allied nations. BAE Systems' new site is not merely a factory but a strategic asset in the UK's national defense architecture.