MOD to invest £280m in frontline battlefield munitions

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has made new orders worth £280m to defence giant BAE Systems for the supply of munitions – core products which the British Army relies on to deliver maximum effectiveness on the battlefield.

These latest orders come amid current conflicts and tensions across the globe, highlighting a need for continued sovereign manufacturing capabilities.

Building on the existing £2.4bn 15-year partnering agreement between BAE and the MOD, the new orders will significantly increase the production of vital defence stocks such as 155mm artillery shells, 30mm medium calibre rounds and 5.56mm ammunition.

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According to BAE: "The orders, worth £280m, with the option to increase to more than £400m, will create more than 200 new jobs in the North of England and South Wales, boosting the company's 1,200-strong UK munitions workforce".

In February, it was reported that Britain's biggest defence firm had notched up record orders in 2022 amid an "elevated threat environment" after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

BAE reported its highest-ever order intake of £37.1bn for last year, which saw its order backlog jump to £58.9bn as countries bolster their defences in response to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

"The new orders will significantly increase the production of vital defence stocks such as 155mm artillery shells, 30mm medium calibre rounds and 5.56mm ammunition," said BAE.

Key investments are reportedly already under way, which is to enable the increased manufacturing rate, including:

• An additional 155mm machining line in Washington, Tyne & Wear
• A new explosive filling facility at Glascoed, South Wales
• Reinstatement of the 30mm medium calibre manufacturing capability, at Washington and Glascoed

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "The production of 155mm shells is a demonstration of our commitment to invest in our Armed Forces and sovereign manufacturing capabilities.

"This is good news for the Army and British jobs, creating hundreds of highly skilled jobs in the north of England and Wales, and ensuring our military can deliver maximum effect on the battlefield."