New factory opens in Sheffield to manufacture 155mm howitzer used in Ukraine
A new artillery factory has opened in Sheffield, which will be used to produce the 155mm M777 – a howitzer used across the globe, including Ukraine.
The new facility, run by BAE Systems, was opened by Defence Secretary John Healey during a visit to the South Yorkshire site.
The news comes a week after the Government released the Strategic Defence Review, which confirmed a £6bn commitment to munitions production this parliament.
This includes £1.5bn for an "always on" pipeline for munitions and at least six new energetics and munitions factories, meaning that the UK can innovate and rapidly restock key ammunition.
The plant will become fully operational later this year, and will initially focus on manufacturing the M777 lightweight howitzer.
It has the capacity to expand production lines and will eventually evolve to develop and produce a range of combat systems.
The M777 howitzer is a towed artillery piece that's designed for rapid deployment either by ground or air, providing precision fire support.
Although it's British, being manufactured by BAE Systems, it is not used by the UK Armed Forces.
However it is in service with several other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, India, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.
The M777's light weight is down to much of the weapon being made of titanium.
It can fire standard and precision-guided munitions, including the M982 Excalibur.
M982 rounds were donated to the Ukrainian armed forces for use in their M777s as well as their Polish-made AHS Krab self-propelled guns.
The M777 has been widely used in conflicts other than Ukraine, including Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
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