For the first time in two decades, the United Kingdom has resumed production of large-calibre weapons, the British government announced. Manufacturing has begun at Rheinmetall UK’s new facility in Telford, Shropshire, as part of a plan to rapidly strengthen domestic defence capabilities amid a growing security threat.
The 11,500-square-metre “Gun Hall” produces barrels and breeches for 120 mm and 155 mm systems. These include components for the upgraded Challenger 3 tanks and the RCH 155 remote-controlled howitzers (the UK previously ordered 72 of the latter for approximately £1 billion). At full capacity, the plant can manufacture up to 245 barrels of both calibres per year, as well as more than 50 breeches.
Production of breeches started in May 2026, followed by barrels in June. Rheinmetall UK took over the previously empty site in autumn 2025 and brought it to full production in just eight months. The facility has already created 100 highly skilled jobs, with further expansion planned and long-term partnerships being developed with British SMEs. In the future, the plant intends to use British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters.
The factory was officially opened by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, alongside Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker and Rheinmetall AG CEO Armin Papperger.
“Britain is back in the business of making the weapons that our Armed Forces need to defend the nation against our adversaries. From an empty site to full production in eight months, this is rapid reindustrialisation in action. One hundred skilled jobs in world-class manufacturing and the return of large-calibre weapon production to UK soil for the first time in twenty years – this is what defence as an engine for growth looks like,” Streeting said.
Armin Papperger described the opening as an important milestone for Rheinmetall and the United Kingdom: “In a remarkably short period of time, we have turned our commitment into a sovereign manufacturing capability that will strengthen Britain’s defence industrial base for decades to come.”
The launch of production forms part of the UK–Germany industrial partnership under the Trinity House Agreement, signed in October 2024. The government sees it as an element of a broader strategy of reindustrialisation and strengthening national security.
