Rheinmetall has confirmed it will establish a new advanced barrel manufacturing facility in Telford, delivering over £400 million in economic investment and creating more than 400 jobs over the next decade, according to an announcement.
The facility, dubbed the “Gun Hall,” will produce large-calibre barrels and marks the first time since 2016 that the UK will have domestic capacity for such manufacturing. Production is expected to begin by 2027, and Rheinmetall describes the investment as a major step in re-establishing sovereign defence capabilities in the UK.
The company has already placed orders for long-lead manufacturing equipment to support delivery.
The new plant will use British steel and focus on next-generation barrel systems for both UK and allied platforms. According to the company, the site will “revitalise the local industry and boost prosperity in Telford and beyond,” while also playing a central role in the UK’s strategic defence partnership under the Trinity House Agreement.
The investment is also part of a broader strategy by Rheinmetall UK, which has already committed over £70 million to develop domestic capabilities. This includes expansions to support Boxer armoured vehicle and Challenger 3 main battle tank production, and the development of a new UK headquarters and collaboration centre in Bristol.
Armin Papperger, CEO and Chairman of Rheinmetall Germany, said in the release: “This isn’t just an investment – it’s a statement. We’re delivering the infrastructure, the technology, and the ambition to place the UK at the forefront of global defence manufacturing.”
Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, stated: “This is fantastic news for the whole of Shropshire – for local suppliers and for the employment and skills this major investment will bring.” He added that he had worked closely with Rheinmetall and government ministers to help secure the deal.
Beyond national goals, Rheinmetall noted the facility would strengthen NATO’s industrial base by supplying advanced, interoperable systems across allied nations. The company says the Gun Hall will support the British Army’s effort to “triple its warfighting power by 2030,” particularly in light of lessons drawn from modern high-threat environments such as Ukraine.
Rheinmetall also underscored its commitment to long-term UK defence skills development, with plans to expand apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and industrial placements, while integrating more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into its supply chain.
Excellent hopefully a precursor to a decent number of RCH-155 gun systems being ordered. What other barrels could this site support? Naval guns of medium calibre?
A navalised 6 inch/ 155 gun mount would be a great idea.
We tried that before for the T45…..but Cameron and Osborne cancelled it to ‘save money’ a phase that just means cost billion more in a decades time…..
So as we didn’t have a UK large calibre we had to buy the US 5” for T26 and lost the ability to just have a 155mm shell line…..
Judging by what Rory Stewart said about Defence Committee discussions mid teens we are lucky to have a blue water navy at all, if some had got their way in this ‘new safe World’ they apparently saw back then despite being post Crimea amazingly enough any armaments by their logic apparently was to bought in from foreign suppliers. The delusion is beyond belief.
That was quiet nutty.
I don’t think that it would ever have happened TBH.
UK arms are always a hot potato because of the issues around exporting licences. Counter to that is the well paid jobs argument; IP argument; as well as the FMS and worse the various bits of US legislation that are used to hobble foreign arms manufacturers.
So actually Blair got it because it stopped him being all presidential
Brown got it because of the jobs and tax aspects
Osborne didn’t get it as he just saw large lumps of cash going out of treasury.
Cameron did eventually get it when he needed an aircraft carrier and couldn’t send one to Libya.
120mm smoothbore guns for CR3, they’re also a Rheinmetall product.
It has to be boxer related. They wouldnt put in the investment if they weren’t pretty sure it would pay off and the only confirmed use is the RCH-155. There might be a surprise in the SDSR and another platform also ordered (such as a replacement for the light guns) but seems unlikely.
Alrhough for sure the L118 needs replacing as it would be out ranged by almost any military that isn’t an insurgency.
The UK-Germany agreement for a joint procurement for RCH-156 of up to 400 vehicles. The Bundeswehr has public ally disclosed it wants 160, so it looks like the UK could be up to 240 units. Though at the moment only 116 units for delivery by 2030 has been reported.
Supposedly part of the deal of buying RCH 155 is that the gun barrels are manufactured in the UK.
Large calibre guns ain’t like they used to be.
“It’s not the size that matters”. (apparently)
“it’s not the length of the barrel, it’s the caliber that matters” 😉
I do actually see some good signs of re industrialisation going on, love them or hate them when it comes to heavy manufacturing and engineering, especially in defence Labour seem to get it more than the last lot. After all not only have the stopped a CCP plot to end virgin steel production in the UK ( and if anyone thinks it was not a CCP political warfare opperation I have a bridge to sell you), they have negotiated the complete removal of tariffs on British steel from both the U.S. and EU… that more than the other lot ever did..