The Ministry of Defence has briefly outlined its strategy to ensure that the UK armaments industry can sustain munitions production at “warfighting levels” throughout the current Parliament.
This came to light in response to written parliamentary questions from James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, regarding the government’s munitions procurement plans.
Cartlidge asked about the steps being taken to maintain robust munitions orders from the UK armaments industry. In response, Maria Eagle, Minister of State for Defence, stated:
“Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements.
The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century.
The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.”
In a related query, Cartlidge sought information on whether specific targets had been set for replenishing munitions stocks across the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Strategic Command. Eagle reiterated the ministry’s stance, repeating the need for constant review and close engagement with industry partners.
This all comes in the wake of statements by Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin, who highlighted the urgent need for a substantial increase in the UK’s ammunition supplies. In February, Admiral Radakin noted that two years of military aid to Ukraine had significantly depleted British stockpiles.
He stressed the necessity of making the British Army “more deployable and more lethal,” acknowledging that while the goal isn’t to return to Cold War-era military sizes, there is a critical need to enhance current capabilities.
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i thought we’d given our stock to Ukraine
We haven’t given all stocks of ammunition, from bullets to bombs and missiles, to Ukraine. Why do you think that?
Mostly the older versions of things that go bang.
So that if they are captured they don’t give away the latest tech.
That said what we gave away was clearly very useful stuff as it is effective against Russia scrap heap challenge technology.
Ha, I used to love that programme and “The Great Egg Race”. A bunch of inventive Brits doing what Brits are brilliant at !
Possibly saving the MOD money as old stock nearing / past it’s sell by date needs to be disposed of, at some cost.
Agree it’s a win win.
UK armed forces get new stock and latest ammo. Ukraine gets old stock that still goes bang and defeats Russia’s rubbish. Our donations are certainly better than what Russia is getting from North Korea.
Very likely in the long term. Disposal is expensive as you either expend or dismantle.
Expensing loads of missiles isn’t so easy if they have big warheads. So dismantle and render inert.
But in the shorter depleted the stockpiles
Exactly, an entirely logical plan. Logisticians are a reasonably intelligent group of blokes.
The real questions to be addressed are the criteria chosen to identify adequate warfighting stocks of munitions. Believe lessons learned from UKR conflict have caused most NATO nations to recalibrate estimates of adequate stockpiles of all munitions, as well as the capability to increase production on demand.
Obviously, this exercise will have a non-trivial associated expense.
Dick was a Royal Signals officer.
Stock of what? The MoD has a huge storage capacity, including many, many types of explosive, ammunition, missiles, rockets, and bombs.
It is for this reason we could supply UKR so rapidly with thousands of NLAW, before Russia attacked.
And in my opinion, it was the large quantity of NLAW’s supplied in the weeks preceding the invasion, that arguably, had a significant impact in stopping Ukraine being over run….
Absolutely.
While the rest of Europe sat and dithered.
To be fair, not all the rest of Europe dithered, but the UK under BJ did actually take the lead when it all kicked off….. Huge Kudo’s to Boris for that at least. France Dithered rather noticeably though.
We have an advantage other European NATO nations don’t. UKUSA. We knew what was coming and our intelligence bilateral co operation is on a different level to that of other NATO European nations.
The French intell chief resigned I believe.
Totally non related, and I hate to mention the B word, but that’s one reason why I Iaughed my head off with all the remoaner talk of loss of intelligence by leaving the EU?
They’re either joking, or plain ignorant. We’re as part of something much greater.
The UK and US have a significant advantage that the rest of Europe didn’t have, which was not sharing a land border with Russia. It’s fine poking the bear if you are out of reach, it’s different when you are not.
Also the UK got lucky with the Norway gas pipeline and less reliant on Russian gas.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing but if you were a leader of a European country wouldn’t you have been worried about Russian attacks if you got involved.
Boris had nothing to do with it. It was the sec defence, and a lot of credit to them. Boris wasn’t interested at the start which was clear as he wasn’t trying to make it a PR story about him like he did with everything else. It wasn’t until a few weeks into the war that he started getting photo ops around it and using trips to Ukraine to avoid difficult news weeks. I suspect like covid at the start he didn’t turn up to meetings on the war, it wasn’t until it was popular that he suddenly started talking… Read more »
Purely your personal opinions tinged with a hint of Boris loathing.
True but also based on evidence of how we know he acted during his time as london mayor, foreign sec and PM. There is enough data points to draw a pretty likely conclusion.
Totally agree.
The Ukrainians loved them as such a high percentage stopped the tank….
Gave them a lot of confidence and momentum that was unfortunately frittered away due to dithering.
The did not just dither they obstructed particularly in the case of Germany who would not allow overflights.
Ah yes, I’d forgotten that.
The US and ourselves had to use Danish airspace to access Polish airspace. More than one US flight had to refuel in Holland then back to the North Sea and over Denmark. So many instances like this which show some of our so called European Allies can not be relied on.
Germany was very reliant on russian gas. Fortunately this has changed a lot. Also bear in mind that Germany has now delivered more military gear than all except the US, AND Germany is taking over a million of refugees, AND is financing Ukraine. Safety and Security is more than Tanks. That Germany has a problem with left wing useful idiots is true, but those exist in Londongrad, as well. Apart from that, the Panzerfaust 3 killed a few russian tanks as well, once delivered. Too late, no doubt, and does not justify the blocking of German airspace, but it was… Read more »
Germany is now buying Russian LNG at twice the price than it was paying for pipe line gas and German industry is collapsing. How is that fortunate for the Germans? Or indeed Europe that depends on it for EU money to fund the especially the Eastern periphery? For example the Polish economy is a source of cheap labour for Germany. What happens to their economy if Germany goes under? Perhaps if Germany wanted to stop the war it would have complied with the conditions of the Minsk Accords and got Kiev to stop shelling the Donbas? The first rule of… Read more »
Dji drones from China have been Pivotal since though.It’s rather interesting just which side China is on ! Oops there’s another T90 lost !
The emphasis has moved away from DJI-style quadcopters to the wholesale manufacture of FPV “racing” drones.
In the 1980’s more 155 mm he shells were the American sourced ones lol
Most of what we’ve given to Ukraine was at the end of its shelf/service life and would have otherwise been scrapped. We’ve given very little actual new production equipment to them.
Thats not actually the case at all…
NLAW – No more than halfway at most to end of life
Brimstone 2 – Not even close to halfway…
LMM – Hadn’t even reached IOC with UK land forces
NLAW has a shelf life of 20 years, we got our first batch of 14,000 in 2009-2010 so they’re roughly 75% through their shelf life, this batch is almost certainly where all of our 5000 donated units have come from.
Storm Shadow supposedly has a 12 year shelf life (service life extension work not withstanding), the AS-90s are scraping the bottom of the artillery barrel and the Sea Kings are basically antiques.
First batch??
14,000 was the total production order for the UK…they didn’t just appear in one great pile….
They started volume production in 2009 but they weren’t all delivered until 2016. We also practice proper stockpile management so most of the first years production will have been used in training…
Given the majority of NLAW were delivered in late 2021 and 2022 most will have only had 10 years in stockpile….50%.
The Storm Shadow sent were missiles that were not being MLU’d.
SeaKing were already retired…
But I note you’re not mentioning Brimstone 2 or LMM…
Why would u think that ? We had 2 years of Covid where we used hardly anything we also had stockpiles from our wars in afghanstan and Iraq it cost money to dispose things like rockets Ukraine did us a favour as it casts a fortune to demil this stuff
I’ll have to take your word for it. I’ve got no stock list to refer to which you seem to know a lot about
i didn’t know COVID was explosive. a lot of military stuff could go into a andfill.
I’m not sure what u mean about Covid being explosive however Covid prevented a lot of training exercises in the U.K. and overseas so this meant rockets and artillery mortar rounds etc were not used or rotated I’ve been on plenty of exercises where we had to use up all the explosives as they were going out of date and it’s a huge hassle to send back
I believe generally speaking what has been given is close to the end of its service life…essentially it’s a win win, it supports Ukraine in defending itself and HMG does not have to pay to have it destroyed.
Doesn’t sound to me like a drastic hike in stock/prduction, which would be needed for wartime. Just a general statement. Hope I’m wrong.
OT amazing Putin acusing UKR of “provocation”etc launching a limited incursion into Russia, after launching a failed massive invasion of UKR, bombing, shooting indescriminately, raping, looting, threatening anyone who helps UKR with nukes.
The bully protests when its victim hits back.
Hello Frank, I think you are right on both points. and indeed your “Bully” comment too.
Not forgetting the active assassination program being carried out in Western countries!
there’s never any mention of the increase in production groru all areas in the defence sector need a far bigger industrial bas,nm9re yards,nmor factory production, until that happens when we can throw ten percent of our money into the pot but it would not change much from.where we are today
“Warfighting levels” of ammunition for others to use?
For how many days?
I think the interesting bit is around industrial capacity to maintain stocks..what Ukraine has shown ( as did the never ending campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq) is that the Cold War view of the very short conflict was a false paradigm and wars are generally fought to the exhaustion of one enemy. …that means reliance on a war stock without a corresponding industrial capability to maintain those stocks creates a weakness.
I doubt the statement on munitions when during the Gulf war we ran very very low on stock. What I was also told was we only had enough munitions for 24 hours of combat if we went against the Red crew. Military reductions has really pushed the limit on what the UK can do.
how many people on here Have been in the forces? or is it a site for fantasists and laptop heroes?
All 3, and a 4th category, those with a passion and interest in the subject.
And?
a passion is all well and good, but a lot of people on here would be better suited to a site discussing the NHS there is bound to be a brain surgeon in here somewhere .
you might want to get that bee out of your bonnet.
you might want to get f,,****d.
It’s just GF or a suitable derivative; Google it. Certainly not comma comma make sure I can count the remaining letters.
NHS? I have just the man, actually. You know of Jonathan of course? Rather high up on the NHS side of things regards crisis contingency planning, with an agency of HMG, as well as being very knowledgeable on defence matters.
Will he do?
in the absence of a y proof to back up your claims, I’ll have to take your word for it .
My claims? Nothing to do with me, Andy, go speak with Jonathan.
You’re the one asking about NHS links here when it is a defence site like its some sort of failing.
You’ve been on this site long enough, if you have you should know, if you read the posts, what back ground posters offer.
Is he a Walter Mittey too?
Are you?
You’re the one who periodically derides posters who have not served in the forces like this site should ONLY be for forces vets?
Why?
Why can people just say what is on their minds? We all have views on the world out side of our lived experiences. it’s a bit rich to infer that only those that have recently served may have a view.
It is a fact that most on here will not have served recently or served at all. But they still have a point of view to share.
Why is that relevant?
it’s not. but you have obviously not served you country. otherwise you wouldn’t be asking sarcastic questions.
Dern is a serving soldier, Andy.
😂
really? ate you sure?
Am I sure? No, as I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Dern. But we’re faced with two choices. Either just about everybody here is talking total bollocks about themselves, or speaks truthfully, some giving a bit if back ground about themselves. Of course there are imposters, but what reason do I have to doubt Dern? None. Is ABC really the SME on RR Derby and the industrial side, or is he really a she and working in the corner shop? Is DaveyB a forces vet from Afghan and Iraq, and an expert on all sorts of radar Aviation and… Read more »
Guess that means I don’t have to report for work after summer leave ends then lol.
Since it’s not relevant how about you wind your shit neck in and try not to guilt people for having an interest in the defence of our nation? The few enough of them as there is.
because those THAT HAVE SERVED.DESERVE MORE RESPECT THAN THEY GET.
I think veterans here get plenty of respect Andy.
I certainly give them that.
So now you’ve not only thrown a hissy fit but come back days later to make a another silly answer?
You’re really not showing respect here yourself so maybe take a good long look in the mirror.
This site is owned and run by civilians for anyone in the world to see comment and join in. Some of us have been here since the beginning. Your initial comment attracted a lot of comments that you didn’t like and now you are throwing tantrums.
There is a car factory the other side of the county. I doubt there is one car designer among the work force. I doubt there are good drivers either; there may be but not many. Are you saying only such persons can comment on car purchasing or car performance? I have know Writers who nothing about the ship they are in never mind how one is constructed. Loggies from the RLC who can’t shoot and have to be reminded from what end the bullet comes. RAF personnel who don’t like flying! Back in the day I knew RN officers who… Read more »
Does this mean we are getting back into energetics manufacturing? Also the statement talks about a strategy??? Will that be shared with the defence industry?
it’ll have to be better than the shipbuilding policy if the last government.
all industries that can do their part within the defence parameters should be invested in cor example the palliion ship yard has closed despite still having one of the biggest shipbuilding halls in Europe. if the U.K is serious about expanding then places like the palliion should be brought back. the performance of the Clyde is not acceptable.as taxpayer it disgusts me tha billions are still being given to them another yard would provide more competitive bids. and hopefully a bigger rate of deliverys
How will Brits join the armed forces when they no longer feel they have a future in a country no longer their own.
Royal Ordnance was effectively given away, once BAE got hold of it they closed sites and sold of valuable land for redevelopment. 16 factories went down to about 7 so even with modern production its capacity is low compared to 1984.
Exactly.
And due to the nature of the energetics business some of those sites were huge ROF Chorley comes to mind as that site alone was something like 400 acres! Of course we are now dependent on foreign companies and governments to decide whether or not to supply us – remember Belgium with artillery kit? No we’re not selling to you because we don’t agree with you!
It would however be interesting to see the production rate from 1984 vs now. BAE have spent a lot of money on new production equipment for small arms ammo which make the whole process automated
maybe we should go back to riveting our ship’s together the world’s first battleship Dreadnaut was built within a calendar year bin Portsmouth. with modern building technology the yards can, and should be better.
Chorley alone was over 400 acres……
“Warfighting levels”
Lets see, the Battle of Vittorio Veneto an important battle of WW, the Italian Army fired artillery 2.446.000 rounds in one week.
Yes. Or at the other end in Falklands the Royal Navy fired 4,700 4.5in shells.
It is a wide target.
but you can’t miss mount London, but Glasgow apparently did the Gurkhas fighting for it weren’t overly impressed 😁
I bet it was a shock to many that Mk8 was actually a real gun and wasn’t just an amusement for the weapons engineering lads.
4700 is a nice number, i was not expecting that quantity. I suppose mostly bomb land. Do you you know the split numbers between AA and bombardment?
How’s all this re-stocking for defence going to happen now to its fullest when Labour is now talking of necessary cuts and seeking savings across all departments? What great timing…not! Maybe all the pollies should donate some free days at work and reduce some of their perks of office to help balance the books!?
Given the number of 155 tubes we now have, keeping a warfighting stock of 155 ammo should not be problematic….