British defense company to open second factory for howitzer production in support of Ukraine

British defense company BAE Systems plans to open a £25 million artillery factory in Sheffield to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Rubryka reports, citing The Telegraph.

Scheduled to begin production of M777 howitzers next year, the plant will create 50 jobs.

This move marks a reversal of the company's earlier decision to scale back artillery production in the UK, driven by the growing demand for arms due to the war in Ukraine.

Many M777 howitzers supplied to Ukraine by the US, Canada, and Australia require modernization or repairs. To address this, BAE Systems has secured multimillion-dollar contracts for parts production and repairs. In January, the Pentagon awarded the company $50 million to resume production of titanium chassis for the artillery systems.

John Borton, managing director of BAE's UK weapon systems division, highlighted the unprecedented wear on equipment due to intensive use in Ukraine, stating:

"Everything has a technical lifespan, and because of the intensity of use we're seeing, we're approaching a limit we haven't seen before."

BAE Systems has also entered agreements to replenish the UK's ammunition stockpile, including 155 mm rounds used by the M777. Additionally, eight unnamed countries have expressed interest in placing new orders for the howitzers since production resumed.