Tank barrel production returns to UK after 20 years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 14:51 · Archive

A German defence firm has opened a facility in Telford to make tank gun barrels, creating 100 jobs.

Rheinmetall has opened the UK Gun Hall in Telford to manufacture barrels and breeches for large calibre weapons, returning this type of production to the UK for the first time in 20 years. The facility has created 100 jobs and will make components for both 120mm and 155mm weapon systems, including for the RCH 155 and future artillery platforms.

Defence secretary Wes Streeting attended the opening ceremony on Thursday. He said Britain was 'back in the business of making weapons' for its armed forces and praised the facility as 'rapid reindustrialisation in action', describing the transition from an empty site to full production in eight months. 'One hundred skilled jobs in world class manufacturing and the return of large calibre weapon production to UK soil for the first time in 20 years - this is what defence as an engine for growth looks like,' he added.

Specialist workers from Telford have been recruited and underwent training at a Rheinmetall facility in Germany in precision manufacturing, quality assurance and specialist weapon production. Rheinmetall said it would expand its workforce as production ramped up. Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, called the gun hall an 'important milestone' that would strengthen the country's industrial base 'for decades to come'. The firm is already involved in the UK's Boxer combat vehicle programme and is upgrading the country's Challenger tanks.

How it is being reported

• Tank barrel production returns to UK after 20 years as gun hall opens in TelfordThe gun hall will manufacture barrels and breeches for 120mm and 155mm weaponsShropshire Star · 22 Oct, 14:14
• Tank barrel production returns to UK after 20 yearsThe defence secretary says the UK is "back in the business of making weapons" for its armed forces.BBC Shropshire · 22 Oct, 13:14

In this story: Rheinmetall · UK Gun Hall · Telford · Wes Streeting · Armin Papperger

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