SHEFFIELD, United Kingdom — The United Kingdom has delivered the first British-made artillery barrel forgings to Ukraine in almost 20 years, marking the start of a £61 million programme awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to BAE Systems. The programme will provide a total of 150 artillery barrel forgings to support Ukraine's artillery capability.
The programme, which was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last year, marks the return of a manufacturing capability that had not existed in the UK for nearly two decades.
First Deliveries Sent for Testing
The first shipment includes four development forgings for 105mm and 155mm artillery gun barrels. These initial units have been sent to Ukraine to allow local industry partners to test and validate their manufacturing and integration processes before full-scale production begins.
The barrel forgings are manufactured in South Yorkshire before being transported to Ukraine, where they undergo final machining, finishing, and integration into operational artillery systems.
Production is currently running at eight barrel forgings per month, with deliveries expected to continue as manufacturing expands under the contract.
Rebuilding a Key UK Defence Manufacturing Capability
The barrel forgings are being produced at Sheffield Forgemasters, an MoD-owned company employing around 780 skilled workers. The programme restores a sovereign defence manufacturing capability that the UK had relied on overseas suppliers for over the past 20 years.
To strengthen domestic heavy engineering and steel production, the UK government invested more than £420 million in Sheffield Forgemasters last year.
The programme also coincides with the opening of BAE Systems' new £25 million artillery manufacturing facility in Sheffield. The 94,000-square-foot facility is expected to support around 100 highly skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs, reinforcing Sheffield's role as a centre for UK howitzer production.
More than 60 companies across the UK supply chain are also expected to benefit from the programme through manufacturing, engineering, and component production.
Defence Secretary Highlights Industrial and Security Benefits
UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP visited Sheffield Forgemasters to meet employees and representatives from BAE Systems as the first deliveries were prepared.
"The barrels produced here in South Yorkshire – the first made in Britain in almost two decades – will help Ukraine on the battlefield, while creating valuable skilled jobs in the UK," Jarvis said.
He added that the government's £298 billion Defence Investment Plan is designed to strengthen national security, support allies, and expand defence manufacturing across the United Kingdom.
BAE Systems: Long-Term Investment Restores Critical Capability
Giles Ambrose, Engineering, Technology and Strategy Director for BAE Systems Weapon Systems UK, described the restart of artillery barrel production as an important step for both the company and the UK's defence industry.
"Restarting British artillery barrel production in Sheffield is a significant milestone for both BAE Systems and Sheffield Forgemasters," Ambrose said. "It demonstrates the importance of long-term investment in sovereign defence capability."
He added that the programme reflects the UK's ability to rebuild critical industrial skills and manufacturing capacity through cooperation between BAE Systems, Sheffield Forgemasters, and suppliers across the country.
Supporting Ukraine While Strengthening UK Industry
Artillery remains one of the most heavily used weapon systems in the war in Ukraine, with sustained operations placing significant wear on gun barrels. Regular replacement of barrels is necessary to maintain the accuracy, safety, and operational readiness of artillery systems.
Under the programme, the UK will continue delivering the remaining 150 artillery barrel forgings as production increases. Alongside supporting Ukraine's defence requirements, the project strengthens the UK's domestic defence manufacturing base, expands industrial capacity, and helps rebuild a strategic capability that had been absent for nearly two decades.
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