Tank barrel production returns to UK after 20 years

Image caption, Rheinmetall said the facility had created 100 jobs and it would look to expand its workforce in the futureByAlex McIntyre, West Midlands and Rob Trigg, Reporting fromTelfordPublished40 minutes agoThe production of gun barrels to be used on tanks has returned to the UK for the first time in 20 years with the opening of a new manufacturing facility.The UK Gun Hall in Telford, run by German defence firm Rheinmetall, has supported 100 jobs and will make barrels and breaches for large calibre weapons.Defence secretary, Wes Streeting, attended the opening ceremony on Thursday and said Britain was "back in the business of making weapons" for its armed forces."From an empty site to full production in eight months, this is rapid reindustrialisation in action," he said. "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," Streeting added.The barrels and breaches will be made for both 120m and 155mm weapon systems, including for the RCH 155 and future artillery platforms, according to Rheinmetall.The firm is already involved in the UK's Boxer combat vehicle programme and is upgrading the country's Challenger tanks.Image caption, Wes Streeting said the opening of the facility would be a boost to Britain's defence capabilitiesSpecialist workers from Telford have been recruited and the firm said it would expand its workforce as production ramped up.Ahead of the factory's opening, staff spent time at a Rheinmetall facility in Germany where they were trained in precision manufacturing, quality assurance and specialist weapon production.Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, said the gun hall was an "important milestone" that would strengthen the country's industrial base "for decades to come"."We are committed to investing in the UK for the long term, expanding our industrial footprint and working together to deliver the capabilities needed for the future," he added.Get in touchTell us which stories we should cover in ShropshireContact formFollow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. Related topicsTelfordManufacturingWes StreetingMore on this storyFactory revamp to pave way for gun barrel productionPublished16 AprilArms maker applies to upgrade factoryPublished18 FebruaryHuge investment in gun barrel making centrePublished19 May 2025Related internet linksRheinmetall