UK to build next-generation Army artillery in £1bn defence deal
Telford, Stockport and Sheffield are set to help build 72 new remote gun systems-controlled guns
Factories in Telford, Stockport and Sheffield are set to help build 72 new long-range gun systems for the British Army following a £1 billion government deal.
The project will support around 400 jobs across the UK and create 100, including at Rheinmetall’s Telford facility and KNDS Stockport, the Ministry of Defence say.
The new vehicles, known as RCH 155s, are large armoured trucks fitted with a remote-controlled gun.
That means crews can operate them from inside, rather than outside, allowing them to fire and move more quickly.
The Ministry of Defence says the systems can hit targets up to 70 kilometres away and fire eight rounds a minute, making them a major upgrade for the Army.
In Telford, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land will manufacture parts including the gun barrel and firing mechanism.
Around 100 new skilled jobs are expected here.
In Stockport, KNDS UK will assemble the vehicle chassis and engine.
100 jobs are to be supported here.
Steel for the programme is to be supplied by Sheffield Forgemasters.
The Remote Controlled Howitzers will replace older AS90 artillery vehicles which were previously sent by the UK to Ukraine.
The first RCH 155 vehicles are expected in 2028.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
"This major investment is defence delivering for the battlefield and for Britain’s economy. By securing next-generation artillery with Germany, not only are we rearming to strengthen NATO against growing Russian aggression but also creating highly skilled jobs here in Britain.
"This is what we mean when we say defence is an engine for growth – investment in our security that powers new jobs across the country."
Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lt Gen Simon Hamilton CBE said:
"Britain answered the call for aid by providing artillery systems to Ukraine at the outbreak of the war. We knew the risk – the gap in our warfighting capability – that this would present.
"The success of bringing the RCH 155 onto contract to develop our 155mm Close Support Artillery requirement, in collaboration with Germany, marks the first significant milestone in replenishing this capability."