The Ministry of Defence has identified at least a dozen disused oil refineries and chemical plants as potential sites for new munitions factories, as part of a £6bn programme to boost ammunition supplies. Locations under consideration include Grangemouth, Southampton, Teesside, and Milford Haven, among others.
The plans, revealed inadvertently through a poorly redacted Freedom of Information response, involve building at least six factories to produce explosives such as TNT and RDX. The MoD has apologised for the breach of confidentiality.
Under Project Nobel, named after dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel, officials are in talks with three foreign arms companies to construct the facilities. The investment includes £1.5bn for 'always on' factories expected to create around 1,000 jobs.
Scottish Enterprise has been informed that former chemical and refinery sites are prioritised due to existing safety clearances and infrastructure. The Scottish government said it was not aware of the plans and is seeking further details from the MoD.
