Welsh Munitions Factory Delay Hinders UK Artillery Shell Production for Ukraine
A new explosives facility in Wales, considered vital for enhancing the United Kingdom's munitions production, has failed to open more than six months after its scheduled launch. This setback at the Glascoed site in south Wales is impeding efforts to significantly boost Britain's capacity to manufacture artillery shells, which are essential for replenishing domestic stockpiles and increasing supplies to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.
Factory Delay and Strategic Implications
The Glascoed factory, owned by BAE Systems, Europe's largest arms manufacturer, was anticipated to increase the UK's production of 155mm artillery rounds by sixteenfold compared to 2023 levels. Production was originally slated to commence last summer but has not yet begun. BAE Systems attributed the delay to a mid-construction decision in 2025 to double the facility's output capacity, a move aimed at enhancing long-term munitions self-sufficiency.
Defence analyst Francis Tusa emphasised the critical importance of 155mm rounds, describing them as "the bedrock of all armies when they go into war". He noted that the failure to open Glascoed on time is "obviously very frustrating, not least for the British army", as it undermines plans to secure adequate ammunition stocks for potential deployments, such as reinforcements to Estonia, which currently have only enough for a few days of combat.
Broader Defence Context and Funding Challenges
This delay occurs against a backdrop of governmental indecision over military spending. The defence investment plan, initially expected last autumn, has faced repeated postponements, with warnings of a £28 billion funding gap over the next four years. This financial uncertainty has already led to paused contracts for key projects, including the Tempest next-generation fighter jet programme and new military helicopters, casting doubt on thousands of jobs in related industries.
Comparatively, Germany's Rheinmetall opened a new factory last year with a capacity to produce 1.1 million rounds annually by 2027, highlighting the UK's lag in scaling up munitions production. BAE Systems currently manufactures only 3,000 to 5,000 155mm rounds per year, meaning even a sixteenfold increase would yield just 80,000 annually, far below international benchmarks.
Government Response and Future Plans
When questioned about Glascoed in early February, Luke Pollard, the minister for defence readiness and industry, stressed the need for more domestically produced munitions, stating, "I want to see more munitions produced in the UK". A government spokesperson defended the ongoing development, asserting it has not impacted support for Ukraine, and highlighted investments in defence spending as part of a "largest sustained increase since the cold war".
Additionally, the government has announced plans for six new munitions factories in the coming years, though details on locations and timelines remain undisclosed. BAE Systems confirmed that the Glascoed facility is structurally complete and in testing, with automation reducing the need for new jobs, while continuing supplies through existing sites.
This situation underscores broader challenges in UK defence manufacturing, as geopolitical tensions and reliance on foreign suppliers, exacerbated by concerns over US policies under figures like Donald Trump, drive efforts to bolster domestic production capabilities.
