Rheinmetall’s Telford factory restores UK capacity to manufacture gun barrels
Original report:
Rheinmetall began producing artillery barrels at a new Telford factory, according to the Guardian’s October 2026 report. The facility also had plans for tank-barrel production, as Britain sought greater domestic weapons capacity amid Europe’s rearmament drive.
The Guardian reported on 22 October 2026 that Germany’s Rheinmetall had opened a gun-barrel factory in Telford, restoring a manufacturing capability Britain had relied on overseas suppliers to provide. Initial production covered barrels for German-made howitzers using 155mm ammunition. The facility was also designed to manufacture 120mm tank barrels, including those for Challenger 3.
Planned annual capacity was 245 barrels and 50 breeches. Chief executive Armin Papperger said barrel output could potentially reach 1,000 annually within four or five years, depending on orders. He said investment began before a formal contract was secured. The gun hall was expected to employ 35 people initially, rising to 100 at full capacity.
The investment followed a 2024 UK-Germany defence cooperation agreement and reflected the push to rebuild weapons production after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Army chief Gen Sir Roly Walker argued that artillery retained a firepower role drones could not replace. The report described tank-barrel manufacturing as a future capability, rather than the factory’s initial output.
Source
the Guardian — 22 October 2026
AI-assisted news digest · May be published automatically without editorial review.