Tank barrel production returns to UK after 20 years as Rheinmetall opens Telford facility

Defence secretary says site is 'defence as an engine for growth' as 100 jobs created

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

The UK has resumed production of large calibre gun barrels for tanks for the first time in two decades with the official opening of a new manufacturing facility in Telford operated by German defence firm Rheinmetall. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting attended the opening on Thursday and described the development as rapid reindustrialisation that would strengthen Britain's defence capabilities and create skilled jobs.

The UK Gun Hall in Telford, Shropshire, will produce barrels and breaches for 120mm and 155mm weapon systems, including for the RCH 155 howitzer and future artillery platforms. The facility has already created 100 jobs, with Rheinmetall indicating it plans to expand its workforce as production increases.

Staff at the plant received training at a Rheinmetall facility in Germany, specialising in precision manufacturing, quality assurance and specialist weapon production.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the site marked a return of large calibre weapon production to UK soil for the first time in 20 years. "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."

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said the gun hall was an "important milestone" that would strengthen the country's industrial base "for decades to come". The company has only one other similar production line, in Germany. "At the moment, we have a lot of orders and we need the capacity," Papperger told BBC Radio Shropshire. "Telford has very well-educated people, highly-motivated people."

Rheinmetall already contributes to the UK's Boxer combat vehicle programme and is involved in upgrading Challenger tanks. Papperger said the firm currently employs 1,300 people in the UK and aims to grow that number further. Streeting described Telford as "synonymous with engineering and manufacturing" and called the opening "a vote of confidence in our country."

Analysis

Why This Matters

The return of tank barrel production to the UK re-establishes a sovereign capability that was lost 20 years ago, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains for critical defence components.
The facility creates skilled manufacturing jobs in Telford, aligning with government promises to reindustrialise Britain and boost regional economies.
Rheinmetall's investment signals confidence in the UK as a defence manufacturing base, potentially attracting further supply chain investment.

Background

The UK previously manufactured large calibre gun barrels domestically but the capability ceased around two decades ago. The new Telford facility is operated by Rheinmetall, a German defence company that already works on UK armoured vehicle programmes including the Boxer and Challenger tanks. The opening comes amid increased defence spending by European nations and a focus on rebuilding industrial capacity. The facility was built on an empty site and reached full production within eight months.

Key Perspectives

UK Government: Defence Secretary Wes Streeting framed the facility as evidence of rapid reindustrialisation and a boost to national defence capabilities, describing it as an engine for economic growth that creates well-paid jobs. Rheinmetall: CEO Armin Papperger called the gun hall an important milestone for the UK's industrial base and confirmed the company's long-term commitment to expanding its UK footprint, motivated by high order volumes and a need for additional production capacity. Critics/Skeptics: The source material does not include critical perspectives; the reporting is based on opening ceremony statements from government and company officials. Questions about cost, reliance on a foreign contractor, or long-term order volumes are not addressed in the available coverage.

What to Watch

Whether Rheinmetall expands the Telford workforce as production ramps up, as indicated by the CEO.
Future UK defence contracts that might rely on barrels and breaches from the new facility, particularly for artillery and tank upgrade programmes.
Any announcements of additional defence manufacturing investments in the UK as part of the government's reindustrialisation strategy.

Sources

Tank barrel production returns to UK after 20 years · BBC News

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedUK tank-barrel production has returned for the first time in 20 years with the opening of a Telford facility.BBC News: “The 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.”
Partly supportedThe Defence Secretary said the site is “defence as an engine for growth”.BBC News: “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,”
Partly supportedThe facility has created 100 jobs.BBC News: “Image caption, Rheinmetall said the facility had created 100 jobs and it would look to expand its workforce in the future”
SupportedStreeting said, “From an empty site to full production in eight months, this is rapid reindustrialisation in action.”BBC News: “"From an empty site to full production in eight months, this is rapid reindustrialisation in action," he said.”
SupportedStreeting 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.”BBC News: “"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.”
SupportedStreeting attended the opening ceremony on Thursday.BBC News: “Defence secretary, Wes Streeting, attended the opening ceremony on Thursday”
Partly supportedThe facility will make barrels and breaches for 120mm and 155mm weapon systems.BBC News: “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.”
SupportedPapperger called the gun hall an “important milestone” that would strengthen the country’s industrial base “for decades to come”.BBC News: “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".”
SupportedRheinmetall has only one other similar production line, in Germany.BBC News: “Papperger told BBC Radio Shropshire it was a significant investment in Telford, adding that the firm only had one similar production line in Germany.”
SupportedPapperger told BBC Radio Shropshire, “At the moment, we have a lot of orders and we need the capacity. Telford has very well-educated people, highly-motivated people.”BBC News: “"At the moment, we have a lot of orders and we need the capacity. Telford has very well-educated people, highly-motivated people," he added.”
SupportedPapperger said Rheinmetall currently employs 1,300 people in the UK and aims to increase that number.BBC News: “Papperger said the company currently had 1,300 employees in the UK but was looking to build up that number.”