Britain orders $75 million worth of artillery barrels for Ukraine
The UK has signed a £61 million contract with BAE Systems and Sheffield Forgemasters to manufacture artillery barrels for Ukraine. According to Defence Equipment Support, the production will take place in Yorkshire.
What else is known
In addition, the UK will send the Gravehawk air defence system, developed by local specialists, to the advanced air defence system. Earlier, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the delivery of 150 artillery barrels to Ukraine in the coming weeks. This is the first time in 20 years that the British industry has produced such weapons.
Sheffield Forgemasters is known for producing the largest and most complex steel parts in the world. We are talking about barrels for 155mm AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems and 105mm L119 howitzers.
A £61m contract has been placed with @BAESystemsplc and @ForgemastersHQ to produce artillery barrels in Yorkshire for Ukraine. ????????????????
- Defence Equipment Support (@DefenceES) 22 January 2025
In addition and on behalf of the International Fund for Ukraine, we will be sending Gravehawk, a UK designed air defence system, to their front line. pic.twitter.com/oEeOzcVUTx
The British Ministry of Defence stressed that such support will allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to maintain vital systems, including the AS-90 and L119.
The AS-90 is equipped with the 155mm L31A1 gun with a barrel length of 39 calibres. The gun has a dual-chamber muzzle brake, ejector and an integrated magazine for 12 primers.
In June, it was reported that BAE Systems had lost the ability to manufacture barrels for these systems due to the strategic reduction of defence capabilities after the Cold War.
Source: Defence Equipment Support
