Rheinmetall UK starts gun barrel production in Telford, the first large-calibre weapon manufacturing in Britain in about 20 years

Rheinmetall UK has started production at a new gun hall in Telford, England, bringing large-calibre weapon manufacturing back to the United Kingdom for the first time in about 20 years, according to a UK Ministry of Defence announcement published on 22 October 2026.

The site makes barrels and breeches for 120mm and 155mm weapon systems, including the RCH 155 and future artillery. The ministry says it creates 100 skilled jobs, with more expected as output ramps up.

From empty site to production in eight months

Rheinmetall UK took over the facility in autumn 2025, and the government says it went from an empty site to full production in eight months. British workers were trained at Rheinmetall’s plant in Unterlüß, Germany. The announcement links the project to the UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement, signed in October 2024.

Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker attended the opening. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Britain is back in the business of making the weapons,” calling the project “rapid reindustrialisation in action”. Armin Papperger, chief executive of Rheinmetall AG, said: “we have turned our commitment into a sovereign manufacturing capability.”

Why it matters

Barrels and breeches are among the most demanding parts of any gun system, and until now the UK has depended on foreign plants for them. Producing them at home gives Britain a domestic source for the main components of tank and artillery weapons, which the government presents as part of its wider drive to rebuild defence industry.

The Telford hall adds to Rheinmetall’s growing footprint across allied countries. Geopolitiki has previously reported on Rheinmetall opens medium-calibre ammunition plant in Albacete, Spain, with capacity of about 3 million components a year.

The announcement does not give a production target for the Telford barrels or name the customers beyond the weapon systems it lists.

Source: UK Ministry of Defence announcement, 22 October 2026.