BAE Systems has secured a four-year agreement to supply components for British Army artillery and armored vehicle weapon systems, including the 105mm Light Gun.
The deal, awarded by Babcock Land Defence on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence, will cover components for the Light Gun and other artillery systems to help keep them available for operational use.
The L118 Light Gun is a towed 105mm artillery system designed for mobility. The British Army uses it with its airborne and commando forces, and the weapon can be transported by land or carried beneath a Chinook helicopter. It has a maximum range of 17.2 kilometers (10.69 miles) and can fire six to eight rounds per minute.
BAE Systems designed and manufactures the Light Gun, which is valued for its relatively low weight and ability to move with forces operating in difficult terrain. The company has also provided maintenance and repair support for 105mm Light Guns in Ukraine since 2024.
“We are incredibly proud of our heritage in artillery design, manufacture and support, and of the skilled people across our business who ensure these critical capabilities remain available where they are needed most,” BAE Systems managing director Laurie Ellis said.
BAE Builds Up UK Defense
The new agreement is the latest development in BAE Systems’ efforts to expand and sustain defense production in the UK.
In September, BAE signed an agreement with Thales UK to support the British Army’s Project ZODIAC battlefield intelligence program.
In July, the company delivered the first four of 150 artillery barrel forgings to Ukraine under a 61-million-pound ($82-million) contract. Sheffield Forgemasters is producing 105mm and 155mm forgings for Ukraine, marking the UK’s first production of the barrels in nearly two decades.
The same month, BAE Systems also received 708 million pounds ($946 million) to accelerate Future Combat Air System technologies, including AI, digital engineering, advanced manufacturing, and software supporting the Global Combat Air Program.