Rheinmetall has opened a Telford factory to manufacture 120mm tank guns and 155mm artillery weapon systems, restoring large-calibre weapons production in the UK after a two-decade gap.
The new UK Gun Hall will supply weapon systems for the British Army’s Challenger 3 main battle tank program and future artillery platforms, as well as serve wider UK, NATO, and international demand.
Rheinmetall converted an empty facility into an operational manufacturing site in eight months. Production of breeches and breech blocks began in May 2026, followed by barrels in June, the company said. The site has 11,500 square meters (123,784 square feet) of production space.
At full capacity, the facility can manufacture up to 245 barrels a year across the two calibres and more than 50 breeches annually.
The Gun Hall forms part of more than 200 million pounds ($266 million) that Rheinmetall said it has invested across its UK operations over the past five years. Its broader British portfolio includes work on the Boxer mechanized infantry vehicle and the Challenger 3 tank program.
Bringing British Steel Into Gun Production
Rheinmetall wants to increase the UK contribution to its manufacturing supply chain by introducing British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters into production. The move would connect the new weapons facility with a domestic steel producer and reduce reliance on overseas suppliers for at least part of the manufacturing process.
The company is also working to build up specialist skills in Telford. Employees received training at Rheinmetall’s production facility in Unterlüß, Germany, before bringing their knowledge of precision manufacturing, quality assurance, and weapons production back to the UK.
The company said it will continue recruiting and developing staff while working with British small and medium-sized businesses.
The facility is part of the UK-Germany industrial partnership established under the Trinity House Agreement. Rheinmetall said combining German manufacturing expertise with UK-based production will help expand Britain’s ability to supply equipment for its own armed forces and allied militaries.
“From the outset, we have listened to what the UK needs and focused on delivering sovereign capability at pace,” Rheinmetall UK managing director Rebecca Richards said.
