M777 Howitzers Production Factory has Been Launched in UK
BAE Systems has opened a new factory in Sheffield to produce M777 howitzers, creating 200 new jobs.
This was announced by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The creation of the new 8,733 square meter factory required an investment of £25 million. Production will specialize in artillery, particularly M777 howitzers, with the possibility of expanding production lines. Sheffield will thus become the base for howitzer production in the UK.
The factory is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year. This will create 200 new highly skilled jobs and support more than 60 businesses in the supply chain across the UK.
It is noted that this factory was made possible by successful export deals worth over £25 million.
In particular, in April 2025, BAE Systems was awarded a $162 million contract to manufacture titanium parts for M777 howitzers for the US Army.
The first titanium parts under this contract will be manufactured at the new factory in Sheffield, with deliveries starting in 2026.
“BAE Systems has seen interest in the howitzers from across Europe, Asia, and America. The resumption of M777 production provides a unique opportunity for new and existing users of the howitzer to benefit from the scale of production,” BAE Systems said at the time.
During the factory opening, Defence Minister John Healey said, “This new plant is a major boost for South Yorkshire and a significant step forward in strengthening our British defence industrial base.”
Plans to start manufacturing M777 howitzers in the UK were announced back in January 2024. The resumption of production is linked to increased demand for M777 howitzers, which are used by both the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the US Army and Marine Corps.
In addition, according to BAE Systems, other European and Asian countries, as well as Canada and Australia, which donated their howitzers to Ukraine, are also interested in purchasing the M777.
Actual construction of the factory began in November 2024 and was completed in less than a year.
