# Telford factory restores UK’s ability to produce artillery barrels

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/you-need-a-strong-industry-telford-gun-hall-brings-tank-barrel-production-back-to-uk/
- Published: 2026-10-22T16:59:54+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T17:24:01+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/22/telford-gun-hall-tank-barrel-production-back-uk-rheinmetall
- Topics: Business, Celebrity, Entertainment, Europe, Geopolitics, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Telford has restarted UK artillery barrel production.
- The factory can make 245 barrels a year.
- Rheinmetall may expand output if orders arrive.

## Summary

Rheinmetall has opened a factory in Telford that restores the UK’s ability to make artillery barrels, a capability it had lacked for 20 years. The opening reflects a wider European push to rebuild defence production after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the UK defence secretary said countries need to manufacture at scale as well as develop advanced weapons.

The plant has begun making barrels for German-made self-propelled howitzers using Nato-standard 155mm ammunition, with production of tank barrels also planned. It can produce 245 barrels and 50 breeches a year, and could expand to as many as 1,000 barrels annually within four or five years if orders justify it. Rheinmetall is also considering UK ammunition production, with a decision expected within six to eight months.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.