Kathianne
07-27-2024, 10:59 AM
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-rebuilding-ability-to-manufacture-large-calibre-guns/
The Ministry of Defence has announced plans to regenerate the nation’s ability to produce forgings for gun barrels in collaboration with Sheffield Forgemasters.This development comes after a meeting between Defence Secretary John Healey, President Zelenskyy, and UK defence industry leaders to discuss boosting industrial production for Ukraine.
In an update, the Ministry of Defence stated:
“The MOD agreed to regenerate the UK’s ability to produce forgings for gun barrels, working in partnership with Sheffield Forgemasters, supporting the repair and overhaul of Ukrainian vehicles; this is the first step towards UK sovereign barrel production which has been developing for 20 years.
UK industry support of this kind will enable Ukraine’s armed forces to get maintain vital equipment, such as L119 Light Guns and the AS90 self-propelled gun, keeping it in the fight and repairing battle damaged equipment as quickly as possible.”
UK stopped producing large-calibre gun barrels years ago
According to a report by Christopher F Foss at Shephard News, the UK ceased manufacturing large-calibre gun barrels following the closure of key facilities such as the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Nottingham and an armament production facility in Barrow-in-Furness.
These closures left the UK without domestic production capabilities for barrels needed for tanks and artillery. ROF Nottingham was the sole producer of barrels for the Challenger 2 tanks and AS90 howitzers, among others, until it closed and the site was redeveloped.
The challenge became more apparent when the UK supplied Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks and AS90 howitzers. Due to the high rate of fire in combat situations, these tanks and howitzers need regular barrel replacements.
Who are Sheffield Forgemasters?
Sheffield Forgemasters, based in South Yorkshire, has been identified as a key player in the UK’s initiative to restore its gun barrel manufacturing capabilities. Nationalised in July 2021, the company is now fully owned by the Ministry of Defence. Forgemasters specialises in producing large bespoke steel castings and forgings, serving sectors such as defence, engineering, nuclear, offshore, petrochemical, and steel processing industries.
The company has a long history dating back to the 1750s and has undergone various mergers and acquisitions. Despite financial difficulties and industry challenges, including a failed attempt to acquire a 15,000-tonne forging press for civil nuclear components, Forgemasters has maintained its position in the heavy engineering sector.
Forgemasters’ manufacturing capabilities include pouring Europe’s largest single casting at 570 tonnes. The company operates two forging presses capable of exerting 4,500 tonnes and 10,000 tonnes of pressure, which are essential for producing high-quality steel components.
In March 2022, the company ended its supply contract with Gazprom following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More recently, in July 2024, the MoD announced an arrangement with Forgemasters to support the repair and overhaul of Ukrainian vehicles, marking a step towards regenerating the UK’s barrel production capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence has announced plans to regenerate the nation’s ability to produce forgings for gun barrels in collaboration with Sheffield Forgemasters.This development comes after a meeting between Defence Secretary John Healey, President Zelenskyy, and UK defence industry leaders to discuss boosting industrial production for Ukraine.
In an update, the Ministry of Defence stated:
“The MOD agreed to regenerate the UK’s ability to produce forgings for gun barrels, working in partnership with Sheffield Forgemasters, supporting the repair and overhaul of Ukrainian vehicles; this is the first step towards UK sovereign barrel production which has been developing for 20 years.
UK industry support of this kind will enable Ukraine’s armed forces to get maintain vital equipment, such as L119 Light Guns and the AS90 self-propelled gun, keeping it in the fight and repairing battle damaged equipment as quickly as possible.”
UK stopped producing large-calibre gun barrels years ago
According to a report by Christopher F Foss at Shephard News, the UK ceased manufacturing large-calibre gun barrels following the closure of key facilities such as the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Nottingham and an armament production facility in Barrow-in-Furness.
These closures left the UK without domestic production capabilities for barrels needed for tanks and artillery. ROF Nottingham was the sole producer of barrels for the Challenger 2 tanks and AS90 howitzers, among others, until it closed and the site was redeveloped.
The challenge became more apparent when the UK supplied Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks and AS90 howitzers. Due to the high rate of fire in combat situations, these tanks and howitzers need regular barrel replacements.
Who are Sheffield Forgemasters?
Sheffield Forgemasters, based in South Yorkshire, has been identified as a key player in the UK’s initiative to restore its gun barrel manufacturing capabilities. Nationalised in July 2021, the company is now fully owned by the Ministry of Defence. Forgemasters specialises in producing large bespoke steel castings and forgings, serving sectors such as defence, engineering, nuclear, offshore, petrochemical, and steel processing industries.
The company has a long history dating back to the 1750s and has undergone various mergers and acquisitions. Despite financial difficulties and industry challenges, including a failed attempt to acquire a 15,000-tonne forging press for civil nuclear components, Forgemasters has maintained its position in the heavy engineering sector.
Forgemasters’ manufacturing capabilities include pouring Europe’s largest single casting at 570 tonnes. The company operates two forging presses capable of exerting 4,500 tonnes and 10,000 tonnes of pressure, which are essential for producing high-quality steel components.
In March 2022, the company ended its supply contract with Gazprom following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More recently, in July 2024, the MoD announced an arrangement with Forgemasters to support the repair and overhaul of Ukrainian vehicles, marking a step towards regenerating the UK’s barrel production capabilities.