UK to achieve independence from US in artillery shell production
Illustrative photo: 155mm shells adopted by NATO countries' armies (Getty Images)
BAE Systems is creating its own explosives and plans to completely eliminate the use of American components in the production of artillery shells, according to The Times.
BAE Systems plans to build three new factories in the UK to produce explosives based on hexogen, used in 155mm shells for the British Army and other weaponry.
This move comes amid growing concerns among British and European defense companies about purchasing American equipment, fearing that President Trump has turned the US into an unreliable partner.
Within two years, BAE Systems aims to increase production of NATO-standard 155mm shells by 16 times. The company plans to use a world-first innovative technology, the biggest breakthrough in explosive production in the past 50 years, and intends to sell this technology globally. Previously, BAE imported hexogen-based explosives from the US and France.
BAE Systems, Europe's largest defense contractor, hopes to achieve artillery shell production without American components, allowing them to be used without any US restrictions.
155mm shells are used by the British Army in the self-propelled howitzer Archer and the armored self-propelled artillery system AS-90.
The company is the only producer of this type of shell in the UK, with most of its shells sent to Ukraine, creating a shortage within the country.
Weapon production in Europe
Following the US administration's shift in stance under President Trump, European countries are changing their defense strategies. They plan to shift from providing finished weapons to funding weapons production for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Britain has successfully tested weapons designed to destroy swarms of Russian drones.
