UK set to ramp up weapons production to reduce reliance on US and French imports
Guardian1 day ago
UK's BAE Systems to Increase Independent Ammunition Production
Above: The head of a 155mm artillery shell casing is turned during its manufacturing process at the BAE Systems factory in Washington, near Newcastle upon Tyne in north-east, England, in November 2023. Image copyright: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
BAE's announcement is a promising sign that the U.K. is finally taking its defence independence seriously, investing in domestic arms production and reducing reliance on U.S. and French systems. With global threats rising, the U.K. can’t afford to wait for a EU defense deal while Brussels plays politics with fishing rights. Security comes first, and this time, the U.K. won’t be held back.
Opposition narrative
BAE's announcement only scratches the surface of the UK's military troubles. The U.K.'s supply chains are riddled with shortages, outdated kit, and total reliance on U.S. tech. Tanks can’t fire, troops train without ammo, and the U.K.'s nuclear deterrent depends on foreign parts. A few new factories won’t fix a system that’s been hollowed out for decades. A strategic review and radical reform can't wait any longer.