Ukraine conflict: First UK-produced artillery gun barrels arrive

The first four of the 150 artillery barrels being produced by Sheffield Forgemasters have been delivered to Ukraine. (BAE Systems)

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis announced during a visit to Sheffield Forgemasters on 15 July 2026 that the first four of the 150 gun artillery barrels being produced by the Yorkshire defence company have been delivered to Ukraine.

The 105 mm and 155 mm gun barrels are being produced under a GBP61 million (USD82 million) contract awarded by the UK government to BAE Systems and announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a visit to Kyiv in January 2025. Jarvis said on 15 July, “The barrels produced here in South Yorkshire [are] the first made in Britain in almost two decades.”

The first four barrels were shipped to Ukraine as development forgings, enabling Ukrainian industry partners to validate manufacturing processes ahead of full-scale integration and production. The UK MoD said eight forgings are being produced a month in Sheffield.

The MoD-owned Sheffield Forgemasters manufactures specialist steel forgings and castings, with over 60 businesses across the UK supply chain. The gun barrel production follows the opening of BAE Systems' new GBP25 million artillery factory in Sheffield on 12 June 2025 by then Secretary of State for Defence John Healey. A BAE Systems spokesperson told Janes on 13 June 2025 that the factory would initially deliver 70 sets of M777 lightweight towed howitzer structures, with the facility capable of producing a range of weapon systems depending on customer requirements.

According to BAE Systems, its Weapons Systems UK business is the UK's only artillery design house that develops, manufactures, and supports artillery systems and naval guns, including the M777.

BAE Systems has also been providing maintenance and repair of 105 mm Light Guns in Ukraine since 2024.