BAE Systems preparing to increase production of 155-mm shells and hexogen 16 times - The Times

The British defense company BAE Systems will increase the production of artillery shells and increase the production of hexogen. In this way, the UK is going to get rid of dependence on supplies from the USA and France.

The British publication The Times reported this with reference to its own sources.

According to the publication, the expansion of the production of 155-mm artillery ammunition, which is widely used in howitzers and self-propelled artillery installations of NATO countries, comes against the backdrop of the refusal of British and European defense companies to purchase American equipment. This is due to fears that President Donald Trump has turned the USA into an unreliable partner.

BAE Systems will produce artillery shells at a new enterprise that will start operating in Wales this summer.

In addition, the company will deploy additional sites for the production of hexogen. This explosive is used to equip ammunition and make detonators.

The Times notes that the new program provides for a 16-fold increase in the production of artillery shells. However, exact figures are not given for security reasons. BAE Systems has two years to do this.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in March, the Financial Times newspaper wrote that European NATO countries are working on a plan that involves transferring the role of the United States to other NATO members. This involves increasing defense spending and building up military potential.

Earlier, we reported that the German defense concern Rheinmetall will stop producing cars at two of its plants in Berlin and Neuss. Instead, they will produce military equipment.

Recall that in November 2024 it became known that France was thinking about creating its own intercontinental missile.