UK Munitions Factory Delay Impacts Ukraine Supply
The opening of a key UK artillery shell plant in Wales has been delayed by at least six months, raising concerns about the replenishment of British stockpiles and continued support for Ukraine, according to reports. The facility, located in Glascoed, South Wales, was initially slated to begin production in the summer of 2025.
The plant is owned by BAE Systems, Europe’s largest arms maker, and was heralded as a crucial step in bolstering the UK’s defense capabilities. The project aimed to increase the production of 155mm artillery shells sixteenfold compared to current levels. These shells are considered vital for modern warfare, described by one defense analyst as “the bedrock of all armies when they go into war.”
BAE Systems attributed the delay to a mid-construction decision to double the plant’s capacity. “After construction began, we took the strategic decision to double the output capacity beyond our original design to increase our 155mm production capacity by up to sixteenfold, which had an impact on the schedule,” a BAE Systems spokesperson stated.
While the company asserts that construction is complete and the facility is now undergoing testing and commissioning, the delay highlights ongoing challenges in scaling up ammunition production. Even at full capacity, the plant is projected to produce a maximum of approximately 80,000 shells annually. This figure is significantly lower than the anticipated output of a new Rheinmetall plant in Germany, which is expected to produce up to 1.1 million shells per year by 2027.
The delay comes as Ukraine continues to face significant ammunition shortages on the battlefield. The need for consistent artillery shell supplies has become increasingly urgent, with Russia reportedly importing over 1 million shells from North Korea. Recent developments indicate a shift in Europe’s role as a primary supplier to Ukraine, with countries like the Czech Republic exploring diverse sourcing options to secure immediate ammunition.
According to data from early 2025, the United States had previously delivered twice as much artillery to Ukraine as Europe, but new aid has stalled. European production, including planned expansions at facilities in Germany, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, is now critical to sustaining Ukraine’s defense. Projected combined European capacity by 2026 is approximately 2 million shells per year, enough to support daily firing rates of 5,000–5,500 rounds, before factoring in domestic Ukrainian production.
The UK’s limited onshore production capacity in 155mm ammunition raises concerns about the ability to adequately support potential army deployments to Eastern Europe or reinforce forces in Estonia, according to defense analyst Francis Tusa. He suggests that current stockpiles would only allow for a few days of sustained combat, even with the increased output from the Glascoed plant.
The situation underscores the broader challenges facing Western nations in meeting the escalating demand for ammunition and the importance of diversifying supply chains. Japan has recently joined NATO’s program to support Ukraine, known as PURL, by procuring American-made equipment for delivery to Kyiv, including radar systems and body armor.
