Industry · Europe
Rheinmetall opens UK tank and artillery barrel plant with production under way
Rheinmetall puts the plant’s peak capacity at up to 245 barrels a year. Barrel production began in June.
Rheinmetall has opened its UK Gun Hall in Telford, where barrel production began in June 2026. The company announced the opening on October 22.1
Rheinmetall's UK barrel production is under way
UK Gun Hall, Telford. 120mm and 155mm weapon systems.
Peak capacity does not establish output to date. Rheinmetall's opening announcement gives no output to date.
Source: Rheinmetall. As of October 22, 2026.
The hall will manufacture 120mm and 155mm weapon systems. Rheinmetall says that, at peak capacity, the hall can produce up to 245 barrels across both calibres and more than 50 breeches annually. Its opening announcement gives no output to date, so the capacity figure does not establish the volume being produced.1
Breech and breech block production began in May 2026, a month before barrel production.1 When Rheinmetall confirmed the Telford site in May 2025, it said production was set to begin by 2027.2
The Gun Hall employs 35 people, and Rheinmetall expects it to support more than 100 as production develops. The facility forms part of the company’s investment of more than £200 million across its UK operations over the past five years.1
Rheinmetall says the hall will make weapon systems, including those supporting Challenger 3 and future artillery platforms. Rheinmetall also intends to introduce British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters into production.1
Sources (2)
- Rheinmetall, "Rheinmetall opens the UK Gun Hall in Telford," October 22, 2026 www.rheinmetall.com
- Rheinmetall, "Rheinmetall confirms site for UK barrel facility," May 19, 2025 www.rheinmetall.com