# 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. Published 2026-10-22 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/22/rheinmetall-opens-uk-tank-and-artillery-barrel-plant-with/ Rheinmetall has opened its UK Gun Hall in Telford, where barrel production began in June 2026.[1] The company announced the opening on October 22.[1] The hall will manufacture 120mm and 155mm weapon systems.[1] Rheinmetall says that, at peak capacity, the hall can produce up to 245 barrels across both calibres and more than 50 breeches annually.[1] 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.[1] The facility forms part of the company’s investment of more than £200 million across its UK operations over the past five years.[1] ## Why it matters Rheinmetall says the hall will make weapon systems, including those supporting Challenger 3 and future artillery platforms.[1] Rheinmetall also intends to introduce British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters into production.[1] ## Sources 1. Rheinmetall, "Rheinmetall opens the UK Gun Hall in Telford," October 22, 2026 2. Rheinmetall, "Rheinmetall confirms site for UK barrel facility," May 19, 2025