On Friday, November 15, BAE Systems officially announced that production has started at a new plant in Sheffield, UK, which will focus on the development and production of artillery weapons. We are talking about 155-mm M777 howitzers, which have effectively demonstrated themselves on the battlefield in Ukraine.
It is known that work is already underway to prepare the facility for commissioning in 2025. The company has not disclosed the exact date for the start of construction of the new M777 production facilities, but it is worth noting that these plans were reported by Western media earlier this year. It can be assumed that the work has already been going on for some time. Thus, these works are likely to have been planned for about a year to a year and a half.
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According to BAE Systems, the new plant will cover an area of 94,000 square feet, or approximately 8,743 square meters. These new facilities will employ 50 skilled workers and the investment is estimated at over £25 million (over $31 million).
It is worth noting that it was decided to resume production of M777 155-mm howitzers not only in the UK, but also in the US. In January of this year, the U.S. Army awarded a $50 million contract for these howitzers. It actually involves restarting production facilities. The first M777 howitzer is expected to be delivered to the U.S. military in 2025.
It should also be noted that earlier this year, the Logistical Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian forces are restoring M777 howitzers on their own.
In March of this year, the Western media reported that components from eight damaged M777 howitzers had to be taken to repair one, which is a problem.
Earlier Defense Express reported that Ukraine had received first Czech 155-mm DITA howitzers.
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