BAE Systems technology investment delivers major boost to UK munitions production

According to the defence giant the advanced new capability has been enabled by more than £150m of investment in its UK munitions facilities since 2022, as well as a further £8.5m investment in novel manufacturing methods that has lead to significant breakthroughs in the creation of next generation explosives and propellants.

The new methods will use continuous flow processing to synthesise explosive material and remove the need for Nitrocellulose and Nitroglycerine, which are high in demand across global supply chains, in propellant production.

As a result, the company anticipates it will be able to produce sufficient explosives and propellants in the UK to meet UK Ministry of Defence and export requirements, with the initial phase of industrial capacity expected by the end of 2026.

Steve Cardew, Business Development Director at BAE Systems’ Maritime and Land Defence Solutions, said:  “Our leap forward in synthetic energetics and propellant manufacture will strengthen the UK’s supply chain resilience and support our ramp up of critical munitions production to meet growing demand in response to the increasingly uncertain world we’re living in. It also supports economic growth through high-skilled jobs and potential export opportunities.”