UK's new ammunition factory for Ukraine unable to start operations for over six months

The opening of a factory in the United Kingdom, which was supposed to produce ammunition for both the British Army and Ukraine, has been delayed by more than six months.

According to Ukrinform, The Guardian stated this in an article.

The new plant in Wales, considered crucial for increasing the UK's ammunition production, has not been operational for over half a year after its planned launch date. The explosives factory in Glascoed, South Wales, was expected to increase the UK's artillery shell production capacity sixteenfold, replenishing domestic stocks and boosting supplies for Ukraine.

The Guardian found that production was supposed to begin last summer but has still not started. BAE Systems, the company operating the plant, confirmed the delay, explaining that it was caused by a 2025 mid-construction decision to double the factory's production capacity.

The UK aims to sharply expand its domestic explosives production to reduce reliance on other countries for ammunition. Previously, BAE Systems imported RDX explosives, used in artillery shells, from the U.S. and France.

The delay is also linked to government hesitations over increasing defense spending amid warnings that the British Armed Forces could face a GBP 28 billion funding shortfall over the next four years.

As previously reported, defense companies worldwide have increased weapons production due to Russia's war against Ukraine, but shortages of raw materials and long manufacturing cycles continue to limit the replenishment of stockpiles and meeting Ukraine's needs.

Photo: BAE Systems