The return to the UK of industrial capacity to help restart production of M777 155mm lightweight towed howitzers is the latest step in a series of moves by the country’s defence sector to onshore manufacturing capabilities.
In mid-November, defence prime BAE Systems announced the establishment of a new UK-based artillery factory to produce the M777, a platform in common use in the US, Ukraine, and others, but not the British Army.
Although a UK headquartered company, BAE Systems has incorporated significant structures in the US to ensure access to its lucrative defence markets. This included production of the M777, which used to be produced from a BAE Systems facility near Barrow before subsequently closing down due to a decline in orders.
The company’s stated aim, to “deliver long-term artillery capabilities for the UK” does not appear to align to a prospective UK requirement for the M777, with the British Army not seeking towed 155mm artillery given its recent twin Archer (as interim) and RCH 155 (in service by 2029) acquisitions.
In addition, the current 105mm L118 light gun, which is towed, is not due to leave service until 2030 at the earliest.
M777 155mm towed lightweight howitzer
The most obvious answer points towards a (re)onshoring of production of the M777 for export customers, such as Ukraine, mentioned above, which has received more than 200 155mm artillery howitzers from the United States.
A return to the White House of Donald Trump next year following his election victory could have an impact on the willingness of a new administration – with former Fox News host Pete Hegseth in as the new Secretary of Defence – in continuing the provision of military equipment to Ukraine.
The M777 move follows an August announcement that Perfect Bore Manufacturing would begin to produce 120mm mortar tubes for the defence sector, as the UK’s land industrial base begins to expand.
UK facility gives M777 155mm new lease of life
In more recent years, a renewed global interest in the M777’s capability has promoted to US Army to seek out ways to restart production of the platform.
As proven in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, which recently passed 1,000 days of combat since Russia’s February 2022 invasion, artillery and stand-off strike capabilities continue to dominate the battlefield.
In January 2024, BAE Systems signed an agreement with the US Army for M777 ‘major structures’ under an Undefinitised Contract Action, set to a $50m limit. The deal allows BAE Systems to start delivering on the programme while finalising contract details.
Speaking at the time, BAE Systems said it would “work with its supply chain in the UK and the US” to produce the “major M777 titanium structures”, which form the basis of the gun. The first of which are due to be delivered in 2025.
“This new contract creates the optimum conditions for a restart of M777 production in the UK and presents an opportunity to new and existing users to join a new M777 production initiative and take advantage of the benefits from a hot production line and economies of scale. The US, as well as Canada and Australia, has donated M777s to Ukraine,” BAE Systems stated.
More than 1,250 M777s are in service with ground forces in the US, Ukraine, the Americas, Australia, and India.
