The US Army has placed an order for M777 howitzer structures with BAE Systems in a contract worth $162m according to a statement from the supplier on 15 April 2025.
Having first entered service with the Army and Marine Corps, production of this 155-millimetre calibre, lightweight field howitzer has ebbed and flowed in recent years.
The transatlantic defence prime – headquarted in the UK, but with a global footprint in America and elsewhere – had cut down M777 production in Britain due to a lack of demand.
BAE Systems won an Undefinitised Contract Action, which the US government awarded in December 2023, which they have now finalised. In November 2024, BAE Systems announced that M777 manufacturing would return to Britain at a new 94,000ft² facility in Sheffield, Northern England.
The company will produce the first major structures at this new artillery development and production facility as well as within the US supply chain and will commence delivery in 2026.
European demand
While the British Army does not operate the towed artillery system, instead opting for the Swedish Archer and German RCH-155 systems, numerous other nations do including Australia, Canada, India, Ukraine and the United States. Nations have placed more than 1,200 orders for the system to date, according to the original equipment manufacturer.
The construction of the M777 makes extensive use of titanium and titanium castings. Notably, China is the largest producer of titanium in the world, and in an age of protectionism and decoupling, the peer rival has imposed export controls on the material in response to US tariffs, but there is no outright ban at present.
M777 has a range of 25 kilometres, or 15.5 miles unassisted, with a sustained rate of fire of two rounds per minute, or four rounds for up to two minutes at an intense pace. The system can fire all current and developmental US and Nato standard 155mm projectiles and charges.
Its revival will revitalise Britain’s manufacturing sector, which is slowly returning in the wake of a fragmented security environment: the M777 has seen extensive use in Ukraine against invading Russian forces and, as a result, an uptick in demand from nations familiar with the system.
“The howitzers are playing a key role in operations in Europe,” said John Borton, vice president and general manager at BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK business.
“We are honoured to support our Nato allies,” Borton added, noting the shared military requirements that remain among Nato partners despite the political divisions between Europe and the United States.
