Launch of ammunition plant delayed in Great Britain: how will this affect support for Ukraine

A new artillery shell manufacturing plant in the UK, located in Glascod in south Wales, has not yet been put into operation, although it was planned to launch in the summer of 2025. The delay could make it difficult to replenish ammunition stocks and increase supplies to Ukraine.

This is reported by The Guardian.

The Glascod plant is seen as a key element of the UK’s plan to increase artillery ammunition production. The facility was expected to increase the country’s production capacity by a factor of 16, helping to replenish stocks and boost supplies to Ukraine.

Journalists recall that production was planned to begin in the summer of 2025, but the facility remains closed more than 6 months after the planned launch.

BAE Systems representatives confirmed the delay in putting the plant into operation. The company explained this by a decision made in 2025 during construction to double the company’s production capacity.

Journalists note that the United Kingdom is seeking to expand domestic production of explosives to reduce its dependence on imported ammunition. The country’s concerns have been heightened by the unpredictability of President Donald Trump’s policy on Ukraine and the possibility of imposing tariffs on NATO countries over disputes over Greenland.

The company announced that the Glascod plant will specialize in the production of NATO-standard 155mm artillery shells.

Defense industry analyst Francis Tusa emphasized the importance of these munitions for modern armed conflicts.

“155mm shells are the “mainstay of all armies when they go to war,” so having the necessary supplies is “extremely important,” Tusa said.

According to him, the delay in launching the enterprise was a serious blow to plans to build up reserves.

Journalists report that the delay is also due to the UK government’s hesitation over funding for defence programmes. The defence investment plan, which was expected in autumn 2025, has been postponed several times amid warnings of a possible funding shortfall of £28 billion (around $38 billion) for the armed forces over the next four years.

According to journalists, financial difficulties have already affected the country’s defense programs. In particular, contracts for the next-generation Tempest fighter program and the supply of new military helicopters have been suspended.

“The lack of a ramp-up in UK production of 155mm ammunition means that any army units deployed in Eastern Europe, or reinforcements in Estonia, will currently only have enough 155mm ammunition for a few days. Even with 64,000 rounds, they could fight for perhaps a month,” Tusa said.

A UK government spokesman told reporters that the country is ready to respond to new security challenges by significantly increasing defense spending.

“We are ready to respond to a new era of threats with the most significant sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War,” a government spokesman said.

According to him, this includes investments in the development of ammunition production.

It was previously reported that the Czech Republic plans to continue the initiative to supply shells to Ukraine , launched by the previous government headed by former Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

The day before, Czech President Petr Pavel clearly spoke out in favor of preserving the initiative to supply ammunition to Ukraine . He emphasized that any attempts to reduce or curtail this program would be a “dangerous and regrettable” step that could undermine the trust of allies.

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