Multi-million pound BAE Systems investment to create 50 jobs in Sheffield

Posted on 18 Nov 2024 by James Devonshire

A multi-million pound investment by BAE Systems is to create 50 new high-skilled jobs in Sheffield.

The investment of more than £25m will be used to establish a new artillery development and production facility in the South Yorkshire city.

The new 94,000 sq. ft. facility will house a state-of-the-art factory specialising in artillery expertise that will deliver the Company’s M777 lightweight towed howitzer manufacturing capability and support the UK government’s ambitions to sustain and revitalise vital UK artillery capabilities.

“Our aim is to deliver long-term artillery capabilities for the UK, which will safeguard, sustain and grow a critical, specialised British industrial capability as well as provide important opportunities for exports,” John Borton, managing director of BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK business.

“As we continue to grow our business to meet our customers’ evolving requirements, this significant investment will help us develop a highly-skilled and adaptable workforce as an important part of the national defence infrastructure.”

Work is already underway to prepare the site to be operational in 2025.

Clive Betts, Member of Parliament for Sheffield South East, said: “Sheffield is well known for its strong history of world-class engineering and advanced manufacturing and BAE Systems’ investment in a new artillery facility and highly skilled jobs will ensure the city continues to play a key role in delivering both economic prosperity and national security.”

BAE Systems’ Weapons Systems UK designs, develops, manufactures and supports artillery systems and naval guns, and provides engineering capabilities.

The Sheffield site is the latest investment that BAE Systems is making in its UK facilities. A £300m transformation of shipbuilding facilities is underway in Glasgow, more than £200m is being spent on upgrading the UK munitions business to meet increased demand and £220m is being invested in a new factory in Rochester, Kent.

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