UK plans to build six weapons factories to bolster military readiness | Defence policy
By: Eleni Courea Political correspondent | Published: 2025-05-31 21:30:00 | Source: www.theguardian.com
The UK will spend £1.5bn on building six munitions and energetics factories to “better deter our adversaries” as part of its long-awaited strategic defence review.
John Healey, the defence secretary, said the funds formed part of plans for an “always-on” weapons pipeline and would support the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons.
The 130-page strategic defence review will set out the threats Britain faces, including the “immediate and pressing” danger posed by Russia, and the capabilities needed to meet them. Due to be unveiled by Keir Starmer on Monday, it will draw heavily on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
Plans to step up munitions production are a response to the review’s call for an “always on” capacity that can be scaled up quickly if…
