UK Defense Capability Under Scrutiny as government Announces New Factories
LONDON – A recent report from mps has raised concerns about the UK’s preparedness to defend against a direct invasion,as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) simultaneously announced plans to revitalize domestic production of critical defence materials. The proclamation comes amid a broader commitment to increase UK defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2034.
The MoD is currently evaluating 13 potential sites across the UK for the construction of at least six new factories dedicated to the production of energetics - explosives, pyrotechnics, and propellants – materials the UK has relied on foreign sources for over two decades to obtain. Sites under consideration include Dumfriesshire,ayrshire,and Grangemouth in Scotland; Teesside,Cumbria,Shropshire,Cheshire,Derbyshire,Essex,Worcestershire,and Hampshire in England; and Monmouthshire and Milford Haven in Wales. The government aims to have these facilities operational by the next general election in 2029, with work on the first factory slated to begin next year.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to detail the plans in a speech this week, alongside the announcement of new drone factories opening in Plymouth and Swindon. Shapps will emphasize the government’s commitment to bolstering British industry and skills, stating, “We are making defence an engine for growth, unambiguously backing British jobs and British skills as we make the UK better ready to fight and better able to deter future conflicts. This is the path that delivers national and economic security.”
The move to onshore energetics production is a direct response to vulnerabilities highlighted by geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions. While the MoD asserts this investment will strengthen national security, the parliamentary report underscores a broader need for comprehensive defence planning, including addressing potential invasion scenarios. The report’s findings suggest a gap between current capabilities and the threats facing the UK, prompting calls for a more robust and proactive defence strategy.
