UK government intervenes to acquire steel components manufacturer
The nuclear reactor on RN Astute-class submarines includes steel components from Sheffield Forgemasters. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
Decision to nationalise Sheffield Forgemasters is a move to protect a strategically important industrial capability.
The UK government is to nationalise a company that makes key components for nuclear submarine reactors.
Under a £2.56 million ($3.55 million) offer to acquire Sheffield Forgemasters International Limited (SFIL) from the MoD, the government will refinance the company ‘and secure the supply of components for the MoD’s critical existing and future UK defence programmes’, it announced on 28 July.
SFIL will also receive up to £400 million in defence-critical plant, equipment and infrastructure investment from the MoD over the next 10 years to support defence programmes.
SFIL produces cast and forged steel components for the UK RN Astute-class submarine programme.
The MoD justified the move to acquire SFIL by arguing that the Sheffield firm is the only available manufacturer ‘with the skills and capability to produce large scale high-integrity castings and forgings from specialist steels in an integrated facility to the highest standards required for these programmes’.
More from Defence Notes
-
![How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence]()
How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence
The Canadian Department of National Defence has been increasing efforts to accelerate the acquisition of new equipment and modernise its in-service inventory.
-
![Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing]()
Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing
The partnership with the US airframer will see Palantir’s AI software leveraged to help streamline data analytics across Boeing’s 12 factories on defence and classified programmes.
-
![DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities]()
DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities
DroneShield disclosed to Shephard its plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capacities while strengthening partnerships with US suppliers.
-
![Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities]()
Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities
The technology organisation is expecting a significant rise in the number of staff working across robotics and digital solutions as it becomes more of a focal point.
-
![Modular and attritable equipment must be a priority: US military]()
Modular and attritable equipment must be a priority: US military
Senior officers and representatives from the US Army, US Air Force and US Navy emphasised the need to expedite acquisition projects for systems and platforms that are more modular. They also highlighted that the loss of equipment is acceptable.
