BAE to suspend howitzer production
Production of the 155mm M777 howitzer system at BAE Systems’ plant in Barrow in the UK is to be suspended, according to an official announcement.
In a statement on 16 October, the company blamed ‘on-going delays in the US Government Foreign Military Sales [FMS] of 145 M777s howitzers to the Government [of] India’. It stated that unless the orders materialise, the plant would not continue production.
However, the plant will start running down its activities immediately but will still continue to produce spares. A 45-day period of consultation is due to start with trade unions and employee representatives about the
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2026)]()
Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2026)
Leopard MBTs are German-made main battle tanks that have been in service since the Cold War and have undergone several upgrades to remain competitive in modern warfare. This article traces the history and development of the Leopard 1 and 2 as well as its variants, operational service and future prospects.
-
![Predicted air defence spending boom opens doors to Indian industry]()
Predicted air defence spending boom opens doors to Indian industry
Recent conflicts have created a surge in interceptor demand worldwide while exposing potential supply chain challenges, positioning India as a cost-effective partner and scalable supplier.
-
![March land forces roundup: A new war confronts the old drone problem]()
March land forces roundup: A new war confronts the old drone problem
The attack by the US and Israel on Iran which began at the end of February presented a Ukraine-like scenario of drone-led warfare – in fact the same drone type in the Shahed – and the problem of how to counter them.
-
![The overlooked ally: Canadian support for Ukraine surpasses some European partners]()
The overlooked ally: Canadian support for Ukraine surpasses some European partners
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Canada has committed more military assistance than France in terms of GDP.
