Britain is reportedly seeking self-sufficiency amid concerns about Washington’s reliability
The UK will sharply boost explosives production to reduce dependence on the US, The Times reported on Sunday. The outlet cited a growing concern over the reliability of American military support.
According to the report, shipping containers will be deployed across the UK to manufacture RDX, a key explosive used in 155mm artillery rounds and other British weapons.
BAE Systems, Britain’s only producer of the rounds, also plans to build three new sites to improve the system’s resilience, according to Steve Cardew, business development director at BAE’s Maritime and Land Defence Solutions.
“One large facility is clearly a big security threat. If you have dispersed facilities, it is much more secure,” Cardew told the outlet.
Traditionally, RDX has been made in large, inefficient plants. Cardew said the container-based model would be faster, cheaper, and more efficient, with each unit capable of producing up to 100 tonnes annually.
He said the ramp-up was essential “to effectively match Russia and other hostile nations,” adding that rising global demand had “forced” BAE to speed up production.
The report noted the UK had supplied much of its 155mm ammunition to Ukraine as part of its multi-billion-pound military assistance.
It also cited US President Donald Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy – including tariffs and a temporary halt to military and intelligence aid to Kiev – as a reason the UK and EU are increasingly wary of relying on American weapons.
Tensions between Washington and European NATO members have been growing over Trump’s push for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict and plans to transfer more security responsibility to Europe once a truce is in place. He has repeatedly called on European NATO members to invest more in their militaries, arguing the US bears too much of the burden.
Currently, 155mm rounds made with US-sourced explosives are subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (Itar), restricting their use and resale without US approval.
Cardew said BAE, which previously imported RDX from the US and France, will be able to market its own ‘Itar-free’ products globally once local production ramps up.
The company aims for a 16-fold increase in 155mm rounds when its new plant in south Wales opens this summer.
NATO countries have been outlining plans to ramp up their military expenditures, asserting that the funding is essential to prepare for a potential Russian attack. Moscow has denied any aggressive intentions, with President Vladimir Putin describing the speculation as “complete nonsense.”
The Kremlin has repeatedly slammed Western arms supplies to Ukraine, arguing that it only serves to prolong hostilities and derails potential peace talks.
