Defence Secretary Wes Streeting Unveils Telford Gun Hall: A New Era in Defence Innovation

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, it is a tremendous honour to stand before you today, alongside our esteemed German ambassador, Shaun Davies, and the local Member of Parliament, who tirelessly champions Telford on both national and international platforms. Today marks a significant occasion as we officially inaugurate the new UK Gun Hall. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Armin, Rebecca, and the entire team at Rheinmetall, not only for orchestrating this remarkable event but also for their longstanding commitment to investment in Britain, which directly supports jobs and enriches our communities.

Celebrating Industrial Heritage and Future Ambitions

The presence of various leaders and representatives from government, industry, and the military underscores the vital importance of this new facility. The significance of what we are commemorating today cannot be overstated. As someone with a deep appreciation for our nation’s history, I am acutely aware that we are in close proximity to the cradle of British industry, a region synonymous with engineering and manufacturing excellence.

This occasion is particularly poignant as we celebrate the revitalisation of that unique industrial strength. Today serves as a testament to our confidence in the future of our country and our commitment to reindustrialising Britain. It is a clear indication of our intent to create high-quality, well-paid jobs throughout the nation, while simultaneously reinforcing the capabilities of our armed forces.

The facility we are inaugurating today is not merely a manufacturing plant; it represents something far grander and more ambitious. We are opening the door to enhanced readiness and resilience. For the first time in decades, artillery gun barrels will be produced on British soil, crafted from British steel sourced from Forgemasters. As mentioned earlier, this initiative will generate one hundred jobs here and countless more throughout the supply chain across the nation.

Supporting the Armed Forces and Strengthening Alliances

The Gun Hall will also play a crucial role in supplying the next generation of equipment for the British Army, ensuring we achieve the necessary firepower to be combat-ready by 2030. Furthermore, this facility embodies the deepening defence industrial partnership between the United Kingdom and our German allies.

All of this signifies a new era of hope and opportunity for Telford, the wider region, and our nation as we navigate a landscape of emerging threats and challenges. As the Chief of the General Staff recently articulated, we are continuously learning about the evolving nature of the conflict in Ukraine. Despite the technological advancements observed on the battlefield, traditional weaponry retains its relevance in modern warfare.

Nevertheless, these armaments cannot be produced effortlessly. In times of conflict, the capacity and capability of our industry cannot simply be summoned at will. To deter and, if necessary, defeat our adversaries, Britain must possess the capability to manufacture critical defence components domestically, and in adequate numbers. We require the ability to ramp up production and replenish stockpiles in response to escalating threats, supported by robust supply chains and the broader industrial resilience necessary to sustain our armed forces through prolonged engagements.

Investing in Defence for National Growth

While the emergence of drones, artificial intelligence, and autonomy is undeniable, it is insufficient to out-innovate those who wish to do us harm; we must also outproduce them. The advantage increasingly resides with those who can manufacture at scale and deploy capabilities most swiftly. Rheinmetall in Telford will be instrumental in achieving this goal.

This is where our ambition to translate defence investment into jobs, skills, and growth across every postcode is realised. The current threat environment necessitates the most substantial sustained increase in defence investment since the end of the Cold War.

I recognise that investing in defence entails trade-offs and difficult decisions in other areas of government spending, which may come at a cost to the taxpayer. Therefore, sustained public support for defence investment hinges on the ability to demonstrate not only how it bolsters our national security but also how it enhances everyday life, ensuring we have a Britain worth defending.

Creating Opportunities Across the UK

This means extending opportunities to every corner of the country. Currently, nearly seventy percent of defence investment is allocated outside London and the South East, and we will soon outline how communities throughout every nation and region of the UK will experience and benefit from this defence dividend.

In the West Midlands, the defence economy boasts a value of £1.8 billion, directly supporting approximately 8,000 jobs, with Rheinmetall leading the charge. Defence investment can also aid in addressing the pressing issue of over a million young individuals who are currently out of work, education, or training.

Thus, while increasing expenditure is essential, it is equally important to scrutinise how every pound spent on defence benefits Britain overall. Does it reinforce our industrial base? Does it drive innovation? Does it create skilled employment opportunities, particularly for our youth? Over the next decade, this facility will unequivocally affirm positive answers to these pivotal questions.

Strengthening Defence through Collaboration

As it does so, it will inject over £400 million into the UK economy. This exemplifies my assertion that the Ministry of Defence can serve as a ministry for growth and opportunity—not merely by increasing spending, but by investing judiciously in the people, places, and businesses that bolster our national security and foster our national rejuvenation.

All NATO member states are grappling with similar challenges amidst rising threats and tightening finances. As we confront these realities, we must ensure that healthy competition does not devolve into self-defeating rivalry and protectionism. This factory serves as a reminder that robust domestic industries and deeper allied integration are not mutually exclusive; when executed correctly, each reinforces the other.

On numerous fronts, the interests of the UK and Germany align—nowhere is this more evident than in the realms of defence and security. As the two largest economies in Europe and the leading investors in defence, it is only logical that we unite in a common endeavour. Our partnership is not an end in itself; rather, it is about what we can collectively achieve for our nations.

Mobilising Resources for a Secure Future

The critical measure should not be the origin of every single component of our equipment, but rather whether our joint industrial base can meet the needs of our armed forces when required. An alliance capable of mobilising its armies must equally be able to mobilise its industries. This is the essence of the Trinity House agreement, which enhances defence cooperation between our two nations. By collaborating, we can cultivate domestic manufacturing capabilities to deliver swiftly and ultimately reinforce NATO, which serves the interests of us all.

In this new age of insecurity, we must not only increase our spending but also enhance its effectiveness. We are already taking steps to better prepare our forces, equipping them with improved training, equipment, and resources. We are committed to producing more, and we are fulfilling that commitment right here in a region steeped in industrial heritage, honouring its past while investing in its future. The threats we face are tangible and increasingly imminent; we must rise to the occasion, and together, we shall.

Thank you for your presence here today and for the remarkable efforts that have culminated in this exceptional facility.