The UK plans to relaunch the M777 howitzer production

4 January, 2024 M777 155mm howitzers for Ukraine. April 2022. Photo credits: U.S.

Department of Defense The British company BAE Systems plans to relaunch the production of M777 howitzers and spare parts for them. The Financial Times reported on this.

The restoration of production is due to the increased demand for M777 howitzers, which are used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the US Army, and the Marine Corps. Currently, the largest operator of British howitzers is the United States, which has over 1,200 howitzers of this type in service.

M777 howitzer of the Australian Defence Force. Photo credits: Australian military

In addition, according to BAE Systems, other European and Asian countries, as well as Canada and Australia, which donated their howitzers to Ukraine, are also interested in purchasing the M777.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine using the M777 howitzers demonstrates their excellent capabilities for accurate and long-range fire against the enemy. This display was an advertisement for the British arms manufacturer, which expects new contracts for these guns in the near future. The production of M777 howitzer parts by BAE is expected to start at the Barrow-in-Furness facility shortly, and they will be transferred to the United States for final assembly in 2025.

The M777 howitzer was developed by the British company VSEL (Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering) in 2003 as an ultra-light 155-mm field howitzer for transportation by helicopters.

Gunners of the 406th Artillery Brigade fire with an M777 howitzer. Photo credits: 406th Artillery Brigade

After receiving a large order from the Pentagon, BAE Systems moved the production of some parts to the United States, along with final assembly and field testing. Militarnyi previously reported that the Japanese government plans to supply 155mm artillery ammunition to the United Kingdom as part of facilitating export requirements.

The transfer of 155-mm artillery shells to the United Kingdom will not violate the "Three Principle" export conditions adopted by the Japanese government in 2014.

This is also due to the fact that both countries wish to help Ukraine with weapons and ammunition.

For this reason, Japan intends to transfer its artillery ammunition to the United Kingdom, while the UK will transfer artillery ammunition from its own depots to Ukraine.