LONDON, March 3 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has opened a new ammunition factory in Britain with a production capacity of a million rounds a day.
The factory, which is also a company center of excellence for bulk ammunition production, is located near Crewe in Cheshire at an existing company site.
"The official opening is a major milestone in the modernization of our U.K.'s munitions manufacturing facilities," said Ian Anderton, the managing director of BAE Systems' munitions business area. This facility, alongside similar transformed facilities at Glascoed, South Wales and Washington, near Newcastle will help drive down costs and maximize future efficiencies to the benefit of our customers, both in the U.K. and in our export markets."
The plant/center is part of a 15-year $3.3 billion partnering agreement between the company and Britain's Ministry of Defense to improve the country's supply of ammunition.
"Thanks to a 2 billion-pound ($3.3 billion) investment from the Ministry of Defense and BAE Systems, a state of the art munitions facility has opened," Minister for Defense Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said. "Capable of producing 1 million rounds every day, it will not only protect 450 local jobs but leaves no doubt of British expertise and skills in manufacturing. This is not only a vital boost for the local economy, but will improve supplies to our armed forces on the frontline."
