A Yorkshire-based defence company will begin the production of barrels for the first time in almost two decades, as the UK ramps up its military supplies to Ukraine in 2025.

At the same time, it has also been announced that the UK will deliver a new mobile air defence capability to Ukraine this year.

Defence Equipment & Support has placed a £61 million contract with defence giant BAE Systems to produce the barrel forgings, working with Sheffield Forgemasters. The barrels will be produced in Yorkshire, before being sent to Ukraine for finishing and integration.

With firms across the UK ramping up production to meet Ukraine’s requirements, funding for Ukraine will directly support the UK deference industry, creating UK jobs, and delivering on this government’s growth agenda and Plan for Change.

That includes BAE Systems and Sheffield Forgemasters who, for the first time in almost two decades, will produce artillery barrels for artillery guns.

In addition, Gravehawk, a UK designed air defence system, also procured by us on behalf of the International Fund for Ukraine, has been rapidly developed to meet Ukrainian needs on the battlefield.

The innovative system, which is the size of a shipping container, is able to retrofit air-air missiles for ground-based air defence, meaning it can use Ukrainian missiles already in their Armed Forces’ possession.

With Ukraine under constant Russian bombardment, the Gravehawk system will boost Ukraine’s air defences, allowing them to defend their cities, troops and critical infrastructure.

Two prototypes of the air defence capability system were tested in Ukraine in September, and a further 15 will follow this year.

Announcing this in Ukraine during his first visit to the country as Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said:

“Ukraine’s security is our security. We must continue to do everything possible to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest position – that is why the UK is going further than ever before, ramping up military and humanitarian support.

“The British people have never wavered in their support for Ukraine and today UK firms are stepping up to support Ukraine’s military capabilities. We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine.”

Defence Secretary John Healey said:

“We are stepping up UK support for Ukraine throughout 2025. Our plan will increase Ukraine’s military capability, expand our training offer, strengthen defence industrial ties and dial up the pressure on Putin.”

Major General Anna-Lee Reilly CB, FREng, Director Strategic Capability, Engagement and Operations, DE&S, said:

“Not only do these contracts provide vital equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, they also re-establish barrel manufacturing in the UK for the first time in a generation. This is a great example of the MOD, DE&S and defence industry working together to support Ukraine.”

This year the UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever before, with £3 billion already committed for lethal aid, and the first £1.5 billion from a £2.26 billion loan as part of the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration scheme set to be released for major procurement projects. The loan will be repaid using the extraordinary profits on immobilised Russian sovereign assets.

The £4.5 billion boost for Ukraine in 2025 will see the UK will procure hundreds more air defence systems, drones and essential equipment support to sustain Ukrainian forces on the front line.