Defence Secretary announces 'bright future' for Sheffield Forgemasters as Britain spends billions on arms
“I think the work they are doing to support Ukraine is very important for our national security but it’s also generating really good jobs in Sheffield”
The defence secretary said Forgemasters has a “very bright future” as British artillery barrel production restarts in Sheffield and the government pledges billions for defence.
Dan Jarvis MBE toured the firm’s £250m machine shop, under construction near Meadowhall, and hailed the delivery of the first four of 150 barrels to Ukraine.
It is the first time in almost 20 years that forged artillery barrels have been produced in the UK.
The £61m order will support “hundreds of jobs” and comes as the government has announced a £298bn Defence Investment Plan set to create 60,000 jobs across the UK.
MoD-owned Forgemasters is undergoing a £1.3bn expansion to underpin UK defence programmes and arms manufacturer BAE Systems has a new £25m artillery factory at nearby Bessemer Park. The firm says Sheffield is now “at the centre of UK howitzer production.”
Mr Jarvis, who is also MP for Barnsley, said he wanted to make sure the government was investing in South Yorkshire.
He also said incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, had been mayor of Greater Manchester for 10 years and understood the importance of investing in the regional economy and was “committed to devolution.”
Mr Jarvis told The Star he would take “every opportunity” to invest in Forgemasters.
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He added: “It’s a company with a 250-year history and a very bright future. I want to make sure companies like Forgemasters benefit from the investment in the Defence Investment Plan.
“One of the reasons I am here today is to properly understand what they are doing so I can advocate for them with other government departments and governments around the world.
“I think the work they are doing to support Ukraine is very important for our national security but it’s also generating really good jobs in Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
“Absolutely I want to support that process and make sure we are taking every opportunity to invest in the company so they can succeed for the long term.”
Artillery barrels forged in Sheffield are being delivered to Ukraine to support Kyiv’s fight against Russia.
It is the first time in almost 20 years that forged artillery barrels have been produced in the UK.
Mr Jarvis added: “Steel forged in Sheffield defended Britain in its darkest hours. The barrels produced here in South Yorkshire – the first made in Britain in almost two decades – will help Ukraine on the battlefield, while creating good, skilled jobs in the UK.