Arms factories vow to tackle 'era of threat'

THE UK lacks a plan to defend itself from a military attack, MPs warned as the Gov- ernment promised to boost its readiness with new arms factories.

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At least 13 sites across the UK have been identified for new factories to make munitions and military explosives, with Defence Secretary John Healey expecting the arms industry to break ground at the first plant next year.

In a speech in London he will say the “new era of threat” presents an economic opportunity with at least 1,000 new jobs to be created.

His speech comes as the Commons Defence Committee issued a stark warning about the UK's ability to fight a war and meet its Nato obligations in the wake of Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.