'Leap forward' for BAE in weapon manufacture

WEAPONS giant BAE Systems says it has made a “leap forward” in its production of munitions that promises to strengthen UK supplies.

- TOM KEIGHLEY

The engineering giant says the breakthrough in production will benefit its factories in the North East, at Washington, in Cheshire and Monmouthshire. Bosses say they have developed new approaches to the manufacturing of energetics and propellants - critical materials in the making of munitions.

A pilot programme has already proven the technological breakthrough in explosives manufacturing, with BAE saying it could remove the need for a large-scale explosive factory. It says the new propellant type and its associated manufacturing process has been demonstrated in a wide range of products, including small arms and large calibre munitions.