UK to boost production of explosives, shells to hedge against dependence on US

London, Apr 21 (UNI) As part of efforts to eliminate dependence on the United States and France in the production of ammunition, the United Kingdom intends to significantly increase the production of hexogen explosive, which is used in NATO 155-millimeter shells, the Times newspaper reported, citing a UK defense company.

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According to the publication, large British defense company BAE Systems, the country's only manufacturer of 155-millimeter artillery shells, previously imported RDX (hexogen) from the US and France, but against the backdrop of the policies of US President Donald Trump, British and European defense companies are refusing to buy American equipment.

Cargo containers for the production of RDX explosives will be installed in the UK, and by summer this year, BAE will have increase the production of 155-millimeter rounds 16-fold over two years, the publication says.