This new agreement, called the ‘Next Generation Munitions Solution’ (NGMS) is due to commence in January 2023 and will guarantee the delivery of munitions products and engineering support to the UK Armed Forces. It will succeed the current ‘Munitions Acquisition, the Supply Solution’ (MASS) contract, which commenced in 2008 and is due to conclude at the end of 2022.
BAE Systems directly employs 1,260 people who are involved in either munitions manufacturing or test and evaluation at five sites across the UK; Glascoed in Monmouthshire, Radway Green in Cheshire, Washington in Tyne & Wear, Bishopton near Glasgow, and Ridsdale in Northumberland.
It is anticipated that the contract will also help sustain a further 1,500 jobs in the UK supply chain and support a further 1,300 jobs induced by consumer spending in economies local to sites.
The agreement enables BAE Systems to invest £70 million on the refurbishment and upgrade of manufacturing lines, with 75% of this value being invested by 2026. The Company will also spend up to £350m with UK-based companies on raw materials and machine components.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, said: “This contract secures the future of a highly technical and critical industry which supports thousands of manufacturing jobs in several areas throughout the UK. By investing in new technology and skills to further develop expertise, we can continue to deliver essential sovereign capability to the Armed Forces at competitive prices.”
Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said: “This vital multi-billion pound contract will provide service men and women with fire power on the front line for years to come whilst investing in British industry, British jobs and British infrastructure.”
