The British Government is set to purchase up to 7,000 long-range precision weapons, marking a significant step in enhancing the UK’s defence readiness and manufacturing capabilities.
The procurement forms part of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review (SDR), a blueprint aimed at reinforcing national security amidst growing global threats.
This large-scale investment will support around 800 jobs directly, with the initiative underpinned by £1.5 billion in new funding for munitions and energetics factories.
At least six new production facilities are planned across the United Kingdom, expected to generate nearly 2,000 roles in total. The move aligns with the government’s broader Plan for Change, which integrates defence priorities with national economic growth.
The long-range weapons, designed and built domestically, will be tailored for modern high-intensity combat. The strategy draws from key lessons learned during the conflict in Ukraine, where extended-range firepower has played a decisive role in shaping the battlefield.
A central focus of the SDR is the creation of a continuous production model to ensure the UK can rapidly increase its munitions output when necessary. This includes strengthening stockpile resilience to maintain operational effectiveness during prolonged military campaigns.
Scotland is expected to be a major hub for the expansion, with defence manufacturing sites such as BAE Systems in Glasgow and Raytheon’s facilities in Glenrothes already playing a critical role in artillery and missile component production. The additional investment will further bolster Scotland’s contribution to the UK’s defence sector.
The plan is part of the government’s commitment to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, reversing years of reduced investment and addressing what the SDR describes as the previous hollowing out of the Armed Forces. Munitions funding alone is set to rise to £6 billion during the current Parliament, reflecting the need for greater strategic autonomy and industrial resilience.
This ten-year defence transformation will focus on strengthening the UK’s position within NATO, restoring military credibility, and expanding defence production capacity nationwide.
With 7,000 long-range strike weapons on order, Britain is entering a new era of deterrence and preparedness—ensuring both national security and skilled job creation for years to come.
