BAE wins £3bn ammunition contract

Arms giant BAE Systems has signed a 15-year deal with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to supply ammunition to British troops. Defence officials said the contract, worth up to £3 billion, will ensure frontline forces have a secure supply of bullets. The long-term agreement will also allow BAE to carry out much-needed modernisation work on munitions factories in the UK, some of which are relying on machinery dating back to the Second World War. The announcement will safeguard 1,700 jobs at the firm's plants in Birtley, County Durham, Glascoed, South Wales, and Radway Green in Crewe. A £120 million investment programme at the three sites will improve efficiency and make the facilities safer. Under the arrangement, the firm will supply around 80% of the ammunition used by the military for operations and training, from 5.56mm... [read full story]