BAE Systems has agreed to build a 155mm artillery ammunition production plant in Poland to boost supplies of heavy shells, the defence company said, days after Russian drones entered Polish airspace.
The plant will manufacture 155mm calibre artillery rounds, a standard NATO calibre used by howitzers across allied forces. Work on the facility is scheduled to begin later this year and could be completed as early as 2027, company officials said. The move comes amid pressure on European stocks of artillery ammunition, which have been strained by high consumption in the war in Ukraine.
Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, said the project will strengthen both Poland's national defence and its contribution to securing NATO's eastern flank. "This is not only important for Poland's own national defence but will also help to enhance its contribution to securing Nato's eastern flank," he said.
Poland has led a wider European drive to rearm since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, increasing defence procurement and calling for expanded munitions production across the continent. Officials in Warsaw have argued for growing domestic manufacturing capacity to reduce dependence on external suppliers and to ensure steady supplies for both national defence and allied commitments.
The announcement follows reports that Russian drones entered Polish airspace earlier this month, an incident that Polish authorities said underscored the need to shore up air and ground defences. BAE's planned factory is intended to address shortages that have emerged as sustained combat operations have depleted war stocks and driven demand for replacement rounds.
Industry and NATO officials have repeatedly urged European nations to expand their industrial base for conventional munitions. Several Western defence contractors and national governments have since announced measures to increase production of artillery shells, rockets and other ammunition types, citing both current operational needs and the need to deter further aggression.
BAE Systems, one of Europe’s largest defence contractors, did not disclose the plant’s planned production capacity or the value of the contract in initial statements. Details about funding, workforce size and potential subcontractors have not yet been released. Polish and company officials said more information would be provided as plans progress.
Analysts say bolstering regional munitions manufacturing could improve NATO's logistical resilience, but building new facilities typically requires several years from groundbreaking to full-rate production. With work slated to start later this year and completion possible in 2027, the plant would contribute to medium-term replenishment efforts while existing supply lines continue to meet immediate battlefield needs.
The project is the latest in a series of steps by NATO members to scale up their ammunition industrial base, reflecting the alliance’s ongoing efforts to adapt to heightened security challenges on its eastern flank.