Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General visit Sheffield Forgemasters

Defence Secretary, John Healey, met NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, at Sheffield Forgemasters to see how the company is supporting the delivery of Royal Navy submarines and gun barrels for artillery.

 

Innovation and growth through the UK’s defence industry was the focus of the visit, to see how the company manufactures specialist steel parts used in critical defence programmes, including nuclear-grade steel components for the Royal Navy’s attack submarines.

 

The factory, which employs 725 skilled staff, is symbolic of the Government’s plan to harness defence as an engine for growth and how investment in the UK’s defence industry not only boosts British jobs but strengthens the defence and deterrence of the NATO alliance. 

 

Defence Secretary, John Healey said: “Sheffield Forgemasters sits in one of Britain’s proudest industrial heartlands, and it is at the heart of our drive to shift our sovereign defence industry to warfighting readiness, supporting hundreds of skilled jobs in the process.

 

“It was a pleasure to tour its factory with the NATO Secretary General, where we discussed this government’s plan to put NATO first as we deliver on our landmark Strategic Defence Review.

 

“NATO is critical to UK security and global security, which is why we are stepping up to lead in Europe, investing in powerful new technologies to support growth and boost our national security.”

 

NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, said: “The renewal of the UK’s defence industry will not only enhance Allied security but boost national prosperity as well. It is a vital component in ensuring warfighting readiness.

 

“The United Kingdom has a rich heritage in manufacturing and innovation, and Sheffield Forgemasters is an excellent example of this. Harnessing this legacy will be critical to enabling NATO to effectively deter and defend against future threats.”

 

Sheffield Forgemasters will restart manufacturing for artillery gun barrels, the first time they have been produced by the UK in decades.