The Ministry of Defence has placed contracts with 22 companies to examine possible sites for new factories producing energetic materials used in munitions.
The contracts, worth up to £300,000 each, will fund feasibility studies by companies including small and medium-sized businesses in England, Scotland and Wales. The work is part of government efforts to rebuild domestic ammunition and energetics manufacturing capability.
Energetic materials include explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics. The MOD said these substances are essential components of weapons including small arms, artillery, mortars, countermeasures, bombs and missiles.
The studies will focus on which sites could be used to build at least six new munitions factories. The government said the programme is intended to support defence readiness, improve security of supply and bring high-skilled manufacturing back to industrial communities.
The MOD said the war in Ukraine had shown the importance of rapid industrial resupply of munitions. It described the work as part of developing a sovereign, continuous pipeline for munitions supply to support the UK’s ability to defend itself and deter threats.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the government was seeking to restore sovereign manufacturing capabilities after decades of decline. He said investment across England, Scotland and Wales would strengthen readiness and security of supply while supporting at least 1,000 high-skilled jobs in future.
The government said at least 13 potential sites had been identified in November 2025, including locations in Monmouthshire, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway, North Ayrshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Essex, Worcestershire, Hampshire, Pembrokeshire and Falkirk. Companies are expected to return findings by the end of September 2026, with construction planned to start by the end of 2026.