MP invites defence minister to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land site in Telford
The 'skills cluster' for the defence industry in Telford is an example to the rest of the country, an MP has told parliament.
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Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, invited defence minister Maria Eagle to visit the Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land works in Hadley, as he made the case for a gun-barrel works in his constituency.
Rheinmetall BAE, which manufactures the Challenger 3 tank and Boxer armoured car, is looking for a site to open its first UK gun-barrel factory in more than a decade following a recent co-operation agreement between the British and German governments.
A spokesman for Rheinmetall said the company was working closely with the Department for Business and Trade to determine the most suitable location for the factory, with production scheduled to begin in 2027.
The agreement, signed in October, will also see Britain and Germany work together on the development of long-range strike weapons and systems to defend against them.
During a Commons debate on defence industry strategy, Mr Pritchard argued that the 'skills cluster' around the Rheinmetall BAE should be a major consideration when deciding on the location of the works.
He asked: "As part of the defence industrial strategy, does the Minister of State recognise the link between successful defence vehicle manufacturing, such as Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land manufacturing the Challenger 3 tank in my constituency, and the onshoring of barrel technology and defence engineering?
"Does she recognise the link between that skills cluster and the importance of companies such as RBSL having a future in manufacturing not just vehicles but barrels? I look forward to her visit to my constituency in the coming days."
Miss Eagle agreed that the creating clusters of excellence for specialist skills were very important in driving efficiency.
"I do not disagree at all," she said. "I look forward to visiting the right honourable gentleman’s constituency and to seeing the potential of firms. "He is completely correct that clusters of excellence and skill are the way forward. I look forward to visiting his constituency shortly."