Planned cooperation will bring defense manufacturing and assembly capabilities to the Netherlands for two IWI weapon platformsTilburg, Netherlands – IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), an SK Group company and global leader in small arms manufacturing, and Artillerie Inrichtingen Armaments (AIA), a Netherlands-based defense company, are planning to establish local manufacturing and assembly of IWI weapons and systems in the Netherlands, combining Israeli defense technology and expertise with Dutch industrial capacity.

Under the planned cooperation, AIA will manufacture and assemble two IWI weapon platforms in a factory to be established in the Netherlands: the ARAD 5 rifle and the NEGEV UX. IWI will provide the underlying technology, product expertise and manufacturing know-how, while AIA will establish the Dutch manufacturing operation and the infrastructure to deliver and support the products.

The planned cooperation will establish a foundation for long-term domestic production, technical expertise and lifecycle support in the Netherlands. By bringing manufacturing and assembly onshore, the initiative will advance the country’s defense industrial base and create a new model for collaboration between Dutch industry and an established international defense manufacturer.

“The future of defense manufacturing will be shaped by the ability to turn proven technology into operational capability where it is needed,” said SK Group’s Vice Chairman Ronen Hamudot. “We see this cooperation as an opportunity to bring our decades of experience developing and manufacturing weapon platforms for demanding operational environments into a new industrial setting. Our focus remains on delivering proven, reliable solutions while building the manufacturing relationships needed to serve defense and security customers over the long term.”

“A strong Dutch industrial base is fundamental to national security,” said AIA CEO Mr. Gerard Zondervan. “The Netherlands needs the ability to manufacture, develop expertise and support the defense systems on which its security depends. This cooperation is a step toward a future in which Dutch industry plays a greater role in delivering the defense capabilities our country needs.”

IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), part of the SK Group, is the main supplier to the Israeli Army and Israeli Police, with combat-proven products used by military, law enforcement and special forces in over 60 countries across diverse operational environments. Renowned for developing the iconic UZI, IWI continues to set benchmarks in firearm innovation and reliability, developing advanced systems like the ARAD, the NEGEV light machine gun, and the TAVOR. For more information, visit: iwi.net.   

Artillerie Inrichtingen Armaments (AIA) is a Dutch defence company developing and manufacturing ammunition, weapon systems and counter-drone solutions, including remotely controlled weapon stations (RCWS). The name Artillerie Inrichtingen has roots in Dutch defence manufacturing dating back to 1679. Today, AIA builds on that heritage by combining engineering expertise with practical experience, taking projects from initial design through to production. Through cooperation with international partners, AIA works to strengthen the Dutch defence industrial base and meet the operational needs of modern armed forces. For more information, visit: ai-armaments.com.

Rheinmetall officially opened the new ‘UK Gun Hall’ in Telford in the presence of the British Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, thereby marking the return of independent production of large-calibre weapons to the UK. The UK Gun Hall forms part of Rheinmetall’s wider investment of more than £200 million across its UK operations over the past five years, demonstrating the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening Britain’s defence industrial base. The investment complements Rheinmetall UK’s work on the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle, Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank programme and future land capability programmes. The ‘Gun Hall’ is a concrete example of the industrial partnership between the United Kingdom and Germany established under the Trinity House Agreement.

The facility is expected to support over 100 highly skilled people as production develops while creating opportunities for British businesses, strengthening domestic supply chains and delivering long-term economic value. Rheinmetall currently employs around 685 people in Telford, including 35 at the UK Gun Hall. This represents a significant long-term investment in Britain’s defence industrial base, supporting warfighting readiness and contributing to the government’s ambition to make defence an engine for growth.

The Gun Hall will manufacture 120mm and 155mm weapon systems, including those supporting Challenger 3 and future artillery platforms. The facility offers 11,500 m² of production space. At peak capacity, it can produce up to 245 barrels per year across both calibres, as well as more than 50 breeches annually. Designed to meet growing UK, NATO and international demand, the facility provides scalable manufacturing capacity that strengthens collective deterrence, enhances industrial resilience and reinforces Britain’s contribution to European and NATO security.

From concept to reality at pace, Rheinmetall transformed an empty facility into an operational manufacturing capability in just eight months. The achievement demonstrates Rheinmetall’s ability to respond rapidly to UK defence requirements and translate investment commitments into sovereign capability. During this period, advanced manufacturing equipment was installed and commissioned, specialist expertise was transferred to the UK workforce, and production commenced on schedule.

Production of breeches and breech blocks began in May 2026, followed by barrel production in June 2026, in line with programme milestones. The successful manufacture of the first UK-produced breech, breech block and barrels demonstrates the capability to manufacture these complex weapon components on British soil.

Looking ahead, Rheinmetall intends to introduce British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters into production, further strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting Britain’s steel industry.

The facility was officially opened at a ceremony hosted by Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, and the Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Defence, bringing together representatives from Government, the Armed Forces and industry to celebrate the return of this critical manufacturing capability to the UK.

Central to the programme has been investment in British people and skills. UK employees undertook extensive training and knowledge transfer at Rheinmetall’s production facility in Unterlüß, Germany, gaining advanced expertise in precision manufacturing, quality assurance and specialist weapon production before bringing that critical knowledge back to Telford.

Rheinmetall has also recruited specialist skills from across the Telford region, demonstrating the strength of the local engineering and manufacturing sector. As production ramps up, Rheinmetall will continue to develop its workforce and work closely with UK small and medium-sized enterprises to build resilient, long-term domestic supply chains.

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Defence, said:

“Britain is back in the business of making the weapons that our Armed Forces need to defend the nation against our adversaries. From an empty site to full production in eight months, this is rapid reindustrialisation in action. One hundred skilled jobs in world-class manufacturing and the return of large-calibre weapon production to UK soil for the first time in twenty years – this is what defence as an engine for growth looks like.” 

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said:

“Today’s opening is an important milestone for Rheinmetall and for the United Kingdom. In a remarkably short period of time, we have turned our commitment into a sovereign manufacturing capability that will strengthen Britain’s defence industrial base for decades to come. The UK has been a long-standing and valued partner for Rheinmetall, and today we are building on an already strong relationship. We are committed to investing in the UK for the long term, expanding our industrial footprint and working together to deliver the capabilities needed for the future. By combining Rheinmetall’s expertise with British skills, innovation and manufacturing, we are strengthening the UK’s sovereign industrial capacity, supporting the Armed Forces and contributing to the security of NATO and Europe.”

Rebecca Richards, Managing Director of Rheinmetall UK, said:

“The official opening of our UK Gun Hall is a landmark moment for Rheinmetall UK and for Britain’s defence industrial base. In just eight months, we transformed an empty facility into an operational manufacturing capability by investing in British people, British skills and British industry. From the outset, we have listened to what the UK needs and focused on delivering sovereign capability at pace. By transferring specialist knowledge from Germany and developing a highly skilled British workforce here in Telford, we are creating skilled jobs, supporting British businesses and building the industrial capacity needed to equip our Armed Forces while investing in the long-term prosperity of the UK.”

The UK Gun Hall is a tangible example of the UK-Germany industrial partnership established under the Trinity House Agreement. By combining Rheinmetall’s established manufacturing expertise in Germany with sovereign production capability in Britain, the programme demonstrates how allied industrial cooperation can accelerate delivery, strengthen resilience and enhance NATO’s collective security.

Together, these investments are strengthening sovereign capability, creating highly skilled British jobs, supporting UK businesses and supply chains, and demonstrating how defence investments can deliver both national security and national prosperity.