MBDA in Bolton supplying arms for Ukraine war effort

Over Hulton based MBDA has been making arms in the North West for nearly a century and most recently has been supplying the Ukrainian military after the recent Russian invasion.

The company says it hopes to continue recruiting across Bolton and beyond to support the Ministry of Defence.

MBDA UK managing director Chris Allam said: “We are very proud of our 90-year history of defence manufacturing in the north-west in support of the MOD and key British allies.

“To support the growing workforce of over 1,100 at our Bolton site we are undertaking a multi-million-pound investment that will double our manufacturing footprint and we are continuing to recruit in order to support the MoD in their critical role.”

The Ministry of Defence (Image: MoD)

This week defence secretary Grant Shapps MP visited the facilities, along with other arms companies in the region, to see the processes for himself.

This included seeing how some of the UK’s most lethal weaponry like the Storm-Shadow and Brimstone missiles have been manufactured to be gifted to the Ukrainian military.

With 22,000 BAE Systems jobs in the north-west alone, 57 per cent of the company’s total UK-based workforce, BAE Systems is said to be an example of how the British defence industry is strengthening the economy and providing opportunity in the region.  

The MOD says it will continue to invest in the region, currently spending more than £2.5 billion a year to support the defence industry.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 the UK donated weaponry and ammunition to the Ukrainian military, some of which has been manufactured at MBDA’s Bolton facility.

The UK has also helped to train Ukrainian forces during that time.

Mr Shapps used his visit to praise companies like MBDA for doing so.

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He said: “People remain at the heart of UK defence and today I had the privilege to meet staff who play such a crucial role in ensuring our nation’s security and supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom.  

“We will continue to invest in defence and skills across the north-west, supporting jobs and communities across the region.”

Mr Shapps met some of the workforce during his visit to MBDA’s Over Hulton facility where armaments like the Storm-Shadow, ASRAAM and Brimstone missiles are made.

Aside from its role in the Ukraine conflict, MBDA also builds Sea Viper missiles, which are mounted on Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer ships to be used in the Red Sea through the international taskforce Operation Prosperity Guardian.

Mounted on the Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyers, the Sea Viper missile represents one of the most accurate and long-ranging missile systems in service.