BERETTA for the British

Beretta Defence Technologies UK (BDT UK) has announced its Land Industrial Strategy for Project GRAYBURN. The launch, which took place at DSEI UK, marks a clear statement of intent from the business, aiming to replace the British Armed Forces’ in-service rifle, the SA80.  

BDT UK’s Land Industrial Strategy sets out the business’ plan for creating a strategic partnership with the MoD, onshoring the required technology to restart a domestic small arms capability – the first time in over 20 years. Within the document, BDT UK sets out a range of industrialisation options, including making 5%, 20% and 100% of the rifles’ components in the UK. Using three different rifle production ranges, BDT UK has demonstrated the change in unit price, domestic investment and UK jobs associated with different MoD demand levels. The contents of the document have been developed over the past year, using the wider BDT group’s deep experience in localisation following contracts such as Baretta’s M9 pistol in the USA and the recent creation of Bindig in Qatar as a joint venture with Barzan Holdings. 

The publication of this strategy establishes BDT UK’s aim to redevelop and reinvigorate a sovereign small arms capability in the UK. It also demonstrates the potential of Project GRAYBURN as a vehicle for domestic investment, employment and future exports. But for BDT UK, Project GRAYBURN is the kickstarter for a wider strategic partnership between Defence and industry – offering the potential for the domestic manufacturing of additional small arms capabilities to meet future UK military and Law Enforcement demand, in addition to the export market.   

BDT UK is committed to developing the next individual service weapon in the UK that provides increased lethality and confidence amongst front-line personnel. The launch of this Land Industrial Strategy marks an important development in the future of UK small arms. 

BDT online