How difficult is it to manufacture large-caliber artillery barrels? ——On the Hidden Battlefield of Industrial Capacity: The Loss of Manufacturing Capacity in the UK

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How difficult is it to manufacture large-caliber artillery barrels? ——On the Hidden Battlefield of Industrial Capacity: The Loss of Manufacturing Capacity in the UK I. Introduction: When the \"Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets\" Lost Its Artillery Soul 1.1 The Incident of the UK’s Purchase of Artillery Barrels On June 8, 2023, the well-known British defense media site Shepherd Media reported some striking news: the UK intended to purchase 155-mm artillery barrels from the Swedish company Bofors to equip its new generation of self-propelled artillery systems. This means that the UK, once a traditional military power, has lost its capability to manufacture large-caliber artillery barrels independently. The British defense conglomerate BAE Systems also admitted that the UK no longer has the capability to manufacture artillery barrels; it has merely retained the relevant technology and workforce. Previously, the UK experienced multiple artillery barrel explosions due to quality issues with the barrels; as a result, some artillery pieces had to be taken out of service. Now, it is forced to rely on imports. This incident has attracted widespread attention. 1.2 The upheaval and reflections within the military community triggered by the incident The news that the UK had lost its ability to manufacture large-caliber gun barrels caused quite a stir within the military community. Once the \"Empire on which the sun never sets,\" Britain has a strong foundation in the military industry; yet it now faces difficulties with cannon barrels, a key component, which has led many to question the strength of this traditional military power. The barrel of large-caliber artillery is the core of the cannon; its manufacture involves complex materials science and precise manufacturing processes, requiring **very high levels of industrial capability. This situation in the UK not only exposed the shortcomings in its own industrial capabilities, but it also prompted various countries to reevaluate the importance and complexity of cannon barrel manufacturing, recognizing its crucial role in military equipment as well as the underlying **deep-seated issues related to industrial strength. II. The “technical hell” of large-caliber artillery barrels: A full-chain challenge from materials to manufacturing processes. The production of large-caliber artillery barrels represents a highly sophisticated technology in the military industry, involving extreme challenges related to material science and precision machining. 2.1 Materials Science: Seeking balance under \"high temperature and high pressure\" – The internal environment of the barrel is extremely harsh when large-caliber cannons fire. The chamber pressure can reach up to 600 megapascals, equivalent to the pressure at a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean ； The temperature exceeds 3000°C, approaching the temperature in a rocket engine’s combustion chamber ； The projectile rubs against the inner wall of the barrel at speeds of several kilometers per second. Such an environment imposes extremely strict requirements on materials, which need to possess properties such as high strength, heat resistance, and fatigue resistance. In terms of high strength, conventional steel cannot withstand large pressures; electric arc remelting steel or maraging steel must be used, with a yield strength of over 1800 MPa. In the field of high-temperature resistance, the chromium-plated lining technology developed by German company Rheinmetall enables the formation of a 0.2-millimeter-thick chromium layer on the steel surface, raising the heat resistance temperature to 500°C. In terms of fatigue resistance, the 120-mm smoothbore barrel of the American M256 uses a self-tightening process; hydraulic expansion is employed to compress the outer material against the inner layer, creating a prestressed structure that increases its service life by three times. The British L30 155mm cannon experienced barrel explosions due to material issues; the problem was resolved only by adopting a combination of electroslag remelting and self-tightening processes, which shows that material selection is crucial for the manufacturing of large-caliber cannon barrels. 2.2 Precision machining: The machining accuracy for crafting the large-caliber barrels of war machines at a “micron-scale” level must be at the micron level; any minor deviation can affect the firing performance. In terms of the interior surface finish, the friction coefficient between the projectile and the inner wall should be kept below 0.05. The German company Krupp uses a combined process of electrolytic polishing and laser honing to reduce the surface roughness of the interior to Ra0.08 microns, achieving a mirror-like finish. In terms of coaxiality, the deviation between the barrel axis and the bore centerline must be less than 0.02 millimeters; otherwise, the trajectory of the projectile will be distorted. China’s PLZ-05 155-mm artillery utilizes laser tracking and measurement along with CNC boring technology to keep the coaxiality error within 0.015 millimeters. Taper control is also extremely critical; the inner diameter of the barrel must transition smoothly from the muzzle to the cartridge chamber, ensuring stable acceleration of the projectile during firing. Precision machining is another technical challenge in the production of large-caliber artillery barrels; it requires high standards in terms of processing equipment, technological expertise, and operational skills, and it serves as an important criterion for assessing manufacturing capabilities. III. Analysis of the reasons behind Britain’s loss of its capability to manufacture large-caliber artillery barrels 3.1 Changes in the industrial foundation Britain was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and possessed a strong industrial foundation. However, in recent decades, with the transformation of the economic structure, British industry has gradually shifted from heavy industry to the service sector and high-tech industries, while traditional manufacturing has continued to shrink. As the foundation for the production of artillery barrels, the steel industry has seen a significant decline in its production capacity and technical standards. Former steel giants have reduced production or shifted their operations, resulting in a shortage of high-quality cannon steel. There is also a significant loss of talent in the manufacturing sector; experienced craftsmen and engineers are retiring gradually, while the new generation lacks knowledge and interest in traditional manufacturing techniques. The upgrading of industrial equipment is lagging behind, and outdated processing equipment cannot meet the high-precision requirements of modern artillery barrels. These changes in the industrial foundation caused Britain to gradually lose its advantage in the manufacturing of large-caliber artillery barrels, ultimately leading to the loss of its manufacturing capabilities. 3.2 The Role and Investment of the Defense Industry In the UK’s economic structure, the defense industry has held an important position, providing strong support for the UK’s status as a military power. However, in recent years, the UK has paid less attention to its defense industry, with significantly insufficient investment. As the international situation changes and financial pressures increase, the British government is directing more resources to other areas, resulting in a continuous reduction in the budget allocated to the defense industry. In terms of technology research and development, funding shortages prevent the timely research and application of new materials, processes, and technologies, resulting in artillery barrel manufacturing techniques that fail to keep up with international standards. The recruitment and training of talent are also restricted, and a lack of innovation capability has caused the UK to gradually fall behind other countries in the field of cannon barrel manufacturing. The decline in the status of the defense industry and insufficient investment have severely restricted the UK’s capability to manufacture large-caliber artillery barrels, forcing it to rely on imports. IV. Global Perspective: The Technical Levels and Competitiveness of Other Countries in the Field of Large-Caliber Gun Barrel Manufacturing 4.1 Advanced Technologies of Countries Such as the United States and Germany The United States possesses extensive technical expertise in the manufacturing of large-caliber gun barrels. The surface treatment technology for the inner wall of its barrel is advanced; not only is a chromium metal coating widely used, but research is also being conducted on alternative materials such as nickel, molybdenum, cermets, and alloys. Coating formation processes have also diversified, evolving from traditional electroplating and chemical plating to laser thermal cladding, magnetron sputtering, and others. Germany is also determined not to fall behind; Krupp’s combined process of electrolytic polishing and laser honing enables the surface roughness of the inner bore to reach a mirror-like level. Germany also places great emphasis on the research and development of barrel materials. Rheinmetall’s chrome-plated bore technology can significantly raise the maximum temperature tolerance of barrels. In terms of controlling the precision in barrel processing, Germany’s technologies such as laser tracking measurement are at the international forefront, providing solid technical support for the manufacturing of large-caliber artillery barrels. 4.2 The rise of China and the development of developing countries in the field of large-caliber artillery barrel manufacturing are remarkable. In terms of the forging process, the open-die forging method involving multiple forging and drawing steps effectively breaks down the grains, refines the microstructure, and reduces the defect rate. The chromium plating technology for the inner walls of barrels is also constantly evolving. Although it once faced issues such as poor uniformity in the thickness of the chromium layer and insufficient adhesion to the base material, these problems have been gradually addressed through measures like improving processing precision and optimizing the control of the chromium plating process. In terms of material development, efforts are being made to explore new types of gun steel in order to enhance the barrel’s strength, high-temperature resistance, and fatigue resistance. In terms of precision machining technologies, the use of methods such as laser tracking measurement and CNC boring has enabled precision parameters like the coaxiality of the barrel to reach international advanced levels. Through continuous technological innovation and industrial upgrading, China is gradually demonstrating strong competitiveness and development potential in the field of large-caliber artillery barrel manufacturing. 4.3 Technological competition and the global military industry landscape The technological competition among countries in the field of manufacturing large-caliber gun barrels not only demonstrates their respective industrial capabilities, but also profoundly influences the overall structure of the global military industry. Materials research and development in the United States, precision machining in Germany, and the rapid rise of China are all driving continuous progress in military technology. This technological competition drives countries to continuously invest resources in innovation in order to enhance their overall defense capabilities, while also introducing new variables into international military cooperation and competition. V. The Importance of the Manufacturing Capability for Large-Caliber Gun Barrels to **Military Strategy and Industrial Development**
5.1 Impact on Military Strategy
The ability to independently manufacture large-caliber gun barrels is of great significance for the localization of weapons and equipment. If reliance is placed on imports, any tension in the international situation could lead exporting countries to restrict or cut off supplies, resulting in a halt in the production of weapons and equipment and a significant weakening of military strength. Imported barrels may have poor compatibility with domestic artillery systems due to different technical standards, affecting overall performance. Imported products may contain technical \"backdoors\" that could be exploited by the enemy in times of war, posing security risks. Self-production ensures a stable supply of weapons and equipment, reliable performance, and technical security, thereby granting **greater initiative and flexibility in military strategy. 5.2 Promotion of industrial development: The improvement in the manufacturing capacity for large-caliber artillery barrels plays a significant role in promoting industrial development. In terms of technological innovation, to meet the high demands of barrel manufacturing, efforts will be made to promote research and development in fields such as materials science and precision machining, thereby fostering the emergence of new technologies and processes. In terms of economic development, gun barrel manufacturing involves numerous upstream and downstream industries; it can promote the growth of sectors such as steel, machinery, and electronics, create job opportunities, and drive economic expansion. From the perspective of **international competitiveness, having advanced barrel manufacturing technology enhances** competitiveness in the international arms market, attracts more orders, helps to **earn foreign currency, boost international influence, and improve the overall level of the industry**. VI. Conclusion: Emphasizing the Improvement of Industrial Capabilities to Cope with Modern International Competition 6.1 Summary of the Key Aspects in the Manufacturing of Large-Caliber Cannon Barrels The manufacturing of large-caliber cannon barrels is extremely challenging; from a materials science perspective, it is necessary to take into account properties such as high strength, heat resistance, and fatigue resistance ； In precision machining, the accuracy must reach the micron level; there are extremely stringent requirements regarding bore surface finish, coaxiality, and taper control. The UK has lost its manufacturing capabilities due to changes in its industrial base and insufficient investment in the defense industry. Globally, the United States and Germany have advanced technology, while China is also rising. Independently manufacturing large-caliber artillery barrels is of great strategic significance for the military; it enables the localization of weapons and equipment, boosts industrial development, and enhances **international competitiveness. 6.2 It is called for that emphasis be placed on enhancing industrial capacity, as industrial capacity is an **important cornerstone of overall strength and is crucial for improving international competitiveness. Countries should increase investment in research and development in areas such as materials science and precision manufacturing, cultivate innovative talents, and improve their industrial systems. The government should introduce supportive policies to optimize the allocation of industrial resources, promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing industries, and encourage enterprises to undertake technological research and development. Taking the manufacturing of large-caliber artillery barrels as a breakthrough point, it is necessary to comprehensively enhance industrial capabilities so as to gain a competitive edge in modern international competition. If industrial capacity is not improved, **a crisis of technological disparity will arise, resulting in a loss of the upper hand in global competition.