Beretta Defence Technologies UK (BDT UK) has presented a proposal to manufacture rifles in Britain as part of Project GRAYBURN, which seeks to replace the British Armed Forces’ SA80 service rifle.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during the DSEI 2025 defense exhibition in London.
According to BDT UK’s Land Industrial Strategy, the company intends to build a long-term partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) by establishing domestic production. The plan includes options ranging from partial localization of rifle components to full-scale production in the UK, supported by cost modeling and economic forecasts based on MoD demand.
The company noted that the strategy takes into account previous international experience, including Beretta’s M9 pistol program in the United States and its recent venture with Qatar’s Barzan Holdings, which created the joint company Bindig.
In a statement, BDT UK said the proposal extends beyond the GRAYBURN rifle itself, with the aim of reviving a broader domestic defense manufacturing base. The company envisions expanding small arms production capacity in the UK to meet both military and law enforcement requirements and to support potential exports.
Jack Cadman, Military Group Manager at BDT UK, stated:
“Today’s announcement solidifies our commitment to providing a new individual service weapon to the British Armed Forces and highlights the true economic impact that our plans could have for the UK. For us, GRAYBURN is just the start – we are committed to creating a UK strategic partnership with the MoD to ensure we can deliver for now and for decades to come.”
The GRAYBURN rifle is designed to improve battlefield performance and reliability, while also serving as an opportunity to strengthen sovereign industrial capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence has not yet disclosed a timeline for selecting a replacement for the SA80.
