BAE Systems: Explosion at military weapons factory in Monmouthshire

Fire crews were called to the scene of an explosion at a site belonging to BAE Systems, Britain's biggest defence firm.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the incident happened at the BAE base in Glascoed, Monmouthshire, at around 10.49am on Wednesday, 17 April.

In a tweet on X, the fire service said an "incident control post has been set up to deal with the incident".

A BAE Systems spokesperson said: "We can confirm that there was an incident at our Glascoed facility in Wales this morning.

"Tried and tested safety protocols were immediately enacted and emergency services attended the site.

"All personnel are accounted for and there were no injuries. Our emergency response team continue to monitor the facility and a full investigation has been launched."

The weapons factory site in Glascoed was built in 1938 and established to help prepare the Royal Navy ahead of the Second World War. It now employs around 500 people.

Commenting on today’s explosion local MP David Davies said:

“I have spoken at length with senior management at BAE Systems. I understand it was an explosion that happened in a remote part of the site that had been set aside to take apart shells and this was being done by remote control.

"The explosion did not cause any injuries, evacuation procedures were immediately instigated and everything was thoroughly checked.

“I am told there is always a small risk involved in this particular operation, which is exactly why it is carried out with remote control in a restricted area of the site. There were no risks to any members of the public.”

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