The UK’s only structural titanium foundry – and Europe’s largest – has secured more than £9 million in new defence contracts, underlining a growing shift towards sovereign manufacturing capability amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

Rotherham-based Castings Technology has won the work from a leading UK manufacturer, with contracts covering both repeat orders and new components for defence systems supporting Ukraine. Crucially, the components were previously produced in the United States, marking a clear move towards reshoring critical supply chains.

The company’s unique position as the only European foundry capable of producing large-scale structural titanium castings proved decisive in securing the contracts.

Shaun Smith, chief commercial officer, said: "These contracts reflect both the strength of our technical capability and a significant shift in how manufacturers across the UK and Europe are thinking about their supply chains. Geopolitical pressures are driving the reshoring of critical production and spurring investment in sovereign capabilities, and demand for what we do is growing."

The components – some exceeding two metres in length – require a combination of thin-wall and thick-wall investment casting techniques and represent some of the highest-integrity titanium castings produced globally. The new platform work was awarded following a competitive process, with Castings Technology selected for both its technical expertise and its status as a UK-based supplier.

The contract wins come at a pivotal moment for the business, which is preparing to open a new 200,000 sq ft facility in Sheffield in late 2026. The £18 million investment will expand advanced manufacturing capacity, support rising demand from defence and aerospace sectors, and create 20 new skilled jobs.

Mr Smith added: "This investment is about building long-term capability for both defence and aerospace. Next-generation European aerospace programmes could unlock significant new global markets for UK industry, and we are investing now to be ready."

The development reflects a wider trend across Europe, where defence spending and industrial strategy are increasingly aligned around resilience, security of supply, and domestic capability.