January 25, 1783, is marked as the founding day of the Bryansk Arsenal. On this day, Empress Catherine II issued a decree for its creation. After that, convoys with materials, 60 craftsmen, and a regiment of soldiers were sent to Bryansk. The construction was led by Captain F.M. Ivanov of the Russian army. The main task of the Bryansk Arsenal was to replace the Moscow Arsenal, which was converted into a museum.

The construction was difficult: due to hunger and working from dawn to dusk, many builders perished. The factory began producing artillery as soon as the construction was completed.

Every fourth cannon of the Russian army bore the stamp of the Bryansk Arsenal. During the Patriotic War of 1812, Napoleon attempted to destroy the Arsenal, but unsuccessfully, as M.I. Kutuzov, recognizing its importance, sent a 5,000-strong corps of soldiers to defend the factory.

In November 1917, the Arsenal was nationalized and switched to producing civilian products. During the Great Patriotic War, the factory was evacuated to the Urals, where it continued to supply the Red Army with weapons. After the war, the Arsenal returned to Bryansk and was re-equipped for the production of road machinery.