BAE Systems to shed nearly 2000 jobs

Restructuring within the company will see a further 150 roles made redundant in BAE’s applied intelligence cyber security business. In total, 1,915 positions are at risk.

Charles Woodburn, chief executive, BAE Systems, said: “These actions will further strengthen our company as we deliver our strategy in a changing environment.

“Separately, we are also announcing actions at some of our UK sites to align our workforce capacity more closely with near-term demand and enhance our competitive position to secure new business.”

Uncertainty surrounding a proposed 24 Typhoon aircraft deal with Qatar and a drop-off in orders for the Hawk trainer jet means that production rates will be reduced for both aircraft. Similarly, the withdrawal of the RAF’s Tornado fleet will see support and sustainment activities at RAF Marham in Norfolk and RAF Leeming in Yorkshire wound down and ending in 2019.

As a result of these changes, there is a total proposed reduction of up to 1,400 roles within BAE Systems’ Military Air business across five sites over the next three years. The company proposes a further reduction of around 375 roles across its Maritime Services division to ‘closely align capacity with workload’.