BAE Systems has announced nearly 3,000 potential job losses within its Military Air & Information (MAI) and Shared Services businesses and at its Head Office. This announcement is in response to changes in key programmes and the need to maintain competitiveness through offering affordable products and services to customers.

Ian King, Chief Executive, BAE Systems commented: “Our customers are facing huge pressures on their defence budgets and affordability has become an increasing priority. Our business needs to rise to this challenge to maintain its competitiveness and ensure its long term future.

“Some of our major programmes have seen significant changes. The four partner nations in the Typhoon programme have agreed to slow production rates to help ease their budget pressures. Whilst this will help extend our production schedule and ensure the production line stays open until we receive anticipated export contracts, it does reduce the workload at a number of our sites."