Job axe falls on 1,400 BAE Systems planemakers

Defence giant BAE Systems today announced plans to axe 750 jobs at its planemaking plants in Lancashire.

The jobs will go at Samlesbury and Warton over the next three years and are part of a plan to cut  up to 1,400 roles in its Military Air business.

Across the entire defence group’s operations, including its maritime services arm, 1,915 job cuts are planned.

Announcing the news chief executive Charles Woodburn said the moves would “align our workforce capacity more closely with near-term demand and enhance our competitive position to secure new business.”

He added: “Those actions are necessary and the right thing to do for our company, but unfortunately include proposed redundancies at a number of operations.

“I recognise this will be difficult news for some of our employees and we are committed to do everything we can to support those affected.”

In a statement BAE Systems said it was reducing the Typhoon final assembly and Hawk production rates.

The company said it was working to seal a deal with the government of Qatar for more Typhoons which would “sustain production jobs, and manufacturing well into the next decade.”

It added:  “However, the timing of future orders is always uncertain and to ensure production continuity and competitive costs between the completion of current contracts and anticipated new orders, we now plan to reduce Typhoon final assembly and Hawk production rates.”

It added it was also pursuing additional orders to extend Hawk manufacturing. Qatar has also agreed to purchase six of the aircraft.

The company said: “While this is also subject to agreeing a contract between BAE Systems and the Qatar government, we have taken the decision to include this potential future order in production planning, extending Hawk manufacturing for a further 12 months at a reduced production rate.”

The statement went on: “Our Military Air UK operations will continue to benefit from the ramp-up of F-35 Lightning II production at Samlesbury to reach steady state production rates by 2020.

“Responsible for manufacturing 10 per cent of every F-35 aircraft globally at our UK operations, we expect to maintain steady state production from 2020 well into the next decade. “The business also benefits from significant support activities across Typhoon, Hawk and F-35, and we continue to invest in the technologies, skills and capabilities that are critical to maintain our leading position in military aircraft design, engineering, advanced manufacturing and support.”