BAE Systems is to shed 500 jobs in the UK.
The defence giant is closing three factories in its combat vehicles and weapons unit, which currently employs 1,820 people in the UK.
The sites in Telford, Leeds and Guildford will shut down at the end of the year. Jobs will also be axed in Newcastle and Barrow.
The move forms part of BAE Systems’ land sector transformation programme.
Global Combat Systems managing director David Allott said: “We must consolidate a fragmented site infrastructure to reduce fixed overheads, while at the same time transforming our skills mix to increase our UK focus on systems integration and win orders internationally,”
The announcement follows the Ministry of Defence’s decision to postpone the FRES – Future Rapid Effects System – Utility Vehicle acquisition and a downturn in work supporting British Army operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The cuts follow 200 job losses announced in the same business in November.
Allott added: “We will seek to minimise the impact of these changes on employees affected by this announcement through a range of measures, including transfer to other parts of the business and retraining wherever possible. We will be offering all affected employees the opportunity of an out-placement service to help them find alternative employment.”
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