BAE Systems cuts over 300 maritime positions in company-wide restructuring

Industry

British defense contractor and shipbuilder BAE Systems is cutting around 375 jobs across its Maritime Services division, the company announced on Tuesday.

The cuts in Portsmouth and Solent are part of a wider, company-wide restructuring which will see BAE Systems reduce over 1900 positions.

The moves are aimed at aligning workforce capacity with current and expected orders, BAE Systems said.

In addition to job cuts, the company is consolidating its management layers by removing the Platforms & Services (P&S) UK and P&S International operating groups.

A new air sector will combine the company’s current Military Air & Information, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Oman operations, as well as BAE Systems’ interest in the MBDA joint venture.

The maritime and land sectors will be reporting directly to the chief executive.

The company further said technology would remain a key priority for the group, adding that a new chief technology officer role would join the executive committee.

“The organisational changes we are announcing today accelerate our evolution to a more streamlined, de-layered organisation, with a sharper competitive edge and a renewed focus on technology,” Charles Woodburn, chief executive, BAE Systems plc, said. “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. 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.”