BAE Systems plc
Our contribution
to the UK and
its regions
to the UK and
We have a significant role in helping to keep our country safe and it's something we're extremely proud of. But our impact in the UK goes far beyond defence - we play a key role in society by helping to grow the UK's national and regional economy and boost prosperity, skills and technological know-how.
To help demonstrate this impact, we once again commissioned Oxford Economics to write an independent report examining how our employment, exports and investment in our supply chain in 2022 contributed to the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The report also describes our work supporting communities, the armed forces and programmes to reach net zero and help boost diversity, equity and inclusion.
Across our UK operations in 2022, we:
Supported 132,000 full time jobs
including 39,600 BAE Systems employees
Contributed £11.1bn to the UK’s GDP
equivalent to 0.4% of the UK economy. For every £100 we contributed to GDP, a total of £360 was supported across the economy.
Spent £4.1bn with 6,000 UK suppliers
bringing investment and employment from the Scottish Highlands to the Isle of Wight
Exported £3.7bn of goods and services
equivalent to almost 0.5% of all UK exports
Supported a total tax contribution of £2.7bn
including £770m we paid directly
Invested more than £1.4bn in research and development
both self-funded and on behalf of customers and partners
Were highly productive
with each employee contributing £78,570 to the UK economy
Spent £180m on education, skills and training
including STEM engagement, early careers and lifelong learning
Supported the UK’s most deprived areas
providing direct employment for almost 15,000 full-time workers
and spending £730m with suppliers in these communities
and spending £730m with suppliers in these communities
Our regions in the UK
The regions described below cover almost all of our operations in the UK; however more than 1,000 employees
are based at sites in the Midlands and we support our customers across the country.
are based at sites in the Midlands and we support our customers across the country.
North West
22,400
full time employees
41,200
total jobs sustained
£450m
spent with more than 750 local suppliers
Our site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, leads the design and manufacture of the Royal Navy’s Astute and Dreadnought submarines and will commence construction of SSN-AUKUS later this decade. Our military aircraft sites in Samlesbury and Warton, Lancashire, provide engineering, design, manufacturing and R&D for crucial programmes including Typhoon, F-35 and the Global Combat Air Programme.
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Employees at Barrow design and manufacture the Astute and Dreadnought submarines for the Royal Navy.
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Delivering the UK's next generation future combat air systems.
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HMS Anson was commissioned into the Royal Navy in August 2022 at Barrow-in-Furness.
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Promoting opportunities for social mobility.
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New processes to increase efficiency are being developed at the Factory of the Future.
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The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a truly international endeavour.
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Helping to reduce defence emissions.
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Our Collaboration with Pipistrel is developing understanding of battery technology and electrified flight.
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Our Schools roadshow has reached one million pupils.
Wales
780
full time employees
4,560
total jobs sustained
£50m
spent with more than 150 local suppliers
Our munitions factory in Glascoed, Monmouthshire, has supported the British Army for more than 80 years and supplies 80% of the armed forces’ general munitions for training and operations. Our team at RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey directly supports RAF training, including support for the iconic Hawk aircraft.
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Our munitions factory in Glascoed supplies 80% of the armed forces' general munitions.
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BAE Systems was awarded a £590 million contract to continue Hawk support and maintenance.
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Ensuring employees are safe at work is a priority for BAE Systems.
South West
1,800
full time employees
9,500
total jobs sustained
£400m
spent with more than 500 local suppliers
Our teams operate from six sites across the South West, including Ministry of Defence facilities, as they help deliver defence programmes as part of joint project teams. Our experts at sites including Christchurch, Yeovil and Weymouth focus on a range of advanced technologies, from specialist communications and software systems to submarine design and cyber capabilities.
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In 2022, we hired 1,070 new apprentices, the highest number to date.
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The Herne XLUAV will monitor the underwater battlespace and protect critical industries.
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Crewless boats will deliver enhanced performance.
Scotland
3,900
full time employees
14,800
total jobs sustained
£500m
spent with local suppliers
Our shipyards at Govan and Scotstoun on the River Clyde are responsible for delivering the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates and we’re investing £115m to improve our facilities and maintain these skills for the future. A number of employees directly support the Royal Air Force’s Typhoons at RAF Lossiemouth as they deliver their vital air policing mission.
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Ellis was awarded the BAE Systems' Apprentice of the Year accolade in 2023.
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HMS Glasgow entered the water for the first time in November 2022.
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New technologies deliver energy efficiencies.
North East, Yorkshire and the Humber
1,300
full time employees
11,700
total jobs sustained
£260m
spent with local suppliers
Our Aircraft Maintenance Academy trains 100 apprentices each year ready for work on the frontline of support at RAF bases around the UK. Our munitions sites in Washington and Ridsdale are an essential part of the British Army’s supply chain, designing, manufacturing and testing a range of heavy munitions.
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Our Washington site employs 260 people and develops heavy ammunition.
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Our facility in Brough is a centre of excellence for digital engineering and structural testing.
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We donated £100,000 to the Magic Breakfast charity to provide healthy breakfasts in schools.
South East
8,200
full time employees
26,500
total jobs sustained
£1.15bn
spent with local suppliers
The South East is home to our head office and several major sites, delivering a range of products and services including satellites, cyber security and advanced electronic technologies for civil and military aviation. Our operations at Portsmouth Naval Base and around Hampshire deliver warship support, waterfront services and infrastructure projects for the Royal Navy and develop advanced radar and naval systems.
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Project OdySSEy enables air, land, sea, space and cyber forces to plug in and train together.
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Radio frequency susceptibility tests are conducted on critical aircraft components.
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The new satellite cluster Azalea will bring faster access to intelligence.
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Our Outlink LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group has 2,700 members and allies.
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We contributed £4.4 million to national and local charities last year.
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Addressing gender balance in the workplace.
