BAE Systems is to ax around 17% of staff from its integrated system technologies (Insyte) business in the UK. A total of 642 jobs are to be cut across eight sites .
The cuts are in response to “a detailed review of the current and future workload requirements,” according to a company statement.Insyte specializes in radar surveillance and command and information systems.
The cuts are indicative of the growing pressure on defense companies in the UK. In the domestic arena the combination of the Defense Ministry’s focus on Afghanistan, near term budgetary problems reflected in a difficult planning round (PR10) and longer term issues with an overheated equipment program make for a challenging operating environment.
The day before BAE announced the cuts on Nov. 26, British defense technology company Qinetiq warned that it was unlikely to meet performance expectations for the financial year. The reason cited was a slow-down in business from its two main markets, the U.K., and its business in the U.S.
Just over a third of the total BAE Insyte job losses will come from the business unit’s Portsmouth site; where 1,109 staff are presently located.
Radar surveillance and command and information systems. That's ISR, and that is the crownjewel in todays wars, including the littoral and urban COIN ones. A 17% cut inevitably means admin positions which are pushing - important - papers, but it also sounds like it may well include some key engineers as well - this is no mere "paper-cut".
QinetiQ has undergone various restructurings and reorganizations and already was a lean outfit, and I'm afraid this cut won't be the last. Hiring skilled managers may be relatively easy; re-filling engineer positions with the experience gained over years in this specific and specialized field, is another matter.
QinetiQ has undergone various restructurings and reorganizations and already was a lean outfit, and I'm afraid this cut won't be the last. Hiring skilled managers may be relatively easy; re-filling engineer positions with the experience gained over years in this specific and specialized field, is another matter.