BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defense, security and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, England, the largest defense contractor in Europe. It was formed in 1999 through the merger of British Aerospace and the defense electronics arm of Marconi Electronic Systems, then part of the historic General Electric Company plc of Britain, unrelated to the American General Electric. BAE Systems builds naval warships and submarines, holds a major share in the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft program, manufactures armored vehicles and electronic warfare systems, and does substantial business with the United States government through its BAE Systems Inc. subsidiary, making it one of the largest defense contractors serving the American military as well as Britain's own.
Facts
Company Type Founded Year Company Type
Company Type (category) Connections
Operates In
Source Wikidata: BAE Systems plc
Parent Company Of
Source Yarrow Shipbuilders (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Manufactures
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source Archer artillery system (Wikipedia)DevelopmentQuote, Development
awarded BAE Systems a contract to complete development of the artillery system
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source AS-90 (Wikipedia)History, VSELQuote, History, VSEL
In 1999, VSEL became a part of BAE Systems.
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source Astute-class submarine (Wikipedia)Lead, buildersQuote, Lead, builders
The boats are constructed by BAE Systems Submarines at Barrow-in-Furness.
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source Bv 206 (Wikipedia)Lead, makersQuote, Lead, makers
subsequently by BAE Systems Hägglunds
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source BvS10 (Wikipedia)Lead, makersQuote, Lead, makers
produced by BAE Systems Land Systems Hägglunds of Sweden
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source Combat Vehicle 90 (Wikipedia)Lead, makersQuote, Lead, makers
BAE Systems Hägglunds (from 2004)
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source FV510 Warrior (Wikipedia)Lead, builderQuote, Lead, builder
GKN Defence was purchased by BAE Systems, via Alvis plc.
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source M109 howitzer (Wikipedia)DevelopmentQuote, Development
The M109 was developed by the Ground System Division of United Defense LP, later BAE Systems Platforms & Services.
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source M2 Bradley (Wikipedia)Lead, makersQuote, Lead, makers
manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments (formerly United Defense)
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source M777 howitzer (Wikipedia)Lead, manufacturerQuote, Lead, manufacturer
The M777 is manufactured by BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems division.
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source Type 26 frigate (Wikipedia)Lead, buildersQuote, Lead, builders
The frigates will be built at BAE Systems' Govan and Scotstoun yards on the River Clyde in Glasgow.
Also in Transport Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source Type 45 destroyer (Wikipedia)Development, prime contractorQuote, Development, prime contractor
Seven days later, MES and BAe completed the merger forming BAE Systems (BAE), making the latter the prime contractor.
Also in War and Military Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source Wikidata: M109 howitzer
Also in War and Military Atlas: manufactured by this subject.
Source Wikidata: Stonefish (mine)
Located In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is located.
Sources
1. Wikipedia, BAE Systems
WikipediaInfobox: num_employees
110,000 (2026)
Lead section, listing
BAE is listed on the London Stock Exchange's FTSE 100 Index.
Infobox: type
Public
Lead section
The company was formed on 30 November 1999 by the £7.7 billion purchase of and merger of Marconi Electronic Systems (MES), the defence electronics and naval shipbuilding subsidiary of the General Electric Company plc (GEC), with British Aerospace, an aircraft, munitions and naval systems manufacturer.
View the Source 2. Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF): GLEIF record for BAE SYSTEMS PLC
Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF)LEI record, entity statusQuote, LEI record, entity status
"status": "ACTIVE"
View the Source Wikidata: BAE Systems
Wikidata Q739416, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Wikidata: BAE Systems plc
WikidataOperates In: Defense Industry, Wikidata statement: industry (P452)Quote, Operates In: Defense Industry, Wikidata statement: industry (P452)
industry (P452) target Q392933, matched to the live industry entity by qid (enwiki-sitelink resolved)
View the Source Yarrow Shipbuilders (Wikipedia)
Parent Company Of: Yarrow Shipbuilders, Lead, ownershipQuote, Parent Company Of: Yarrow Shipbuilders, Lead, ownership
owned by BAE Systems
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