BAE Systems, which employs hundreds in Warton and Samlesbury, reports strong growth amid global tensions

The continued threat to world peace has led to BAE Systems announcing “another strong period of operational and financial performance” in its 2026 half year results.

The aerospace giant, which employs hundreds of people across it’s sites in Warton and Samlesbury, report that sales increased by nine per cent over the period and orders remained high at £16.4bn across all sectors of the company.

And the firm closed the period with a record order backlog of £84bn.

BAE Systems’ operating profit was up 13 per cent due to lower costs.

Chief executive Charles Woodburn said: “Across the business, our outstanding teams have delivered another strong period of operational and financial performance, which gives us the confidence to upgrade our full year guidance.

“Alongside our focus on meeting our customers’ needs today, we continue to invest in our business to accelerate innovation, drive efficiencies and boost capacity, so we can get mission-critical capabilities capabilities into the hands of those who need them, faster.

“Examples include our new collaborative combat aircraft, designed to enable our customers to deploy a combined future force of crewed and uncrewed fighter jets, and investment in our facilities in Texas and New Hampshire to support the US Government’s ambition to quadruple production of critical munitions.

“The global threat picture remains highly volatile and governments are responding with sustained increases in their defence budgets.

“The combination of our proven execution, diverse geographic footprint and continued investment in our technology and facilities, alongside our healthy order backlog and growing opportunities across our markets, positions us to keep delivering long-term growth.”

Last week it was announced The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had awarded a contract extension worth £708m to BAE Systems.

The contract is for the development of critical sixth-generation sovereign combat air technologies underpinning the UK’s role in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

Under the contract, BAE Systems will deliver UK tech and develop capability, including software, digital networks, digital engineering and physical infrastructure.

The Company will also develop national capability beyond the core sixth-generation aircraft, known as Tempest in the UK.

This involves operational analysis and concept development of the broader Future Combat Air System, including integrating uncrewed air systems, advanced networks and the latest weapon technologies.

Meanwhile NATO members, including the UK have agreed to dramatically increase defence spending over the next five to ten years.

Recently, BAE Systems unveiled the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) at the Farnborough International Airshow.