BAE Systems plans to cut around 740 British jobs

LONDON: Defense contractor BAE Systems PLC says it is in talks with unions to cut around 740 jobs in Britain, mainly from its military air division.

Kevin Taylor, the managing director of BAE's Military Air Solutions division, said on Thursday that the proposed cuts will ensure BAE is ``properly positioned in what will undoubtedly become an increasingly challenging environment.''

The move comes amid planned cuts to Britain's defense budget and still sluggish global economic growth.

Earlier this week, BAE revealed it is cutting 300 jobs in southwest Ohio partly due to the loss of a key US Army contract.