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BAE Systems

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FY2016 Annual Report · BAE Systems
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Annual Report
2016

Welcome to the BAE Systems  
Annual Report 2016

Chairman’s 
letter
P10
  Read more

Operational 
and strategic 
highlights
P08
  Read more

Financial 
highlights
P06
  Read more

Chief Executive’s 
review
P12
  Read more

How our 
business works

P20
  Read more

Financial 
review
P24
  Read more

Corporate 
responsibility

P54
  Read more

Governance 
highlights
P65
  Read more

Segmental 
performance

P32
  Read more

Further information 
can be found 
online by visiting 
baesystems.com

Cautionary statement: All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this document, 
including, without limitation, those regarding the financial condition, results, operations and businesses of 
BAE Systems and its strategy, plans and objectives and the markets and economies in which it operates, are 
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s assumptions 
made on the basis of information available to it at this time, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties 
and other important factors which could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BAE Systems 
or the markets and economies in which BAE Systems operates to be materially different from future results, 
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. BAE Systems plc and 
its directors accept no liability to third parties in respect of this report save as would arise under English law. 
Accordingly, any liability to a person who has demonstrated reliance on any untrue or misleading statement or 
omission shall be determined in accordance with Schedule 10A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. 
It should be noted that Schedule 10A and Section 463 of the Companies Act 2006 contain limits on the 
liability of the directors of BAE Systems plc so that their liability is solely to BAE Systems plc.

Strategic report
Our business 

Our key products and services 

Financial highlights 

Operational and strategic highlights 

Chairman’s letter 

Chief Executive’s review 

Group strategic framework 

Our markets 

How our business works 

Our people 

Our technology 

Financial review 

Guidance for 2017 

Segmental performance 

Electronic Systems 

Cyber & Intelligence 

Platforms & Services (US) 

Platforms & Services (UK) 

Platforms & Services (International) 

Corporate responsibility 

How we manage risk 

Principal risks 

Directors’ report
Chairman’s governance letter 

Governance highlights 

Board governance 

Board of directors 

Board information 

Governance disclosures 

Audit Committee report 

02

04

06

08

10

12

16

17

20

22

23

24

31

32

34

38

42

46

50

54

58

60

64

65

66

68

70

71

72

Corporate Responsibility Committee report  76

Nominations Committee report 

Remuneration Committee report 

Annual remuneration report at a glance 

Annual remuneration report 

Directors’ remuneration policy 

Statutory and other information 

Independent Auditor’s report 

Financial statements
Index to the financial statements 

Investor resources
Shareholder information 

78

79

83

84

99

112

117

121

187

Cover
The technology of defence: air, maritime, land, cyber.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
01

At BAE Systems, our advanced 
defence technology protects 
people and national security, 
and keeps critical information 
and infrastructure secure.
We search for new ways to provide our customers 
with a competitive edge across the air, maritime, 
land and cyber domains. We employ a skilled 
workforce of 83,100 people1 in over 40 countries, 
and work closely with local partners to support 
economic development by transferring knowledge, 
skills and technology.

1.  Including share of equity accounted investments.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201602

 Our business

Sales1 by domain
BAE Systems has strong, established positions in the air, 
maritime and land domains, as well as a growing position 
in cyber security.

P04
  Our key products and services

Air

 54%

–  Manufacture, development, 

upgrade and in-service support 
of Typhoon combat aircraft
–  Workshare partner for the 

design and manufacture of major 
sub-assemblies and systems and 
provision of support for F-35 
Lightning II combat aircraft
–  Design, manufacture and 

support of avionics equipment 
for military aircraft

F

E

D

H

G

A

B

C

–  In-service support of Tornado 

A Typhoon

B F-35 Lightning II

C Defence avionics

D Tornado

E Commercial avionics

F Weapon systems

G Hawk

H Other

Maritime

25%

–  Design and manufacture 

of complex warships

–  Design and manufacture 

of submarines

–  Provision of ship repair and 
modernisation services in  
the US

–  Provision of in-service support 
to surface ships and facilities 
management in the UK

–  Design and manufacture of 

naval gun systems, torpedoes, 
radars, and naval command 
and combat systems

32%

7%

18%

13%

11%

8%

7%

4%

E

D

F

C

A

B

A Complex warships

B Submarines

C US ship repair

D UK naval support

E Weapon systems

F Other

20%

27%

19%

12%

11%

11%

combat aircraft

–  Design, manufacture and 

support of avionics equipment 
for commercial aircraft

–  Design and manufacture of 
missiles and missile systems 
through a 37.5% interest  
in MBDA

–  Manufacture, development, 

upgrade and in-service support 
of Hawk trainer aircraft

–  Development of next-generation 

unmanned air systems and 
defence information systems

Land

 16%

–  Design, manufacture, 

upgrade and support of 
tracked and amphibious 
combat vehicles

–  Manufacture of ammunition 
and precision munitions for 
US, UK and other armed forces

–  Design and manufacture of 
hybrid electric drive systems

–  Design and manufacture of 
artillery systems and missile 
launchers for US, UK and 
other armed forces

Cyber

 5%

–  Supply of cyber, intelligence 
and security capabilities to 
US government agencies

–  Supply of defence-grade 
cyber solutions for the 
commercial market 

–  Supply of cyber, intelligence 

and security capabilities to UK 
and other government agencies

B

C

A

A US government

B Commercial

C UK and other governments

51%

31%

18%

D

A

C

B

A Combat vehicles

B Munitions

C Commercial

D Weapon systems/other

39%

19%

8%

34%

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
03

2016 sales1

2016 revenue

 £19,020m

 £17,790m

P24
  Financial review

Sales1 by destination
BAE Systems has leading positions 
in its principal markets in the US, 
UK, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Sales1 by activity
BAE Systems has a diverse portfolio, 
broadly balanced between an enduring 
services and support business, long-term 
platform and product programmes, 
electronic systems, and activities in 
cyber and intelligence.

Sales1 by reporting segment
BAE Systems has five principal 
reporting segments which align with 
the strategic direction of the Group.

E

A

D

A

A

E

D

B

C

17%

9%

15%

39%

20%

C

B

D

C

A US

B UK

B

C Saudi Arabia

D Australia
E Other international markets2

36%

21%

21%

3%

19%

A Military and technical 
services and support

B Platforms

C Electronic systems

D Cyber

42%

36%

17%

5%

A Electronic Systems

B Cyber & Intelligence

C Platforms & Services (US)

D Platforms & Services (UK)

E Platforms & Services 

(International)

P17
  Our markets

P32
  Segmental performance

P32
  Segmental performance

Employees by location

Employees3

 83,100

P22
  Our people

US
UK
Saudi Arabia
Australia
Other

29,500
34,600
6,200
3,100
9,700

1.  Revenue including the Group’s share of revenue of equity accounted investments.
2. Includes £1.0bn (5%) of sales generated under the Typhoon workshare agreement with Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH.
3. Including share of equity accounted investments.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
 
 
 
04

Our key products  
and services

BAE Systems has strong, established positions supplying defence 
equipment, electronics and services, and cyber, intelligence and security 
solutions for governments. We also have a growing position in adjacent 
commercial markets, including avionics and cyber security.

Typhoon manufacture 
and development
Manufacture of major Typhoon assemblies 
for European partner nations and other 
export customers. Aircraft assembly for the 
Royal Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Force and 
Royal Air Force of Oman. Expansion of the 
capabilities of the aircraft.

F-35 Lightning II design 
and manufacture
Design and manufacture of sub-assemblies, 
including the aft fuselage and empennage, 
in the UK and provision of equipment, 
including the electronic warfare suite, 
in the US. BAE Systems has a significant 
workshare on the world’s largest 
defence programme.

Unmanned and future air 
system capabilities
Development of future air system 
capabilities, including unmanned air 
systems. A joint unmanned combat air 
system programme with France was 
announced in 2016.

Air support and training
Provision of support to operational 
capability. We provide maintenance, 
support and training for Typhoon aircraft 
in service with the UK and Saudi Arabian 
air forces. Under the Saudi British Defence 
Co-operation Programme, we have 
contracts to provide manpower, logistics 
and training, as well as training aircraft, 
including Hawk, and upgrades to 
Tornado aircraft in Saudi Arabia. We 
provide support for Hawk aircraft in 
service in 15 countries and have been 
selected to provide sustainment services 
for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft in the 
Europe and Pacific regions.

Defence avionics equipment
Design, manufacture and support of 
avionics equipment across a range of 
US and other western military aircraft 
programmes, including a leadership 
position in the electronic warfare market.

Commercial avionics equipment
Design, manufacture and support of 
avionics equipment across multiple 
commercial aircraft platforms, including 
engine and flight controls, and cabin and 
cockpit systems, together with aftermarket 
support services. BAE Systems is a leading 
supplier of engine controls, including for 
GE engines, and is a major supplier of flight 
control electronics for many Boeing and 
other aircraft platforms.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201605

Complex warships
Design and manufacture of two 65,000- 
tonne aircraft carriers and five Offshore 
Patrol Vessels, and design of Type 26 
frigates for the Royal Navy. The aircraft 
carriers are expected to complete sea trials 
in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Submarines
Design and manufacture of seven Astute 
Class nuclear-powered attack submarines 
for the Royal Navy. The first three Astute 
Class submarines are in operational service 
with the Royal Navy and the remaining four 
boats in build. The final boat is expected 
to enter service towards the middle of the 
next decade. Design and manufacture of 
four Dreadnought Class nuclear-powered 
submarines to carry the UK’s Trident 
ballistic missiles. Manufacture of the first 
Dreadnought Class boat, Dreadnought, 
commenced in 2016.

Ship repair and naval support
Provision of naval and commercial ship 
repair and modernisation services in the 
US, UK and Australia, together with support 
to the navies of the US, UK and Australia. 
In the US, BAE Systems has facilities located 
on the east, west and Gulf coasts, as well 
as Hawaii, and has invested in new dry 
dock facilities at its San Diego shipyard to 
support the US Navy’s increased focus on 
Asia-Pacific operations.

Weapon systems and munitions
Design and manufacture of naval gun 
systems, munitions, torpedoes, radars, 
naval command and combat systems, 
artillery systems, missile launchers and, 
through a 37.5% interest in MBDA, 
missiles and missile systems. BAE Systems 
also manages complex ammunition plant 
operations for the US Army to produce 
insensitive munitions and propellant grains.

Combat vehicles
Products and services include: upgrade of 
US Army tracked vehicles, including Bradley 
Fighting Vehicles; design and manufacture 
of the US Army’s M109 self-propelled 
howitzer and Armored Multi-Purpose 
Vehicle, as well as amphibious vehicles 
for the US Marine Corps and international 
customers; design, manufacture and 
support of the CV90 combat vehicle 
for international customers; and vehicle 
upgrade and support to the British Army.

Cyber security
Delivery of a broad range of services 
to enable the US military and government 
to recognise, manage and defeat threats. 
Support to UK and other government 
agencies in their intelligence missions. 
Provision of defence-grade solutions for 
commercial cyber applications worldwide.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201606

Financial  
highlights

– Sales increased by £1.1bn to £19.0bn, 

almost all of which was due to 
exchange translation.

– Underlying EBITA increased to £1,905m, 

or 7% on a constant currency basis.

– Underlying earnings per share of 40.3p, 

7% higher than adjusted 2015 underlying 
earnings per share of 37.8p1, in line with 
guidance.

– Operating business cash flow increased 

by £323m to £1,004m.

– Net debt of £1.5bn.

– Order intake2 increased by £7.5bn 

to £22.4bn.

– Order backlog2 increased by £5.2bn 

to £42.0bn.

KPI

 References to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) throughout 
the Annual Report.

BONUS

 80% of the UK executive directors’ bonuses are based on 
the achievement of financial KPIs (see page 87).

Financial performance measures as defined by the Group

We monitor the underlying financial performance of the Group using 
alternative performance measures. These measures are not defined in IFRS3 
and, therefore, are considered to be non-GAAP4 measures. Accordingly, the 
relevant IFRS3 measures are also presented where appropriate.

Sales 

KPI

 £19,020m

(2015 £17,904m)

Definition Revenue including the Group’s share 
of revenue of equity accounted investments.

Purpose Allows management to monitor the 
sales performance of subsidiaries and equity 
accounted investments.

Underlying EBITA 

 £1,905m

(2015 £1,683m)

KPI

Definition Profit for the year before amortisation 
and impairment of intangible assets, finance 
costs and taxation expense (EBITA) excluding 
non-recurring items5.
Purpose Provides a measure of operating 
profitability that is comparable over time.

Underlying earnings per share 

  BONUS   KPI

 40.3p

(2015 40.2p)

Definition Basic earnings per share excluding 
amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, 
non-cash finance movements on pensions and 
financial derivatives, and non-recurring items5.
Purpose Provides a measure of underlying 
performance that is comparable over time.

Operating business cash flow 

KPI

 £1,004m

(2015 £681m)

Net debt 

 £(1,542)m

(2015 £(1,422)m)

Order intake2 

 £22,443m

(2015 £14,921m)

Order backlog2

 £42.0bn

(2015 £36.8bn)

Definition Net cash flow from operating activities 
excluding taxation after net capital expenditure, 
financial investment and dividends from equity 
accounted investments.

Purpose Allows management to monitor the 
operating cash generation of the Group.

  BONUS   KPI

Definition Cash and cash equivalents, less loans 
and overdrafts (including debt-related derivative 
financial instruments).

Purpose Allows management to monitor the net 
cash generation of the Group.

  BONUS   KPI
Definition Funded orders received from customers 
including the Group’s share of order intake of 
equity accounted investments.

Purpose Allows management to monitor the 
order intake of subsidiaries and equity accounted 
investments.

Definition Funded and unfunded unexecuted 
customer orders including the Group’s share of 
order backlog of equity accounted investments. 
Unfunded orders include the elements of US 
multi-year contracts for which funding has not 
been authorised by the customer.

Purpose Supports future years’ sales performance 
of subsidiaries and equity accounted investments.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
07

– Revenue increased by £1.0bn to £17.8bn, 
almost all of which was due to exchange 
translation.

– Operating profit increased to £1,742m, 
or 10% on a constant currency basis.

– Basic earnings per share of 28.8p.

– Net cash flow from operating activities 

increased by £421m to £1,229m.

– Group’s share of the pre-tax accounting net 

pension deficit increased by £1.6bn compared 
with 31 December 2015 to £6.1bn, largely 
unchanged from 30 June 2016.

– Final dividend of 12.7p per share making 
a total of 21.3p per share for the year, an 
increase of 2% over 2015.

Financial performance measures defined in IFRS3

Reconciliations from the financial performance measures as defined by the 
Group to these measures are provided in the Financial review on pages 24 
to 30.

Revenue

 £17,790m

(2015 £16,787m)

Operating profit

 £1,742m

(2015 £1,502m)

Basic earnings per share

 28.8p

(2015 29.0p)

Definition Income derived from the provision 
of goods and services by the Company and its 
subsidiary undertakings.

Definition Profit for the year before finance 
costs and taxation expense. This measure 
includes finance costs and taxation expense 
of equity accounted investments.

Definition Basic earnings per share in accordance 
with International Accounting Standard 33, 
Earnings per Share.

Net cash flow from operating activities

 £1,229m

(2015 £808m)6

Definition Net cash flow from operating activities 
in accordance with International Accounting 
Standard 7, Statement of Cash Flows.

Other financial highlights

Group’s share of the net pension deficit

 £(6.1)bn

(2015 £(4.5)bn)

Dividend per share

 21.3p

(2015 20.9p)

Definition Net International Accounting Standard 
19, Employee Benefits, deficit excluding amounts 
allocated to equity accounted investments.

Definition Interim dividend paid and final 
dividend proposed per share.

1. 2015 underlying earnings per share (40.2p) excluding tax provision releases (−4.3p) and adjusted to 2016 exchange rates (+1.9p).
2. Including share of equity accounted investments.
3. International Financial Reporting Standards.
4. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
5. Items that are relevant to an understanding of the Group’s performance with reference to their materiality and nature (see page 25).
6. Re-presented to reclassify interest paid from operating to investing activities.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201608

Operational and  
strategic highlights

Awarded a $146m (£118m) 
engineering and manufacturing 
development contract for the US Air 
Force’s Eagle Passive Active Warning 
Survivability System as a follow-on 
to the technology maturation and 
risk reduction phase.

Roll-out of the first prototype 
Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle 
for the US Army (pictured) and 
delivery of the first prototype 
Amphibious Combat Vehicles 
for the US Marine Corps.

Continued growth in commercial 
cyber security and counter-fraud from 
investment in product development, 
and sales and marketing.

To support the US Navy’s re-balance to the 
Asia-Pacific region, a new dry dock arrived 
in our San Diego shipyard in December.

P12
  Chief Executive’s review

P32
  Segmental performance

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
09

Continued provision of support 
agreed under the Saudi British 
Defence Co-operation Programme 
to the Royal Saudi Air Force and Royal 
Saudi Naval Forces through to 2021.

Secured a $542m (£439m) 
contract to provide 145 M777 
lightweight howitzers to India 
in January 2017.

On Typhoon, partnership arrangement 
for support to the UK fleet expected 
to be worth at least £2.1bn over a 
ten-year period and £1.0bn of orders 
for BAE Systems’ workshare on 
28 aircraft for Kuwait.

In maritime in the UK, £472m 
extension to the Type 26 frigate 
demonstration phase contract, 
£287m contract for two additional 
Offshore Patrol Vessels, including 
support services for the five-ship 
programme, and £1.3bn of funding 
for the Dreadnought Class 
submarine programme, including 
design, initial manufacture, 
materials and facilities investment.

On the F-35 combat aircraft programme, 
delivered the 250th electronic warfare 
suite in the US, received orders for 
additional Low-Rate Initial Production in 
the US and UK, and selected to provide 
maintenance, repair, overhaul and 
upgrade services to support a range of 
aircraft system components in the UK 
and Australia for the Europe and Pacific 
regions, respectively.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201610

Chairman’s 
letter

 “Another year of 
solid performance.”

Sir Roger Carr Chairman

2016 proved to be a turbulent 
year across the globe with 
unexpected changes occurring 
politically, economically and 
socially, and growing evidence 
of regional instability, terrorism 
and military aggression.

Against this background, governments in 
our major markets – primarily the UK, US, 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Australia 
– continue to prioritise national security 
and remain resolute in their commitment 
to defence expenditure. 

In a period of uncertainty, the Company’s 
consistently strong operational performance 
and success in growing our order backlog to 
£42.0bn were both reassuring and welcome. 

In the UK, we secured our long-term 
position on a number of major programmes 
during 2016. Manufacturing of the Royal 
Navy’s Dreadnought submarines at our 
Barrow-in-Furness facilities commenced in 
September. We secured a contract for two 
further Offshore Patrol Vessels and agreed 
heads of terms reflecting the government’s 
intention to build eight Type 26 complex 
warships at our shipyards on the Clyde 
in Scotland from the summer of 2017. 

These important commitments will provide 
the Royal Navy with state-of-the-art capabilities 
and reinforce our reputation as a world leader 
in engineering and technology. Over the next 
three decades, the programmes will secure 
high-quality employment, not only in Barrow 
and on the Clyde, but in the supply chain 
throughout the UK.

21.3
20.9
20.5
20.1
19.5

Dividend (pence)

 21.3p
 +2%

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

The strength of our maritime business was 
complemented in military air by long-term 
support contracts for the UK Typhoon and 
Hawk fleets, growth in production volumes for 
the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the selection 
of our UK and Australian businesses to provide 
avionics and components maintenance and 
support for the growing F-35 global fleet. 

Our US land business continues to perform 
well in the export market and rolled out 
the first prototype vehicles for two major 
land programmes – Armored Multi-Purpose 
Vehicles for the US Army and Amphibious 
Combat Vehicles for the US Marines. 

Our investment in a major new dry dock 
facility at our San Diego shipyard, delivered 
in December, will underpin our continued 
position as a major supplier of ship repair 
and support services for the US Navy.

The market for electronic warfare and 
products from our Electronic Systems 
sector remained buoyant. Our cyber, 
intelligence and security capabilities remain 
in high demand in a very competitive market. 
Our US-based Intelligence & Security business 
secured a number of multi-year contracts and, 
in Applied Intelligence, whilst investment in 
future growth inhibited current profitability, 
another year of double-digit sales growth 
across government and commercial divisions 
was encouraging.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201611

The management team is aware that, as 
the order book grows, flawless execution 
remains the priority of the day. In meeting this 
objective and delivering customer satisfaction, 
we will continue to respect the growing need 
for high-quality local employment and 
support for national industry, together with 
a keen focus on providing leading capabilities 
at a competitive cost. Our experience in the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India in particular 
has provided the Company with strong and 
proven credentials in this area which we 
believe will be increasingly important in 
securing further orders in the coming years.

Building local capability will require the 
commitment of many of our people in 
supporting the workforce in the region and 
the evidence of our skill in training others is 
visible wherever I visit our teaching centres.

In order to ensure a consistent flow of skilled 
people to meet the demand, we have continued 
to invest in the training of both apprentices 
and graduates. This year, we are training over 
2,000 apprentices in the UK – more than 
ever before.

In December, we celebrated the opening of 
a new £16m Academy for Skills & Knowledge 
adjacent to our military aircraft manufacturing 
facility at Samlesbury as further evidence of 
our commitment to building and sustaining 
the skills pipeline.

In addition, together with other leading 
engineering companies in the UK, we 
contributed to developing a National 
Productivity Improvement Plan with the 
creation of a formal educational productivity 
training programme at Lancaster University 
and sharing best practice with supply 
chain partners.

We believe that, as an international leader in 
engineering, advanced manufacturing and 
technology, we have a responsibility to ensure 
our Company and the nations we serve are 
equipped with the skills and competitive 
strength to succeed in global export markets.

Ensuring we have a continued supply of talent 
is an essential element of long-term business 
planning – as is the need to manage organised 
succession at all levels of the business. In this 
respect, since becoming Chairman, it has been 
necessary to plan for the retirement of Ian 
King who became Chief Executive over eight 
years ago.

In February 2017, we announced that Ian will 
retire from the Company on 30 June 2017, 
after a long and distinguished career of some 
40 years in the defence industry. Ian will retire 
leaving a legacy of disciplined operational 
and financial performance, ethical behaviour, 
a burgeoning order book, a track record of 
delivering shareholder value and a strong 
leadership team. When the time comes later 
this year, he will leave with our thanks and 
best wishes for the future.

The Board also announced that Charles 
Woodburn, Chief Operating Officer, will 
succeed Ian as Chief Executive with effect 
from 1 July 2017. Since joining the Company 
in May 2016, Charles has made an important 
contribution, bringing impeccable engineering 
credentials, broad international experience 
and fresh perspectives to build on our existing 
strengths. In his new role, he will build on 
an enviable inheritance to create an exciting 
future for the Group.

During the course of the year, we aimed 
to build ever stronger relationships with our 
customers, recognising that, in the defence 
sector, we are partners working together 
to protect national interests and security. 
In the US, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
and Australia, engagement with political 
and military leaders has been consistently 
constructive and positive. We continue 
to work closely with the UK government 
and have benefited from their unstinting 
support in our export activities. We have had 
considerable success in our export activities 
and in securing future opportunities – as seen 
most recently in India and Turkey. 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains 
an important market for the Group, where 
we work as prime contractor to the UK 
government to fulfil its obligations under 
government-to-government agreements on 
defence and security co-operation. Judicial 
Review proceedings into the process followed 
by the UK government in granting defence 
export licences to the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia are under way, with a judgment 
expected in the near future.

We are aware of the privileged position we 
enjoy in all our markets and recognise our 
responsibility in driving down costs whilst 
maintaining the highest quality standards. 
In parallel with our determination to build 
competitive strength, we have continued 
to focus our people on the importance of 
safety in what we do and the ethics of 
how we do it.

In both areas we have been pleased that our 
record in the year has demonstrated how deeply 
these principles are embedded in the corporate 
culture as the hallmarks of good business 
practice. Performance-driven, but values-led 
remains at the heart of our business model.

In keeping with many organisations, the 
changing dynamics of financial markets 
have impacted our pension fund deficit 
during the year. The mathematical impact 
of reduced bond yields and low interest rates, 
partially offset by strong asset performance, 
has increased the reported total deficit by 
approximately £1.6bn during the year. Whilst 
the position will fluctuate in keeping with 
international financial markets, our large order 
book, long-term programmes and strong 
franchise positions give confidence in our 
long-term ability to fund our pension schemes, 
capital requirements and shareholder returns.

In view of the Group’s good performance and 
future prospects, the Board has recommended 
a final dividend of 12.7p per share for a total 
of 21.3p per share for the full year, an increase 
of 2% compared to 2015. Subject to 
shareholder approval at the May 2017 Annual 
General Meeting, the dividend will be paid on 
1 June 2017 to holders of ordinary shares 
registered on 21 April 2017.

We were pleased to welcome Elizabeth Corley 
as a non-executive director on 1 February 
2016. Her appointment has further 
strengthened and deepened the expertise 
and experience of our board of directors.

In summary, we have been pleased to 
deliver another year of solid performance 
with sales1 of £19.0bn, underlying earnings 
per share1 of 40.3p underpinned by an order 
backlog1 of £42.0bn. Our cash generation 
has continued to facilitate growth in our 
dividend to 21.3p whilst supporting our 
commitment to our pension fund and 
capital investment programme.

Looking forward, our efforts will be focused 
on the successful execution of the orders 
we have achieved whilst seeking to harvest 
the international export opportunities which 
lie ahead.

It is against this background that we look 
forward to delivering continued strong 
performance in 2017 and beyond.

P06–07
   Alternative performance measure definitions

1. We monitor the underlying financial performance of the Group using alternative performance measures.

Sir Roger Carr Chairman

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
12

Chief Executive’s 
review

 “A good year for 
BAE Systems.”

Ian King Chief Executive

2016 was a good year for 
BAE Systems. The Company 
has performed well despite 
economic and political 
uncertainties, delivering sales 
and order backlog growth. 
Governments in our major 
markets continue to prioritise 
defence and security with 
strong demand for our 
capabilities.

2016 performance
US
Following the two-year Bipartisan Budget 
Act signed in 2015, the defence market 
outlook in the US is improving with 
encouraging signs of a return to growth 
in defence budgets. We are also seeing 
the ramp up of production on a number 
of the Group’s long-term programmes.

Our US electronics business continued 
to perform well, with strong programme 
execution and good order intake enhancing 
positions in the high-technology areas 
of electronic warfare, electro-optics and 
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. 
As a major supplier on the F-35 Lightning II 
combat aircraft programme, including the 
electronic warfare system, we are well 
positioned on the progressive increases in 
production output planned over the coming 
years to meet the requirements of US and 
international customers.

The Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability 
System electronic warfare upgrade for US 
Air Force F-15 aircraft is progressing to its 
engineering and manufacturing development 
phase. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon 
System (APKWS™) laser-guided rocket is 
experiencing growing demand and, in 
October, the US Navy awarded a three-year 
Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract 
for Full-Rate Production.

Performance in the commercial electronics 
business continued to be good and our 
all-electric and hybrid power and propulsion 
business delivered growth.

The Group’s US-based combat vehicles business 
is underpinned by the Armored Multi-Purpose 
Vehicle and M109A7 self-propelled howitzer 
contracts. The business is also experiencing 
US and international demand on amphibious 
programmes.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016The US land business delivered good export 
order intake in the period on the back of 
contract awards on Assault Amphibious 
Vehicles to Japan, BvS10 military vehicles to 
Austria, CV90 combat vehicle upgrades for 
Sweden, and M109 and M113 upgrades to 
Brazil, and our weapon systems business was 
awarded contracts for gun systems for the 
Royal Navy Type 26 frigate. The contract for 
M777 howitzers to India under a US Foreign 
Military Sale was signed in January 2017.

FNSS, the Turkish land systems business in 
which BAE Systems holds a 49% interest, 
secured further domestic and international 
orders in the year, and the business holds 
an order book of $1.1bn (£0.9bn).

These long-term contracts, which offer 
opportunities in international markets, 
and our strong franchise in tracked vehicles 
make the land business well placed for a 
return to growth in the medium term.

BAE Systems is a leading supplier of ship 
repair services to the US Navy and continues 
to adjust its workforce and facilities to meet 
evolving demand. Our San Diego operations 
are expected to benefit from enhanced 
Asia-Pacific deployment over the mid-term, 
mitigating the anticipated reduction in activity 
in the East Coast facilities. Additional dry 
dock capacity for the San Diego operations 
became operational in February 2017.

Our US business’s commercial shipbuilding 
contracts have been challenging in the year, 
with further charges taken. Six ships have 
now been accepted and production of the 
remaining two is maturing well with delivery 
and customer acceptance expected in 2017. 
The US business has not contracted for any 
more commercial ship-build.

Whilst market conditions remain highly 
competitive and continue to evolve, our 
US-based Intelligence & Security business 
has performed well, securing good 2016 
order intake including a number of new 
multi-year service contracts.

Our strategy in action
Drive value and growth from our  
defence platforms and services

F-35 Lightning II 
global sustainment

  More online
  baesystems.com

We are a key partner in the development, 
manufacture, integration and sustainment 
of F-35 Lightning II, the world’s largest 
defence programme. In 2016, we cemented 
our position as part of the emerging global 
sustainment network to support the aircraft.

In the US, we are the Electronic Warfare, 
Vehicle Management Computer and Active 
Inceptor System provider. In addition, we 
are part of the Integrated Test Force team, 
providing support activities, including fleet 
management, maintenance, repair and 
overhaul, spares, software development 
and support, and training.

In the UK, we will carry out maintenance 
and upgrade services for avionics and 
aircraft components, alongside our partners, 
as a European repair hub. We are also 
delivering engineering, management and 
training facilities in preparation for the 
arrival of the aircraft in the UK.

In Australia, we will be responsible for 
airframe maintenance, repair, overhaul 
and upgrade in the South Pacific for 
F-35 Lightning II aircraft operating in the 
region from 2018. We will also provide 
maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade 
services for F-35 avionics and aircraft 
components working alongside our 
industry partners.

13

UK
Our UK-based business continued to perform 
well, benefiting from good programme 
execution and stability in customer 
requirements following the UK Strategic 
Defence and Security Review in 2015.

Whilst the result of the 2016 EU referendum 
in the UK continues to create economic 
uncertainty, good progress has been achieved 
in implementing the Strategic Defence and 
Security Review through long-term contract 
awards and commitments.

In the air domain, Typhoon aircraft deliveries 
for the Royal Air Force and Royal Saudi Air 
Force continued alongside airframe 
sub-assembly deliveries to European partner 
nations. The Oman Typhoon programme is 
on track to commence deliveries in 2017. The 
contract to supply 28 Typhoon aircraft sets for 
the Kuwaiti Air Force is consistent with the 
medium-term production planning assumptions 
announced last year. We have received £1bn 
of order intake on this programme.

Export activity continues to be well supported 
by the UK government and, although there 
can be no certainty as to the timing of orders, 
discussions with current and prospective 
operators of the Typhoon aircraft continue 
to support the Group’s expectations for 
additional Typhoon contract awards.

Typhoon’s capabilities continue to expand, 
with the ongoing integration of the Captor 
E-Scan radar, Storm Shadow, Meteor and 
Brimstone 2 missiles, and development 
towards the Royal Air Force Centurion 
standard. A Typhoon support partnership 
arrangement, expected to be worth at least 
£2.1bn over a ten-year period, was signed 
in July.

UK-based production of rear fuselage 
assemblies for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft 
is increasing at the Group’s advanced 
manufacturing facilities with much of the 
production investment already in place to 
achieve the higher production volumes.

In November, the F-35 Joint Programme 
Office announced that it had chosen the 
UK and Australia as significant repair hubs 
for the maintenance, repair, overhaul and 
upgrade of F-35 Lightning II avionics and 
components. These repair hub assignments 
will support the growing global fleet until 
2025 after which the UK and Australia will 
undertake repairs for the European and 
Pacific fleets, respectively. BAE Systems plays 
a leading role in both the UK and Australia as 
we bring our strong track record of working 
alongside our international customers and 
industry partners to deliver innovative and 
cost-effective sustainment solutions.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
14

Chief Executive’s review 
continued

A long-term Hawk support contract in the 
UK was announced in the year and support 
was maintained to the Indian Hawk 
programme with the supply of materiel 
and engineering services.

The unmanned air systems activity benefited 
from the announcement by the UK and French 
governments of a new €2bn (£1.7bn) project 
to build unmanned combat air system 
demonstrators following a successful joint 
feasibility study.

In Turkey, following a pre-contract study phase 
between BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace 
Industries, we have signed a heads of 
agreement to collaborate on the first design 
and development phase of an indigenous 
fifth-generation fighter jet for the Turkish Air 
Force. When on contract, this will have a value 
in excess of £100m.

In the maritime domain, submarine activity is 
increasing with the Astute and Dreadnought 
Class submarines now both in production. 
The first three Astute Class submarines are in 
operational service with the Royal Navy and 
the remaining four boats in build. 

The UK government’s commitment to the 
Dreadnought programme was endorsed 
by Parliament during the year. Funding was 
received for the continued design, initial 
manufacture of the first boat, material 
commitment and facilities investment for 
the major redevelopment of the Barrow site. 

The Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems and 
Rolls-Royce have signed a heads of terms to set 
up a Dreadnought Build Alliance documenting 
the UK government and industry’s commitment 
to the delivery of the Dreadnought Class 
submarine programme, the replacement for 
the Royal Navy’s Vanguard Class submarine 
fleet, and setting out an organisational and 
managerial structure and series of commercial 
principles necessary to deliver it.

The Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier 
programme progresses with assembly of the 
second ship well under way. Preparations for 
sea trials on the first of class vessel in 2017 
are maturing and activity to support entry 
into service is expanding.

In preparation for the manufacturing 
phase, an extension to the Type 26 frigate 
demonstration phase contract was secured 
in March and, under a heads of terms signed 
in November, BAE Systems and the Ministry 
of Defence reached agreement on the 
intention to build eight Type 26 ships on the 
Clyde, with a cut-steel date in summer 2017. 
Two additional River Class Offshore Patrol 
Vessels were also contracted for in December. 
Build of the first three Offshore Patrol Vessels 
is progressing well, with sea trials for the first 
ship planned in the second quarter of 2017.

Our strategy in action
Continuously improve efficiency  
and competitiveness

Dreadnought 
Class submarine 
production

  More online
  baesystems.com

© Crown copyright

International
In the 50th year of its presence in Saudi 
Arabia, BAE Systems continues to address 
current and potential new requirements as 
part of the long-standing agreements between 
the UK government and the Kingdom. Our 
In-Kingdom Industrial Participation programme 
also continues apace.

An agreement has been reached with the 
Saudi Arabian government for BAE Systems 
to continue to provide support services to 
the Royal Saudi Air Force and Royal Saudi 
Naval Forces under the Saudi British Defence 
Co-operation Programme for a further 
five years.

On the Salam Typhoon programme, the 
remaining four of the contracted 72 aircraft 
will be delivered in 2017. Deliveries have 
commenced under the Hawk aircraft 
contract signed in 2012. The Royal Saudi 
Air Force has achieved high utilisation and 
aircraft availability across its Typhoon, 
Tornado and training aircraft fleets.

In Australia, the business is stable. The 
rationalisation of the Williamstown shipbuilding 
facility and cost-reduction actions taken across 
the wider business in 2015 are complete. 
Long-term sustainment and upgrade contracts 
were received for the Anzac Class frigates and 
F-35 Lightning II aircraft. 

BAE Systems has entered into a heads 
of terms with the UK Ministry of Defence 
and Rolls-Royce to develop an alliance 
to deliver the UK’s four new ballistic 
missile-carrying submarines. Such an 
alliance structure would draw on best 
practice between government and 
industry, with the aim of driving 
continuous improvement, efficiencies 
and programme performance.

Following £1.3bn of funding from the 
UK government, we started production 
on the first Dreadnought Class submarine, 
Dreadnought, in September. The 
programme already employs more than 
2,600 people across the Ministry of 
Defence and industry, including 1,800 
at BAE Systems, and to date we have 
worked with more than 100 suppliers, 
with 85% based in the UK.

In India, BAE Systems has a long-standing 
relationship with Hindustan Aeronautics 
Limited (HAL). Delivery of the second batch 
of HAL-built Hawk aircraft was completed in 
the year and an order for a further batch from 
the Indian Air Force is being negotiated.

In November, the US and Indian governments 
signed a Letter of Agreement for the Foreign 
Military Sale of 145 M777 lightweight 
howitzers and, in January 2017, we received 
the $542m (£439m) contract from the US 
government to supply these howitzers to 
the Indian Army. As previously announced, 
Mahindra & Mahindra will be our supplier 
to establish an assembly, integration and 
test facility in India as further support for 
the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The MBDA joint venture won significant 
order intake on air, maritime and land 
platforms in the year, including a number 
of contracts supporting the UK’s complex 
weapons requirements and significant 
export awards. Building on its already 
large order book, good growth in MBDA 
is expected over the medium term.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
15

Cyber security
Applied Intelligence achieved double-digit 
order intake and sales growth. Ongoing 
investment in engineering capabilities, 
product development and marketing costs, 
all expensed, continues to support the future 
growth profile for the business.

Cyber security is becoming an important part 
of government security and a core element of 
stewardship for commercial enterprises.

Balance sheet and capital allocation
The Group’s balance sheet is managed 
conservatively in line with its policy to retain its 
investment grade credit rating and to ensure 
operating flexibility. Consistent with this 
approach, the Group expects to continue to 
meet its pension obligations, invest in research 
and technology and other organic investment 
opportunities, and plans to pay dividends in 
line with its policy of long-term sustainable 
cover of around two times underlying earnings 
and to make accelerated returns of capital to 
shareholders when the balance sheet allows. 
Investment in value-enhancing acquisitions 
will be considered where market conditions 
are right and where they deliver on the 
Group’s strategy.

Pension schemes
The Group’s share of the pre-tax accounting 
net pension deficit has increased by £1.6bn 
from 31 December 2015 to £6.1bn mainly 
reflecting an increase in liabilities due to a 
1.2 percentage point reduction in the real 
discount rate to −0.5% in the UK, partly 
offset by returns on scheme assets.

The next UK triennial funding reviews will 
commence in April 2017 and, in conjunction 
with the trustees of the schemes and other 
stakeholders, the Group will be looking 
at various options with a focus on the 
longer-term view.

Responsible business 
We continue to build a culture where 
our senior leaders and employees are 
empowered to make the right decisions 
and to know where to go for help. During 
2016, we rolled out further ethics training 
across the Group to support employees.

The safety of our employees, and anybody 
who works on, or visits, our sites, remains 
a key priority. We provide training and tools 
to employees to help them understand the 
importance of a safe workplace. There was 
a 21% reduction in the Recordable Accident 
Rate in 2016, representing an improvement 
against target. In addition, there was a 26% 
reduction in the total number of major injuries 
recorded in the year as we continued to focus 
on reducing risk and embedding safety culture 
to drive improvement.

Attracting and retaining talented employees 
helps us to sustain our competitive edge. 
We encourage our employees to reach their 
full potential within a diverse and inclusive 
work environment. We have programmes in 
place across the business to support strategic 
workforce planning, career development 
and retention, as well as to improve diversity 
and inclusion.

Summary
Our business benefits from a large order 
backlog, with established positions on 
long-term programmes in the US, UK, 
Saudi Arabia and Australia. Our clear and 
well-defined strategy has guided us through 
a period of difficult market conditions. 
As the overall business environment in 
our major markets improves and through 
execution of our strategy, we are well 
placed to maximise opportunities, deal with 
the challenges and continue to generate 
attractive shareholder returns.

Ian King Chief Executive

P16
  Group strategic framework

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
16

Group strategic  
framework

Our strategy sets out 
what we aim to achieve 
as a company.

To achieve our vision and mission, our strategy 
comprises five longer-term focus areas and six 
near-term objectives. This strategy remains 
consistent, with just two small changes that 
reflect an increasing opportunity for growth.

To maintain our world-class capabilities and 
seize opportunities for growth, we need to 
retain and recruit skilled people from the 
widest possible talent pool and create an 
inclusive culture where everyone can achieve 

their full potential. This is reflected in our 
commitment to ‘inspire and develop a diverse 
workforce to drive success’.

With recent commitments to long-term 
defence platforms and support programmes 
and improved prospects for many of our 
core franchises, we have highlighted the 
opportunity for growth in our strategic 
objective to ‘drive value and growth from 
our defence platforms and services’.

Our vision is to be the premier international defence, 
aerospace and security company

Our mission is to safeguard and enhance our customers’ vital interests
and deliver sustainable growth in shareholder value

Our strategy
– Maintain and grow our defence businesses
– Continue to grow our business in adjacent markets
– Develop and expand our international business
– Inspire and develop a diverse workforce to drive success
– Enhance overall financial performance and competitive positions

Strategic objectives

Continuously
improve
efficiency and
competitiveness

Drive value 
and growth from 
our defence 
platforms 
and services

Accelerate the 
growth of our 
cyber, intelligence
and security
business

Continue
to win new
international
orders

Continue to grow 
our electronic
systems business

Leverage our
technology and
engineering
capabilities

Our strategy in action

P14
   Dreadnought 

Class submarine 
production

P13
   F-35 Lightning II 

global sustainment

P38
   Strategic alliances to 
drive cyber growth

P42
   Expanding our 
international 
footprint

P34
   Increasing production 
of electronic warfare 
systems

P44
   Next-generation 
Bradley focuses 
on the future

P46
   UK Typhoon 

support contract

P50
   Supporting 

industrialisation 
in Saudi Arabia

P40
   International 

cyber defence 
partnering

P52
   Australian Hawk 
support contract

P36
   Growing demand 

for APKWS™ 
laser-guided rockets

P48
   Developing 

unmanned boat 
technology

Our values are Trusted, Innovative and Bold

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our markets

BAE Systems is the third 
largest global defence 
company.

17

International growth aspirations 
Following a number of years of defence 
spend contraction, global defence markets 
are beginning to stabilise, with a number of 
nations returning to growth in response to an 
increasingly uncertain security environment.

As the changing future character of 
conflict continues to shape our customers’ 
requirements, we are responding to their 
needs for greater focus on technological 
advancements and greater agility. Our 
international footprint and capabilities provide 
us with the ability to deliver new solutions 
and services across geographical borders and 
across domains, as demonstrated in key 
programmes such as F-35 Lightning II 
sustainment.

Supporting our customers
Our strategy focuses on developing our 
core franchises in defence platforms and 
services to support customers in our principal 
markets – the US, UK, Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia and Australia. These are countries 
that are recognised as having a continued 
and sustained commitment to defence and 
security, and where we have established 
long-term customer relationships. We play a 
key role in these markets and are recognised 
as being a significant contributor to their 
defence industrial capabilities. 

We have a strong position in the US through 
our Special Security Agreement and, as the 
largest defence contractor in the UK, we have 
a unique position amongst defence players. 
Our US and UK capabilities provide us with 
the ability to leverage intellectual property 
and capabilities that support our international 
export growth.

As markets and customer requirements 
develop, BAE Systems has evolved its strategy 
recognising the importance of cyber as an 
area that is rapidly becoming a priority for 
governments and commercial organisations 
alike. Cyber is now recognised as a new 
domain in its own right alongside the 
traditional military domains of air, maritime 
and land. Our solutions and services recognise 
that cyber has no borders and requires an 
international capability to support our 
government and commercial customers 
across the globe. 

Accessible global defence markets1

Top ten global defence markets accessible 
for business by the Group ($bn)

BAE Systems’ global defence market position

Top ten global defence 
contractors’ revenue ($bn)

1. US

2. UK

3. Saudi Arabia

4. India

5. France

6. Japan

7. Germany

8. South Korea

9. Australia

10. Brazil

61
51
47
44
42
36
33
28
24

560

1. Lockheed Martin

41

2. Boeing

3. BAE Systems

4. Raytheon

5. General Dynamics

6. Northrop Grumman

7. Airbus

8. Leonardo

9. L-3 Communications

Principal markets

10. Thales

30

25

22

19
18

13

9
9
8

Source: 2015 US budget as shown in the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2017 
Budget Request and, outside the US, IHS Jane’s Defence Budgets (based on 2015 
total defence budgets and constant 2016 US dollars).

Source: Defense News Top 100 for 2016 (based on 2015 numbers). 
Exchange rate applied to BAE Systems is $1.41/£1.

1. Markets inaccessible for business by BAE Systems are excluded.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201618

Our markets 
continued

BAE Systems has leading 
positions in its four principal 
markets and new business 
prospects in a number of 
other international markets.

Sales1 by destination

E

A

D

C

A US

B UK

B

C Saudi Arabia

D Australia
E Other international markets2

36%

21%

21%

3%

19%

1.  Revenue including the Group’s share of revenue 

of equity accounted investments.

2. Includes £1.0bn (5%) of sales generated under the 
Typhoon workshare agreement with Eurofighter 
Jagdflugzeug GmbH.

US

UK

BAE Systems is the largest 
defence company in the 
UK, with strong and enduring 
relationships with the Ministry 
of Defence.

We hold key positions in providing equipment 
and services to the UK armed forces across 
air, maritime, land and cyber. In turn, the UK 
government plays a crucial role in supporting 
our export ambitions, recognising the benefit 
exports can bring to the UK economy.

The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security 
Review set out the UK’s strategic ambitions. 
The subsequent Spending Review in 2015 
outlined a 3.1% real-term increase to the 
defence budget by 2020 as part of the 
commitment to spend 2% of Gross Domestic 
Product on defence. The government has 
taken substantial steps in 2016 towards 
these plans, with the commitment to eight 
Type 26 frigates, a contract awarded for 
two additional Offshore Patrol Vessels and 
parliamentary approval given to maintain 
the Continuous-At-Sea Deterrent with a 
new class of four submarines, named the 
Dreadnought Class.

Commitment has been made to the UK’s 
cyber security capabilities, with the launch 
of the National Cyber Security Strategy 
2016–2021. This sets out the government’s 
plan to make Britain secure and resilient in 
cyberspace, with a £1.9bn investment over 
the next five years. 

BAE Systems remains a 
top ten defence supplier 
in the US.

We provide products and services that span the 
air, maritime, land and cyber domains through 
our Electronic Systems, Intelligence & Security 
and Platforms & Services (US) businesses.

Whilst budgetary pressures are expected to 
continue in the US, it remains the single largest 
defence market in the world by some margin. 

Operating under a Continuing Resolution 
through the spring of 2017, defence spending 
is expected to stay at levels above the Budget 
Control Act caps through the September 
close of the 2017 fiscal year, with potential 
upside if the new administration is able to 
secure additional Department of Defense 
budget and appropriations legislation to 
support President Trump’s campaign 
promises to build up the US military.

The US-based business has strong, 
long-standing market positions and capabilities 
in electronic warfare systems, advanced 
avionics, precision-guided munitions, 
next-generation IT and intelligence analysis, 
combat vehicles, naval guns, and naval ship 
repair and modernisation services.

In addition to our position on some of the 
premier defence programmes in the US, a 
significant portion of the US-based portfolio 
is focused on Foreign Military Sales and direct 
international sales opportunities to key allied 
nations. These activities and pursuits include 
avionics, engine and flight controls, and cabin 
systems for the commercial aviation market, 
electric drive propulsion systems in the 
international bus transit market and export 
sales, such as those for defence electronics, 
combat and amphibious vehicles and, most 
recently, the M777 lightweight howitzer.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016International

Australia 
BAE Systems remains 
the largest defence 
company in Australia, 
with activities across air, 
maritime, land and cyber.

Continued regional instability in the 
Asia-Pacific region is focusing the Australian 
government on strengthening and modernising 
its armed forces. Re-commitment to meeting 
the defence funding target of 2% by 2020/21 
was outlined in the Australian Defence White 
Paper and Integrated Investment Plan during 
2016. The Defence White Paper also outlined 
the Australian government’s continued 
commitment to shipbuilding and support 
in Australia, a key sector for BAE Systems.

We remain well positioned to support 
government plans through participation in 
key programmes across air, maritime, land 
and cyber domains that currently include 
programmes such as Hawk Lead-In Fighter 
sustainment and Anzac frigate support 
and upgrade.

Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
is the third largest accessible 
defence market globally as 
ongoing regional challenges 
continue to drive a strong 
defence agenda. 

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, launched in 
April, to diversify revenues away from oil, 
identifies the defence industry as an area 
for reform to build Saudi Arabia’s industrial 
capability through direct investments and 
strategic partnerships. 

Through the reorganisation of the Group’s 
portfolio of interests in a number of industrial 
companies, we continue to support the 
Saudi National Objectives, identified in the 
Saudi government’s Vision 2030, of local skills 
and technology development, increasing 
employment, and developing an indigenous 
defence industry.

We remain the prime contractor for the Saudi 
British Defence Co-operation Programme 
and the Salam Typhoon programme between 
the Saudi and UK governments in support 
of defence platforms and training systems 
for the Royal Saudi Air Force and Royal Saudi 
Naval Forces. These programmes commit us 
to support the Saudi National Objectives 
through strong, enduring partnerships 
providing significant collaboration and 
transfer of expertise to Saudi industry and 
the Kingdom’s nationals.

19

Other international markets
Outside of our principal 
markets, we have many 
long-standing and well-
established relationships.

We have customers in more than 100 
countries. Our international activities include 
the majority of the Group’s products and 
services portfolio, from combat aircraft to 
armoured vehicles and from electronic 
systems to cyber security.

As growth in international defence spending 
in regions such as Asia and the Middle East 
grows faster than the more mature markets 
of the US and UK, we have built strong local 
relationships working both directly with 
governments and partnering with local industry.

We continue to build on our relationship with 
Oman, with Typhoon and Hawk deliveries due 
to begin in 2017 and, in India, we are building 
on our strong relationship with Hindustan 
Aeronautics Limited and a more recent 
relationship with Mahindra & Mahindra. 

Our footprint is growing in Turkey in the 
tracked and wheeled armoured combat 
vehicles market through our joint venture with 
FNSS. We are also collaborating with Turkish 
Aerospace Industries on the first design and 
development phase of an indigenous fifth- 
generation fighter jet for the Turkish Air Force.

We have a strong presence in Sweden through 
our BAE Systems Hägglunds tracked vehicle 
business and our weapon systems business.

We continue to develop our export business, 
including sales of Assault Amphibious Vehicles 
to the Japanese Ministry of Defence and, in 
Brazil, we are developing our presence as 
supported by a contract for 32 upgraded 
M109A5+ self-propelled howitzers awarded 
in September.

Through our shareholding in MBDA, our 
position in the missiles and missile systems 
market continues to grow in European and 
other international markets.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201620

How our 
business works

We provide advanced technology defence, aerospace and security 
solutions that aim to give our customers a competitive edge.

We aim to deliver…
…products and services that 
safeguard and enhance our 
customers’ vital interests:
Our largest customers are governments, 
but we also sell to large prime contractors and 
commercial businesses. We take on and solve 
some of our customers’ most complex and 
challenging engineering and technology 
projects to give them a competitive edge, 
helping them protect what matters most.

P04

…sustainable growth in 
shareholder value:
Our balance sheet is managed conservatively 
in line with our capital allocation policy to 
enable us to retain our investment grade credit 
rating and to ensure operating flexibility.

P29

We create value through…

–  Established positions on long-term programmes
–  Strong relationships with governments and 

large commercial customers

–  Our position as a trusted supplier allows us 

to identify emerging trends and opportunities 
for growth

… identifying 

customer needs

… services, sustainment 

and upgrade

–  Understanding our customers to provide 

services that add value

–  Technical expertise acquired through 
product design and development

–  Flexibility and responsiveness to maximise 
availability of our customers’ products

Our business model is underpinned by…

…our values
Our values of Trusted, Innovative 
and Bold are at the heart of 
everything we do. We ask all of our 
employees to demonstrate these 
values in their day-to-day work, 
wherever they are in the world.

…our people
We have a diverse range of talented 
people. We invest in education and 
training for our existing workforce, 
including apprenticeship and 
graduate programmes, and work 
with education sectors to help 
shape the workforce of the future.

P16

P22

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
21

–  Technological capabilities which drive innovation
–  Partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises 

and academia to develop new solutions

–  Early-stage research which is self-funded and then 

further developed with customer funding

–  Critical skills in identifying risk, whilst 

focusing on value for customers

–  Record of delivery on complex projects
–  Partnerships with local companies 
supporting economic development

… research and  
development

… bidding and  
contracting

… advanced manufacturing, 

commissioning and integration

… designing and  
developing

–  Investment in advanced manufacturing facilities 

and techniques

–  Focus on operational excellence with safety as 

a key priority

–  Management of complex projects and supply chains

–  Engineering expertise in developing 
cutting-edge products and services

–  Product safety embedded in our designs 
to maximise safety in the construction 
and use of our products

–  Products designed to be easily maintained 

and upgraded as technology evolves 

…our technology
We focus on technology innovation 
and engineering excellence, investing 
in next-generation research and 
development programmes to deliver 
competitive solutions to meet our 
current and future customers’ needs.

…our responsible behaviour
We take pride in managing our 
operations responsibly and we 
require our employees to conduct 
business in an ethical way under 
our Code of Conduct to enable 
us to earn and maintain the trust 
of our stakeholders.

…our governance framework
Our robust governance framework 
sets out the way we do business. 
It details our policies and processes 
which, together with our culture, 
enable us to operate in a clear, 
accountable and consistent way.

P23

P55

P66

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
   
 
   
 
   
22

Our people

Retaining and recruiting 
talented people from 
the widest possible talent 
pool is a key priority.

Gender diversity

Board

Senior managers1,2

Total employees3,4

Age diversity3,4

Male
8
73%

283
84%

61,000
80%

Female
3
27%

52
16%

15,000
20%

50–59
years
 23,000

60 years
and older
 8,000

24 years and
younger
 5,000

25–34
years
 15,000

35–49
years
 25,000

1. Senior managers are defined as employees (excluding 

executive directors) who have responsibility for planning, 
directing or controlling the activities of the Group or a 
strategically significant part of the Group and/or who 
are directors of subsidiary companies.

2. Excludes executive directors.
3. Excluding share of equity accounted investments and 

rounded to the nearest thousand employees.

4. See summary of Deloitte LLP assurance on page 57.

Diversity
Diversity encourages creativity, drives 
innovation and better equips us to solve our 
customers’ complex challenges. We are 
committed to creating an inclusive environment 
with a diverse workforce, which reflects the 
communities we work in. 

We have programmes in place across the 
business to improve diversity and inclusion, 
including unconscious bias training, mentoring 
programmes, increasing female representation 
in senior roles and lesbian, gay, bisexual and 
transgender employee networks. In 2016, our 
Chief Executive established a global council 
on diversity and inclusion to progress strategic 
workforce planning across the business.

In 2017, we will commence gender pay gap 
reporting in accordance with the UK’s 
legislative requirements, including a narrative 
to explain the actions we are taking to address 
gender diversity within our UK workforce.

Development
We want to enable every employee to 
reach their full potential and feel rewarded 
for what they do. We support this through 
our comprehensive career frameworks, 
development programmes and the breadth 
of our operations around the world. 

In some markets, there is a shortage of 
qualified engineering and technology skills. 
We are encouraging more young people 
to consider careers in Science, Technology, 
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to fill 
this gap and support our future growth, and 
have a number of initiatives to support the 
promotion of STEM subjects and careers for 
young people in our markets.

Our apprenticeship and graduate programmes 
aim to attract top engineering talent into our 
business. In the UK, we are one of the biggest 
recruiters of apprentices and our training 
programme was rated ‘outstanding’ by the 
Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). 
During 2016, we recruited 667 apprentices 
and higher-level apprentices, and 289 
graduates in the UK. At 31 December 2016, 
we had over 2,000 apprentices in training 
across our UK business, 6% of the workforce.

Our focus on professional development 
throughout our employees’ careers supports 
their continued personal and professional 
growth, and ensures that we have the 
skills to meet our customers’ current and 
future requirements. 

Reward
We provide our employees with competitive 
reward packages which reflect their individual 
responsibilities and contribution to business 
performance, and we recognise individual and 
team successes. Employees are offered a range 
of benefits, including employee share schemes, 
throughout their careers with the Company.

Engagement
Employee engagement enables our employees 
to contribute to improving business performance 
and helps us to gauge our performance in 
creating an environment in which everyone 
can fulfil their potential.

We keep employees informed about what 
is happening across the business, including 
Company results, major business decisions 
and other matters which affect them, using 
a variety of media, including our intranet and 
e-mail, through podcasts, newsletters and 
leadership blogs, and also through team briefs 
and team meetings where we seek to listen 
to employees’ views and opinions. Employees 
have the opportunity to provide feedback 
through our engagement surveys.

The Group welcomes employees becoming 
shareholders in BAE Systems and offers 
employee share plans to support this.

We seek to maintain constructive relationships 
with our trade unions in the UK and Australia, 
and our labour unions in the US.

Award-winning training

Our UK apprenticeship programme was awarded 
the new Princess Royal Training Award in 2016 
for excellence in delivering skills for business 
performance. The award recognises that 
apprentices are a key element of our talent 
pipeline and are given exceptional enrichment 
activities. Our support to young unemployed 
people through work experience under The 
Prince’s Trust Movement to Work programme 
was also recognised and has led to many full-time 
roles in our business. The judges also commended 
our leadership in the engineering sector for our 
development of new standards for engineering 
and manufacturing apprenticeships.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
Our technology

23

We have developed some 
of the world’s most innovative 
technologies and continue 
to invest in research and 
development.

Protecting our investment in new technologies 
is important and we have a portfolio of 
patents and patent applications covering 
approximately 2,000 inventions internationally. 

Focus
Areas of focus include electronic warfare, 
platform protection, defence and commercial 
aerospace electronics, intelligent unmanned 
systems, augmented reality, cyber security and 
big data analytics. We also look at emergent 
new technologies and, in 2015, agreed to 
acquire a 20% interest in Reaction Engines 
which is working on a radical new aerospace 
engine concept with the potential to 
revolutionise hypersonic flight and the 
economics of space access.

Partnering
Partnerships are essential if we are to 
unlock the full potential of new technologies. 
We work closely with a range of partners, 
including governments, other major defence 
companies, small and medium-sized 
enterprises, and universities, bringing together 
the best brains to drive innovation.

Technology
Our customers use our advanced defence 
technology to protect people and national 
security, and keep critical information and 
infrastructure secure. We are constantly 
looking to advance our technology, searching 
for new ways to provide our customers with a 
competitive edge. This can take many forms: 
increased protection, greater precision, 
superior manoeuvrability or speed, enhanced 
awareness of surroundings, superior range 
and firepower or reduced costs and greater 
efficiency – the ability to do more with less. 

Investment
It is vital that we stay ahead of the curve. 
To do this, we embrace disruptive technology 
and we continue to drive innovation and 
invest in research and development both on 
a self-funded basis and in conjunction with 
our customers. Company-funded research 
and development investment is particularly 
prevalent in areas such as defence and 
commercial aerospace electronics, military 
aircraft and cyber security, and early-stage 
research is often further developed with 
customer funding.

Our research and development programmes 
aim to improve the capability and performance 
of our products and services, reduce the cost 
of production, and provide our customers 
with efficiency savings and lower through-life 
costs. In 2016, we spent £1.4bn (2015 £1.3bn) 
on research and development, of which £206m 
(2015 £168m) was funded by the Group.

Handheld cognitive electronic 
warfare technology1
Through a contract with the US Defense Advanced 
Research Projects Agency (DARPA), BAE Systems 
has developed a new lightweight handheld tactical 
sensor that soldiers can easily carry and use to 
better understand radio frequency signals for 
enhanced situational awareness. By using cognitive 
processing algorithms, this technology can quickly 
detect and identify multiple interfering signals, 
such as jammers or enemy communication signals, 
across a wide spectrum and in changing and 
challenging environments. During recent field 
tests, the new technology successfully detected 
and identified more than ten signal types across 
a wide bandwidth in the presence of interference. 
We expect to continue to mature this technology 
for eventual deployment within our electronic 
warfare, signals intelligence and tactical 
communications portfolios.

1. This material is based upon work supported by the 

US Air Force and DARPA under contract no. FA8650- 
11-C-7160. Any opinions, findings and conclusions 
or recommendations expressed in this material are 
those of BAE Systems and do not necessarily reflect 
the views of the US Air Force and DARPA.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201624

Financial 
review

Peter Lynas Group Finance Director

We monitor the underlying 
financial performance of the 
Group using the alternative 
performance measures defined 
on page 6. These measures 
are not defined in IFRS1 and, 
therefore, are considered to 
be non‑GAAP2 measures. 
Accordingly, the relevant IFRS1 
measures are also presented 
where appropriate.

Financial performance

Measures as defined by the Group

Measures defined in IFRS1

Sales 

KPI

 P25

Revenue

 £19,020m (2015 £17,904m)

 £17,790m (2015 £16,787m)

Underlying EBITA 

KPI

 P25

Operating profit

 £1,905m (2015 £1,683m)

 £1,742m (2015 £1,502m)

Underlying earnings per share 

 40.3p (2015 40.2p)

Operating business cash flow 

 £1,004m (2015 £681m)

Net debt 

  KPI
  BONUS

 P26

Basic earnings per share

 28.8p (2015 29.0p)

KPI

 P26

Net cash flow from operating activities

 £1,229m (2015 £808m)4

KPI

 P28

 £(1,542)m (2015 £(1,422)m)

BONUS

Order intake3 

 £22,443m (2015 £14,921m)

KPI
  BONUS

P06–07
   Alternative performance 

measure definitions

Order backlog3

 £42.0bn (2015 £36.8bn)

 P27

 P27

BONUS

80% of the UK executive directors’ bonuses are based 
on the achievement of financial KPIs (see page 87).

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
 
 
25

Income statement
Sales increased by £1.1bn to £19.0bn (2015 £17.9bn), almost all of 
which was due to exchange translation.

Underlying EBITA increased by £222m to £1,905m (2015 £1,683m), 
giving a return on sales of 10.0% (2015 9.4%). There was an exchange 
translation benefit of £96m. Growth on a constant currency basis was 
at 7%.

Revenue increased by £1.0bn to £17.8bn (2015 £16.8bn).

Operating profit increased by £240m to £1,742m (2015 £1,502m), 
giving a return on revenue of 9.8% (2015 8.9%). There was an 
exchange translation benefit of £86m.

Non-recurring items represents an impairment in respect of the 
BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair business sold in January 
2017. Non‑recurring items in 2015 of £26m included research and 
development expenditure credits relating to 2013 and 2014 (£50m), 
partly offset by a loss on the disposal of the Group’s 75% 
shareholding in the Land Systems South Africa business (£24m).

Amortisation of intangible assets reduced to £87m (2015 £108m) 
due to previously acquired intangible assets now fully amortised.

Impairment of intangible assets in 2015 mainly comprised the 
impairment of goodwill in the US Intelligence & Security business 
reflecting lower business growth assumptions.

Financial expense of equity accounted investments is £28m 
(2015 income £3m). There was a large gain in 2015 on the translation 
of foreign currency assets in Air Astana.

Net finance costs were £591m (2015 £412m). The underlying 
interest charge, excluding pension accounting, and fair value 
and foreign exchange adjustments on financial instruments and 
investments, increased to £245m (2015 £191m) primarily reflecting 
interest on the bonds issued in December 2015, incremental charges 
relating to net present value adjustments on the discounting of 
long‑term liability provisions and adverse exchange translation of 
interest charges on US dollar‑denominated borrowings. Net interest 
expense on the Group’s pension deficit was lower at £169m (2015 
£192m) mainly reflecting the lower 2015 closing deficit. Fair value 
and foreign exchange adjustments increased to £177m (2015 £29m) 
on adverse exchange translation of US dollar‑denominated bonds.

Taxation expense, including equity accounted investments, of 
£249m (2015 £171m) reflects the Group’s underlying effective tax 
rate for the year of 21%. The calculation of the underlying effective 
tax rate is shown in note 6 to the Group accounts on page 136. 
The underlying effective tax rate for 2017 is expected to increase 
slightly from 21% to around 22%, with the final rate dependent 
on the geographical mix of profits.

Looking beyond 2017, the effective tax rate will depend principally on 
whether there are any changes in tax legislation in the Group’s most 
significant countries of operation, the geographical mix of profits and 
the resolution of open issues. With the political change in the US, 
proposals to significantly reform the corporate tax system are being 
considered. The Group will actively monitor any developments and 
evaluate their potential impact. The Group does not expect the 
future rate to be materially impacted by the changes to the 
international tax landscape resulting from the package of measures 
developed under the OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting 
project and the investigations and proposals of the European 
Commission. However, the Group will keep these under review.

Income statement
Financial performance measures 
as defined by the Group
Sales

Underlying EBITA

Return on sales

Financial performance  
measures defined in IFRS1
Revenue

Operating profit

Return on revenue

KPI

KPI

2016
£m

19,020

1,905

10.0%

2015
£m

17,904

1,683

9.4%

£m

£m

17,790

16,787

1,742

9.8%

1,502

8.9%

Reconciliation of sales to revenue
Sales

Deduct Share of sales by equity 

accounted investments

Add Sales to equity accounted investments

Revenue

£m

£m

KPI

19,020

17,904

(2,427)

1,197

17,790

(2,719)

1,602

16,787

Reconciliation of underlying 
EBITA to operating profit
Underlying EBITA

Non‑recurring items

Amortisation of intangible assets

Impairment of intangible assets

Financial (expense)/income of equity 

accounted investments

Taxation expense of equity accounted 

KPI

investments

Operating profit

Net finance costs

Taxation expense

Profit for the year

Sales bridge (£bn)

2015

Foreign exchange translation

Other

2016

 P128 Note 1 to the Group accounts

Exchange rates 
Average
2016
£/$

£/€

£/A$

Sensitivity analysis

Estimated impact on sales of a ten cent 
movement in the average exchange rate

$

€

A$

£m

1,905

(12)

(87)

–

(28)

(36)

1,742

(591)

(213)

938

2016

1.354

1.223

1.823

£m

1,683

26

(108)

(78)

3

(24)

1,502

(412)

(147)

943

17.9

1.0
0.1
19.0

2015

1.528

1.377

2.036

£m

500

60

30

1. International Financial Reporting Standards.
2. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
3. Including share of equity accounted investments.
4. Re‑presented to reclassify interest paid from operating to investing activities.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201626

Financial review 
continued

Earnings per share
Underlying earnings per share for the year was 40.3p (2015 40.2p). 
The prior year included a 4.3p per share benefit from tax provision 
releases. The major movements in underlying earnings per share are 
shown in the bridge chart below.

Cash flow
Operating business cash flow was £1,004m (2015 £681m), which 
includes cash contributions in respect of pension deficit funding, over 
and above service costs, for the UK and US schemes totalling £253m 
(2015 £274m).

Basic earnings per share was 28.8p (2015 29.0p).

Earnings per share
Financial performance measures 
as defined by the Group
Underlying earnings

2016

2015

£1,277m £1,270m

Underlying earnings per share

KPI

40.3p

40.2p

Receipts aggregating to approximately £250m, expected in 2017 on 
the Omani Typhoon programme, Saudi support and MBDA’s Qatar 
contract, were received in 2016.

Major advances received in 2012 on the Omani Typhoon and Hawk 
order, and the Saudi training aircraft contract, were consumed. 
Advances were also utilised in the year on European Typhoon production. 
Costs are being incurred against provisions created in previous years, 
primarily on the US commercial shipbuilding programmes.

Net cash flow from operating activities was £1,229m (2015 £808m).

£913m

28.8p

£918m

29.0p

Taxation payments increased to £187m (2015 £116m) primarily 
reflecting higher payments in the US due to higher US taxable profits 
and timing differences.

Financial performance  
measures defined in IFRS1
Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders

Basic earnings per share

Reconciliation of underlying earnings to profit 
for the year attributable to equity shareholders
Underlying earnings

Non‑recurring items, post tax

Amortisation and impairment of intangible 

assets, post tax

Impairment of goodwill

Net interest expense on retirement benefit 

obligations, post tax

Fair value and foreign exchange adjustments on 
financial instruments and investments, post tax

Profit for the year attributable 

to equity shareholders

Non‑controlling interests

Profit for the year

Underlying earnings per share bridge (p)

2015

2015 tax provision releases

Foreign exchange translation

2015 adjusted*

Finance costs

2015 Australian rationalisation/impairment

Trading mix

2016

*  2015 underlying earnings per share excluding tax provision releases 

and adjusted to 2016 exchange rates.

 P138 Note 7 to the Group accounts

1. International Financial Reporting Standards.
2. Including share of equity accounted investments.
3. Re‑presented to reclassify interest paid from operating to investing activities.

£m

1,277

(9)

(69)

–

£m

1,270

(19)

(88)

(75)

(140)

(158)

(146)

(12)

913

25

938

918

25

943

40.2
(4.3)

1.9
37.8
(1.1)
1.3

2.3
40.3

Net capital expenditure and financial investment was £450m 
(2015 £284m) largely reflecting lower proceeds from sale of property, 
plant and equipment, and investment property of £45m (2015 £136m). 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, and investment property 
were £49m higher primarily reflecting investment in manufacturing 
facilities at Electronic Systems.

Dividends received from equity accounted investments of £38m 
(2015 £41m) is primarily receipts from MBDA and FNSS.

Net interest paid was £27m higher at £200m (2015 £173m) primarily 
for interest on the bonds issued in December 2015 and adverse 
exchange translation of interest on US dollar‑denominated borrowings.

The cash inflow in respect of acquisitions and disposals in 2016 of 
£6m reflects the sale of a 4.1% shareholding in a subsidiary company 
in Saudi Arabia. In 2015, the net cash inflow of £16m included £21m 
received from the sale of the Group’s 75% shareholding in the Land 
Systems South Africa business, less £5m paid for the acquisition of 
Eclipse Electronic Systems, Inc.

Equity dividends paid in 2016 represents the 2015 final (£397m) 
and 2016 interim (£273m) dividends.

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests reduced to £24m 
(2015 £40m). An increased dividend was paid in 2015 by the Group’s 
75%‑owned South African business prior to disposal.

As a consequence of movements in US dollar and euro exchange 
rates, there was a cash inflow from matured derivative financial 
instruments of £480m (2015 £12m) from rolling hedges on balances 
with the Group’s subsidiaries and equity accounted investments. 
The inflow as a result of hedging cash loaned internally, from the US 
to the UK business, partially offsets the foreign exchange translation 
on the Group’s external US dollar‑denominated borrowing (see below).

Net cash flow from loans represents repayment of a $350m (£286m) 
3.5% bond at maturity in October. In 2015, BAE Systems issued $1.5bn 
(£971m) of bonds in the US capital market and repaid a $750m (£481m) 
5.2% bond at maturity.

Foreign exchange translation, which primarily arises in respect 
of the Group’s US dollar‑denominated borrowing, is partially offset 
by the cash inflow from matured derivative financial instruments 
(see above).

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201627

Orders
Order intake2 increased by £7.5bn to £22,443m (2015 £14,921m). 
Major awards in the year included £2.1bn on the ten‑year UK Typhoon 
support contract and initial order intake on the five‑year Saudi support 
renewal.

Order backlog2 increased by £5.2bn to £42.0bn (2015 £36.8bn). 
Exchange translation added £2.6bn compared with the prior year. 
The major movements in order backlog are shown in the bridge 
chart below.

Orders
Financial performance measures 
as defined by the Group
Order intake2

Order backlog2

Order backlog2 bridge (£bn)

2015

Foreign exchange translation

41

Order intake

(173)

Sales

16

Unfunded order backlog movements/other

2016

2015

KPI

£22,443m £14,921m

£42.0bn

£36.8bn

36.8

2.6

(0.8)
42.0

22.4
(19.0)

2016 
£m

KPI

1,004

Cash flow
Financial performance measures 
as defined by the Group
Operating business cash flow

Financial performance  
measures defined in IFRS1
Net cash flow from operating activities

Reconciliation from operating business cash 
flow to net cash flow from operating activities
Operating business cash flow

KPI

Add back Net capital expenditure 

and financial investment

Deduct Dividends received from equity 

accounted investments

Deduct Taxation 

Net cash flow from operating activities 

Net capital expenditure and financial investment

Dividends received from equity 

accounted investments

Net interest paid

Acquisitions and disposals

£m

1,229

£m

1,004

450

(38)

(187)

1,229

(450)

38

(200)

6

20153
£m

681

£m

808

£m

681

284

(41)

(116)

808

(284)

Net cash flow from investing activities 

(606)

(400)

2016

Net sale of own shares

Equity dividends paid 

Dividends paid to non‑controlling interests

Cash flow from matured derivative 

financial instruments

Movement in cash collateral

Net cash flow from loans

Net cash flow from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Add back/(deduct) Net cash flow from loans

Deduct Cash classified as held for sale

Foreign exchange translation

Other non‑cash movements

Increase in net debt

Opening net debt

Net debt

3

(670)

(24)

480

32

(286)

(465)

158

286

(2)

(621)

59

(120)

1

(655)

(40)

12

3

490

(189)

219

(490)

–

(165)

46

(390)

(1,422)

(1,542)

(1,032)

(1,422)

KPI

 P167 and P168 Notes 23 and 24 to the Group accounts

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201628

Financial review 
continued

Balance sheet
The £1.2bn increase in intangible assets to £11.3bn (2015 £10.1bn) 
mainly reflects exchange translation.

Property, plant and equipment, and investment property 
increased to £2.0bn (2015 £1.8bn), including £167m of exchange 
translation.

Equity accounted investments and other investments increased 
to £305m (2015 £256m) reflecting the Group’s share of profit for the 
year (£90m) less dividends received (£38m). Exchange translation was 
£52m. The increased share of pension deficit was £66m.

The £1.6bn increase in the Group’s share of the net IAS 19 pension 
deficit mainly reflects an increase in liabilities due to a 1.2 percentage 
point decrease in the real discount rate to −0.5% in the UK, partly 
offset by returns on scheme assets. The major movements in the 
net pension deficit are shown in the bridge chart opposite.

On 1 April 2016, a separate Airbus section of the BAE Systems 
Pension Scheme (Main Scheme) was created, reducing the total net 
IAS 19, Employee Benefits, deficit, with a corresponding reduction 
in the allocation to equity accounted investments.

Details of the Group’s pension schemes are provided in note 20 
to the Group accounts on page 155.

A net deferred tax asset of £1.2bn (2015 £0.9bn) relating to the Group’s 
pension deficit is included within net tax assets and liabilities.

There was a £0.3bn increase in working capital mainly reflecting a 
net reduction in advance contract funding and utilisation of provisions.

The assets and liabilities of the San Francisco ship repair business sold 
in January 2017, both totalling £2m, are classified as held for sale 
at 31 December 2016. The Group no longer expects to complete 
the disposal of Aircraft Accessories and Components Company and, 
accordingly, has ceased classifying it as held for sale (2015 £12m).

The Group’s net debt at 31 December 2016 is £1,542m, a net increase 
of £120m from the net debt position of £1,422m at the start of the 
year. A $350m (£286m) 3.5% bond was repaid at maturity in October. 
There are no further material debt maturities before 2019. The maturity 
of the Group’s borrowings is shown in the chart opposite. 

Cash and cash equivalents of £2,769m (2015 £2,537m) are held 
primarily for the repayment of debt securities, pension deficit funding, 
payment of the 2016 final dividend and management of working capital.

Critical accounting policies
Certain of the Group’s significant accounting policies are considered by 
the directors to be critical because of the level of complexity, judgement 
or estimation involved in their application and their impact on the 
consolidated financial statements:

Revenue and profit recognition
Revenue

£17.8bn (year ended 31 December 2016) 
See note 1 to the Group accounts

Carrying value of intangible assets
Intangible assets

£11.3bn (at 31 December 2016) 
See note 8 to the Group accounts

Valuation of retirement benefit obligations
Group’s share of the net 
IAS 19 pension deficit

£6.1bn (at 31 December 2016) 
See note 20 to the Group accounts

In addition to the critical accounting policies, management exercises 
judgement in applying the Group’s accounting policies in respect of 
tax provisions and deferred tax assets.

P122–123
  For more information

Balance sheet

Summarised balance sheet
Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment, and 

investment property1 

Equity accounted investments and 

other investments

Working capital1 

Group’s share of the net IAS 19 pension deficit 

(see below)

Net tax assets and liabilities

Net other financial assets and liabilities

2016
£m

2015
£m

11,264

10,117

1,999

1,772

305

256

(3,564)

(3,850)

(6,054)

(4,501)

935

121

661

(43)

Net debt

Net assets held for sale

Net assets

KPI

(1,542)

(1,422)

–

12

3,464

3,002

1. Funding received from the UK government for property, plant and equipment at 

Barrow‑in‑Furness, UK, relating to the Dreadnought submarine programme included 
in working capital in the Consolidated balance sheet is presented here in property, 
plant and equipment, and investment property.

Net IAS 19 pension deficit
Group’s share of the net IAS 19 pension deficit 

(see above) 

Add back Amounts allocated to 
equity accounted investments

Net IAS 19 pension deficit

Components of net debt
Cash and cash equivalents

Debt‑related derivative financial 

instrument assets

Loans – non‑current

Loans and overdrafts – current

Net debt

Exchange rates
Year end

£/$

£/€

£/A$

£m

£m

6,054

4,501

516

6,570

£m

2,769

1,053

5,554

£m

2,537

114

53

(4,425)

(3,775)

–

(237)

KPI

(1,542)

(1,422)

2016

1.236

1.172

1.707

2015

1.474

1.357

2.027

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
29

Net pension deficit – bridge (£bn)

4.5

1.1
(0.7)

2015

Add back 2015 allocation1

Impact of sectionalisation

Real discount rate

Actual return on assets

Interest on liabilities

Change in demographic assumptions/experience gains 

5.0
(3.7)

1.1
(0.5)

Deficit funding

Other

Deduct 2016 allocation1

2016

 P155 Note 20 to the Group accounts

Net pension deficit – history

(0.3)
0.1
(0.5)

6.1

Capital
Objectives
Maintain the Group’s investment grade credit rating and ensure 
operating flexibility, whilst:
–  meeting its pension obligations;
–  pursuing organic investment opportunities;
–  paying dividends in line with the Group’s policy of long‑term 
sustainable cover of around two times underlying earnings;
–  making accelerated returns of capital to shareholders when the 
balance sheet allows and when the return from doing so is in 
excess of the Group’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital; and

–  investing in value‑enhancing acquisitions, where market conditions 

are right and where they deliver on the Group’s strategy.

Policies
The Group funds its operations through a mixture of equity funding 
and debt financing, including bank and capital market borrowings.

UK real
discount
rate
(%)

The capital structure of the Group reflects the judgement of the directors 
of an appropriate balance of funding required. Three credit rating 
agencies publish credit ratings for the Group:

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0

-0.5

Rating
Agency
Moody’s Investors Service
Baa2
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services BBB
BBB
Fitch Ratings

Outlook Category
Stable
Stable
Stable

Investment grade
Investment grade
Investment grade

P165
  Note 22 to the Group accounts

Dividends
As part of the Group’s capital allocation policy (see above), the Group 
plans to pay dividends in line with its policy of long‑term sustainable 
cover of around two times underlying earnings.

The Board has recommended a final dividend of 12.7p per share 
making a total of 21.3p per share for the year, an increase of 2% 
over 2015. At this level, the annual dividend is covered 1.9 times. 
Subject to shareholder approval at the 2017 Annual General Meeting, 
the dividend will be paid on 1 June 2017 to holders of ordinary shares 
registered on 21 April 2017. The ex‑dividend date is 20 April 2017.

At 31 December 2016, the Company had retained earnings of 
£1.9bn (2015 £2.0bn), the non‑distributable portion of which is 
£354m (2015 £343m) (see page 180). Total external dividends 
relating to 2016 are £676m (2015 £663m), including the interim 
dividend paid during the year of £273m (2015 £266m) and the 
final dividend proposed of approximately £403m (2015 £397m). 
On an annual basis, the Company receives dividends from its 
subsidiaries to increase further its distributable reserves and, 
accordingly, the Company expects to have sufficient distributable 
reserves to support its dividend policy.

The Group’s dividend policy is underpinned by its viability and going 
concern statements (see page 71).

Net 
pension 
deficit
(£bn)

6

4

2

0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Net pension deficit

UK real discount rate (nominal discount rate net of inflation)

 P155 Note 20 to the Group accounts

Maturity of the Group’s borrowings (£bn)

4.4
4.4
4.4

3.6

3.2

2.8

2.4
2.4

1.8

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

1.2
1.2

0.8
0.8*

*Repayable in 2041 (£320m) and 2044 (£433m).

 P153 Note 18 to the Group accounts

1. Amounts allocated to equity accounted investments.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
30

Financial review 
continued

Treasury
The Group’s treasury activities are overseen by the Treasury Review 
Management Committee (TRMC). Two executive directors are 
members of the TRMC, including the Group Finance Director who 
chairs the Committee. The TRMC also has representatives with legal 
and tax expertise. The Group operates a centralised treasury 
department that is accountable to the TRMC for managing treasury 
activities in accordance with the treasury policies approved by 
the Board.

Objectives/policies
Net debt
Maintain a balance between the continuity, flexibility and cost of debt 
funding through the use of borrowings from a range of markets with 
a range of maturities, currencies and interest rates, reflecting the 
Group’s risk profile.
–  Material borrowings are arranged by the central treasury department 
and funds raised are lent onward to operating subsidiaries as required.

Interest rates
Manage the exposure to interest rate fluctuations on borrowings 
through varying the proportion of fixed rate debt relative to floating 
rate debt with derivative instruments, including interest rate and 
cross‑currency swaps.
–  A minimum of 50% and a maximum of 90% of gross debt is 

maintained at fixed interest rates.

Liquidity
Maintain adequate undrawn committed borrowing facilities.
–  An undrawn committed Revolving Credit Facility of £2bn contracted 
to December 2018 and £1.9bn contracted from December 2018 to 
December 2020 is available to meet expected general corporate 
funding requirements.

Monitor and control counterparty credit risk and credit limit utilisation.
–  The Group adopts a conservative approach to the investment of 
its surplus cash. It is deposited with financial institutions with the 
strongest credit ratings for short periods.

Currency
Reduce the Group’s exposure to transactional volatility in earnings and 
cash flows from movements in foreign currency exchange rates.
–  All material firm transactional exposures are hedged.
–  The Group does not hedge the translation effect of exchange rate 
movements on the income statements or balance sheets of foreign 
subsidiaries and equity accounted investments it regards as long‑term 
investments.

P170
  Note 26 to the Group accounts

Tax strategy
The Group’s tax strategy is to:
–  ensure compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations; and
–  manage the Group’s tax expense in a way that is consistent with its 

values and its legal obligations in all relevant jurisdictions.

The Group promotes collaborative professional working with tax 
authorities in order to build open, transparent and trusted relationships. 
As part of this, the Group engages in open and early dialogue to 
discuss tax planning, strategy, risks and significant transactions, 
and discloses any significant uncertainties in relation to tax matters. 
Queries and information requests by tax authorities are responded to 
in a timely fashion and the Group ensures that tax authorities are kept 
informed about how issues are progressing. The Group seeks to 
resolve issues in real time and before returns are filed where possible. 
Fair, accurate and timely disclosures are made in tax returns, reports 
and documents that the Group files with, or submits to, tax authorities. 
Where disagreements over tax arise, the Group works proactively 
to seek to resolve all issues by agreement (where possible) and reach 
reasonable solutions. In the UK, the Group is subject to an annual 
risk assessment by HM Revenue & Customs and strives to achieve 
as low a risk rating as can be achieved by a group of BAE Systems’ 
size and complexity.

Whilst the Group aims to maximise the tax efficiency of its business 
transactions, it does not use structures in its tax planning that are 
contrary to the intentions of the relevant legislature. The Group 
interprets relevant tax laws in a reasonable way and ensures that 
transactions are structured in a way that is consistent with a relationship 
of co‑operative compliance with tax authorities. It also actively 
considers the implications of any planning for the Group’s wider 
corporate reputation.

The Group is open and transparent with regard to decision‑making, 
governance and tax planning in its business, keeping tax authorities 
informed of who has responsibility, how decisions are reached, how 
the business is structured and where different parts of the business 
are located.

BAE Systems operates internationally and is subject to tax in many 
different jurisdictions. The Group employs professional tax managers 
and takes appropriate advice from reputable professional firms. The 
Group is routinely subject to tax audits and reviews which can take a 
considerable period of time to conclude. Provision is made for known 
issues based on management’s interpretation of country‑specific 
legislation and the likely outcome of negotiations or litigation. The 
assessment and management of tax risks are regularly reviewed by 
the Audit Committee, as is the Group’s tax strategy.

Arm’s‑length principles are applied in the pricing of all intra‑group 
transactions of goods and services in accordance with Organisation for 
Economic Co‑operation and Development guidelines. Where appropriate, 
the Group engages with governments in relation to proposed 
legislation and tax policy. The Group endorses the statement of tax 
principles issued by the Confederation of British Industry in May 2013 
(www.cbi.org.uk/cbi‑prod/assets/File/pdf/statement‑of‑tax‑principles.pdf).

P135
  Note 6 to the Group accounts

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
Guidance for 2017

31
31

Group guidance
For the year ending 31 December 2017, we expect the Group’s underlying earnings per 
share to be 5% to 10% higher than full-year underlying earnings per share in 2016 of 40.3p.*
The guidance is based on the measures used to monitor the underlying financial performance of the Group. Reconciliations 
from these measures to the financial performance measures defined in International Financial Reporting Standards for 2016 
are provided in the Financial review on pages 24 to 30.

Segmental guidance

1  Electronic Systems
–  Mid single‑digit sales growth is expected 
in 2017 driven by a number of electronic 
warfare contracts, with 75% of projected 
sales in the 2016 closing order backlog.
–  Margins1 are expected to be at the top 

end of a 13% to 15% range.

2  Cyber & Intelligence
Comprising the US Intelligence & Security 
sector (71% of Cyber & Intelligence sales 
in 2016) and Applied Intelligence:
–  Low single‑digit sales growth is expected 
in 2017, with stable sales in Intelligence 
& Security and double‑digit growth in 
Applied Intelligence across each of its 
three divisions.

–  Margins1 are expected to improve to 

within a 6% to 8% range, following the 
high level of product development 
investment in the Applied Intelligence 
business over the last two years.

3  Platforms & Services (US)
–  Sales are expected to be stable, with the 
completion of CV90 deliveries to Norway 
being offset by the increasing volumes 
from the US vehicles and munition 
businesses. Of this sales guidance, 75% 
is within the 2016 closing order backlog.
–  Another year of margin1 improvement, to 
a range of 8% to 9%, is expected in 2017, 
absent further charges on the commercial 
shipbuilding contracts.

 4  Platforms & Services (UK)
–  Sales are expected to be 5% lower. On 
Typhoon, European and Saudi deliveries 
are largely complete and this is only partly 
offset by trading on the contracts to Oman 
and Kuwait, along with the increased F‑35 
volumes. Almost 95% of this sales guidance 
is within the 2016 closing order backlog.
–  Margins1 are expected to be at the lower 

end of a 10% to 12% range, having 
absorbed the impact of increased pension 
service costs.

5   Platforms & Services 

(International)

–  Sales growth of around 5% is expected 
in 2017, with increased levels of support 
to the Salam Typhoon aircraft and higher 
delivery volumes from MBDA. Close to 
90% of the sales guidance is within the 
2016 closing order backlog.

–  Margins1 are expected to be at a similar 

level to those in 2016.

6  HQ
–  HQ costs are expected to be similar 

to those in 2016.

–  Underlying finance costs are expected to 
be slightly lower, absent the incremental 
net present value charges seen in 2016.

–  The underlying effective tax rate for 
2017 is expected to increase slightly 
from 21% to around 22%, with the 
final rate dependent on the geographical 
mix of profits.

*Assuming a US$1.25 to sterling exchange rate.

1. Underlying EBITA as a percentage of sales.

P06–07
   Alternative performance measure definitions

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
32

Segmental 
performance

We report our performance through 
five principal reporting segments.

Electronic Systems

P34

Cyber & Intelligence

P38

Platforms & Services 
(US)
P42

Platforms & Services 
(UK)
P46

Platforms & Services 
(International)

P50

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33

Order
backlog2
£bn

Employees2
Number

5.2

2.4

4.6

17.8

13.1

–

(1.1)

42.0

13,800

11,800

11,300

30,100

13,700

2,400

83,100

Financial performance measures as defined by the Group 

KPI

KPI

Electronic Systems

Cyber & Intelligence

Platforms & Services (US) 

Platforms & Services (UK)

Platforms & Services (International)

HQ1

Deduct Intra-group

Total

Sales
£m

3,282

1,778

2,874

7,806

3,943

233

(896)

19,020

Underlying
EBITA
£m

Return
on sales
%

494

90

211

810

400

(100)

15.1

5.1

7.3

10.4

10.1

KPI

Operating 
business 
cash flow
£m

469

83

58

199

435

(240)

KPI

Order
intake2
£m

3,322

1,885

3,308

8,024

6,175

226

(497)

1,905

10.0

1,004

22,443

We use these measures to monitor the underlying financial performance of the Group’s reporting segments.

Financial performance measures defined in IFRS3 

Electronic Systems

Cyber & Intelligence

Platforms & Services (US) 

Platforms & Services (UK)

Platforms & Services (International)

HQ1

Deduct Intra-group

Deduct Taxation4

Total

Revenue
£m

Operating  
profit/(loss)
£m

Return
on revenue
%

3,282

1,778

2,783

7,699

3,037

–

(789)

474

59

182

780

365

(118)

14.4

3.3

6.5

10.1

12.0

17,790

1,742

9.8

Net cash  
flow from  
operating 
activities
£m

568

106

129

385

473

(245)

(187)

1,229

Reconciliations from the financial performance measures as defined by the Group to these 
measures are provided in the Financial review on pages 24 to 30.

Reconciliations by reporting segment for revenue and operating profit are included in note 1 to 
the Group accounts (see page 128) and for net cash flow from operating activities in note 23 
to the Group accounts (see page 167).

1. HQ comprises the Group’s head office activities, together with a 49% interest in Air Astana.
2. Including share of equity accounted investments.
3. International Financial Reporting Standards.
4. Taxation is managed on a Group basis.

P06–07
   Alternative performance measure definitions

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
34

Segmental performance
Electronic Systems

Electronic Systems, with 13,800 employees1, comprises the 
US and UK‑based electronics activities, including electronic 
warfare systems, electro‑optical sensors, military and 
commercial digital engine and flight controls, next‑generation 
military communications systems and data links, persistent 
surveillance capabilities, and hybrid electric drive systems.

Electronic Combat includes the Electronic 
Protection, Electronic Warfare and Electronic 
Attack product lines, and provides a depth 
of capability in integrated electromagnetic 
systems for airborne applications, mission 
planning and battle management solutions, 
secure networked communications and 
navigation systems, radio frequency 
communication and data links.

Survivability, Targeting & Sensing exploits 
the electro-optical and infrared spectrum 
to provide leading threat warning and 
infrared countermeasures systems, precision 
guidance and seeker solutions, advanced 
targeting solutions, head-up displays and 
state-of-the-art tactical imaging systems.

Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance 
addresses the market for actionable 
intelligence through innovative technical 
solutions for airborne persistent surveillance, 
identification systems, signals intelligence, 
underwater and surface warfare solutions, 
and space products.

Controls & Avionics addresses the military 
and commercial aircraft electronics markets, 
including fly-by-wire flight controls, full 
authority digital engine controls, flight deck 
systems, cabin management systems and 
mission computers.

Power & Propulsion Solutions delivers 
electric propulsion and power management 
performance, with innovative products 
and solutions that advance vehicle mobility, 
efficiency and capability in the transit, 
military, marine and rail markets.

Our strategy in action
Continue to grow our electronic 
systems business
Increasing production of 
electronic warfare systems
In September, we delivered the 
250th electronic warfare suite for 
the F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft 
programme, the world’s largest 
defence programme. The advanced 
technology helps pilots to identify, 
monitor, analyse and respond to 
potential threats.

Driven by growth in our electronic 
warfare programmes, the business is 
making an investment of more than 
$100m (£81m) in our ‘Ramp 2 Rate’ 
initiative to improve our efficiency 
and capacity in defence electronics 
production over the next decade. This 
investment includes the construction 
of an Electronic Warfare Integrated 
Manufacturing Centre, modernised 
with advanced manufacturing 
capabilities in robotics and automation.

1. Including share of equity accounted investments.
2. International Financial Reporting Standards.
3. Re-presented for the transfer of the GEOINT-ISR (Geospatial Intelligence – Intelligence, Surveillance 

and Reconnaissance) business from Cyber & Intelligence to Electronic Systems.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201635

Operational and strategic highlights
– Delivered the 250th electronic warfare suite for the F-35 Lightning II 

combat aircraft programme

– Initiated our ‘Ramp 2 Rate’ capital investment strategy to support 

growth in defence electronics production

– Awarded a $146m (£118m) engineering and manufacturing 

development contract for the US Air Force’s Eagle Passive Active 
Warning Survivability System

– Signed a three-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract 
for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS™) Full-Rate 
Production Lots 5 to 7, worth up to $600m (£486m)

– Awarded a $249m (£201m) contract modification on the Common 

Missile Warning System programme

– Awarded a contract on the US Army’s Family of Weapon Sights – 

Crew Served programme worth up to $384m (£311m)

– Integration of the GEOINT-ISR business transferred from Cyber 

& Intelligence completed

Financial performance
Financial performance measures  
as defined by the Group

Financial performance  
measures defined in IFRS2

Sales

Underlying EBITA

Return on sales

Operating business 

cash flow

Order intake1

Order backlog1

KPI

KPI

KPI

KPI

2016

20153

£3,282m £2,922m

Revenue

£494m

15.1%

£437m

Operating profit

15.0%

Return on revenue

Cash flow from 

2016

20153

£3,282m £2,922m

£474m

14.4%

£419m

14.3%

£469m

£370m

operating activities

£568m

£445m

£3,322m £2,799m

£5.2bn

£4.4bn

–  Sales compared with 2015 were almost unchanged at $4.4bn (£3.3bn). The commercial 
areas of the business now amount to 24%, having seen sales growth in the year of 
11% primarily in HybriDrive® systems. On the defence side, sales were slightly down 
on timing of production deliveries on the Digital Electronic Warfare System and other 
electronic warfare programmes.

–  The return on sales achieved of 15.1% (2015 15.0%) was largely from continued 

strong programme execution and risk retirement.

–  Cash conversion of underlying EBITA for the year was at 97%, excluding pension 

deficit funding.

–  Order backlog1 was sustained at $6.5bn (£5.2bn) benefiting from awards for 

F-35 Lightning II electronic warfare systems, the F-15 Eagle Passive Active Warning 
Survivability System programme and APKWS™.

Sales by domain (%)

Land

17%

Maritime

2%

Air

 81%

Sales by line of business (%)

Controls & Avionics/
Power & Propulsion
Solutions

27%

Electronic
Combat

 32%

Intelligence, 
Surveillance 
& Reconnaissance

21%

Survivability,
Targeting & Sensing

20%

Sales analysis:  
Defence and commercial (%)

Commercial

24%

Defence

 76%

P06–07
   Alternative performance measure definitions

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
36

Segmental performance 
Electronic Systems

Survivability, Targeting & Sensing
Our Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System 
(APKWS™) laser-guided rocket is experiencing 
growing demand, with deliveries exceeding 
8,000 units through 2016. In addition to 
expanding its use in the US military, the 
system is generating strong international 
attention, with 16 nations expressing 
interest. In October, the US Navy awarded 
us a three-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite 
Quantity contract for Full-Rate Production 
Lots 5 to 7 worth up to $600m (£486m) 
that could increase production to 10,000 
units per year.

We continue to perform well on the Terminal 
High-Altitude Area Defence programme, 
delivering over 90 seekers in 2016 following 
the $80m (£65m) contract received for Lots 7 
and 8 during the year.

On the Common Missile Warning System 
programme, the business was awarded a 
$249m (£201m) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite 
Quantity contract modification to fulfil 
increased demand from our customers, the 
US Army and allied nations, extending the 
current five-year contract by two years.

Our strategy in action
Continue to grow our electronic 
systems business

Growing demand 
for APKWS™ 
laser‑guided 
rockets

Operational performance
Electronic Combat
BAE Systems has sustained its leadership 
position in the US electronic warfare and 
communications and navigation markets. 
Production is ramping up across a 
number of programmes. Low-Rate Initial 
Production hardware deliveries on the F-35 
Lightning II programme continue with Lot 9 
and 10 deliveries. We have received initial 
funding for Lot 11 with deliveries expected 
to commence in 2018.

The business is under contracts, from 
Boeing and Warner Robins Air Logistics 
Complex, totalling more than $1.0bn (£0.8bn) 
to install the Digital Electronic Warfare System 
on 84 new F-15 aircraft, upgrade 70 existing 
F-15 aircraft, and provide spare units and 
modules for an international customer. The 
programme remains on schedule. 

In 2015, we were selected by Boeing to 
develop and manufacture the next-generation 
digital electronic warfare system for the 
US Air Force’s Eagle Passive Active Warning 
Survivability System programme to upgrade 
up to 400 F-15 aircraft. In 2016, we received 
the engineering and manufacturing 
development contract, worth $146m (£118m), 
as a follow-on to the technology maturation 
and risk reduction phase. The programme 
could be worth more than $1.0bn (£0.8bn) 
over its life. 

In January 2017, BAE Systems was awarded 
a $67m (£54m) modification to exercise the 
option on a previously awarded contract for 
an electronic warfare system for the US Air 
Force Special Operations Command’s fleet 
of C-130J aircraft. The award is currently 
under protest with the Government 
Accountability Office.

Due to the sensitive nature of electronic 
combat systems and technology, many of 
our programmes are classified. As a world 
leader in electronic warfare, communications 
and navigation solutions, the business 
continues to experience growth in these 
increasingly important areas.

On the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle III 
and Family of Weapon Sights – Individual 
programme, we completed the first round 
of qualification and reliability testing in 
September under a five-year, $434m 
(£351m) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite 
Quantity contract.

On the US Army’s Family of Weapon Sights – 
Crew Served programme, we were awarded 
a seven-year contract with a potential value 
of up to $384m (£311m) in September. The 
sight is designed to allow soldiers to acquire 
and engage targets at extended range.

We continue to leverage our technology and 
engineering capabilities, and the LiteHUD® 
head-up display has been selected by critical 
launch customers for integration on multiple 
platforms. 

The next-generation Striker® II helmet-mounted 
display has completed the second phase of 
flight trials to integrate the system’s technology 
with the Typhoon combat aircraft.

Electronic Systems’ Advanced Precision 
Kill Weapon System (APKWS™) supports 
fixed and rotary-wing platforms, and is the 
only US government programme of record 
for 2.75-inch guided rockets. Offering a 
low-cost surgical strike capability, the 
system was successfully used in theatre 
on the US Air Force F-16 and A-10 aircraft, 
as well as the US Marine Corps AV-8B 
Harrier in 2016. We were awarded a 
contract worth up to $600m (£486m) to 
meet the needs of the US Navy, Marine 
Corps, Army and Air Force, and a growing 
number of allied nations.

  More online
  baesystems.com

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
37

FADEC Alliance, a joint venture between 
FADEC International (the Group’s joint venture 
with Safran Electronics & Defense) and 
GE Aviation, is now on contract to provide 
the full authority digital engine controls 
(FADEC) for: the Leap engine on the Airbus 
A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and Comac 
C919; the Passport 20 engine on the 
Bombardier Global 7000/8000; the GE9x 
engine on the Boeing 777X; and a new 
generation of advanced turboprop engines.

We completed qualification of an active 
control side-stick for the Gulfstream G500/
G600 aircraft, with testing nearing completion 
for the Embraer KC-390. The product will be 
the first civil-certified active control side-stick 
with application across both commercial and 
military markets.

On the F-35 Lightning II programme, the 
business completed Low-Rate Initial Production 
Lot 9 deliveries of 57 production shipsets, plus 
spares, of the vehicle management computer 
and active inceptor system equipment. Both 
systems are now in production for Lot 10 and 
we expect to be under contract for Lot 11 
in 2017.

Power & Propulsion Solutions
In 2016, the business delivered more than 
1,000 hybrid-electric propulsion systems 
to transit agencies around the world and, 
in November, achieved the milestone of 
having 7,000 hybrid-electric propulsion 
systems in service.

Cities including London, Paris, Seattle and  
Boston are using our hybrid and electric 
drive systems to save fuel and prevent 
CO2 emissions.

We continued to increase our global presence 
with Solaris Bus & Coach in Poland offering 
our hybrid-electric system on its buses 
from September.

Looking forward
In the US, following the two-year 
Bipartisan Budget Act signed in 
2015, there are signs of a return to 
growth in defence budgets, with 
the new administration expected 
to further increase defence and 
security spending.

Electronic Systems is well positioned 
to address current and evolving 
priority programmes from its 
strong franchise positions in 
electronic warfare, electro-optics 
and Intelligence, Surveillance and 
Reconnaissance. Electronic Systems 
has a long-standing programme of 
research and development, and its 
focus remains on maintaining a 
diverse portfolio of defence and 
commercial products and capabilities 
for US and international customers.

The business expects to benefit 
from its franchise positions, 
particularly on the F-35 Lightning II 
and F-15 upgrade programmes, 
and its ability to apply innovative 
technology solutions that meet 
defence customers’ changing 
requirements. In the commercial 
aviation market, Electronic Systems’ 
technology innovations are enabling 
the business to renew long-standing 
customer positions and to compete 
for and win new business.

Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance 
In 2016, Cyber & Intelligence’s Geospatial 
Intelligence – Intelligence, Surveillance and 
Reconnaissance (GEOINT-ISR) business 
transferred to Electronic Systems and was 
merged with the sector’s existing Intelligence, 
Surveillance & Reconnaissance business. 

Since winning the Geospatial Data Services 
Foundational GEOINT Content Management 
programme in 2014, we have been awarded 
orders valued at $170m (£138m) and the 
business is meeting all delivery orders to 
date. The programme assists US intelligence 
community customers with the development 
of advanced geospatial intelligence data 
collection and processing solutions.

We provide signals intelligence capability 
for the US Army and other US Department 
of Defense customers and have received 
incremental funding for additional production 
and a technical refresh of Tactical Signals 
Intelligence Payloads for the US Army’s 
Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft, bringing 
the total contract value to approximately 
$116m (£94m). 

The business is in Full-Rate Production on the 
US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance 
aircraft programme, providing state-of-the-art 
processing capabilities. We delivered 18 mission 
computer and display systems in 2016, and 
received a $60m (£49m) contract for Full-Rate 
Production Lot 4 in December. 

Controls & Avionics
BAE Systems is a major supplier to Boeing 
for flight controls, and cabin and flight deck 
systems. Development of the integrated flight 
control electronics and remote electronic 
units for Boeing’s next-generation 777X 
aircraft is on schedule, with the Critical Design 
Reviews for all system components complete 
and systems integration testing in progress. 
On the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, flight testing 
of our spoiler controls, flight deck systems 
and utilities is progressing well, with the first 
production hardware delivered in November. 
The Bombardier C Series aircraft entered 
service equipped with BAE Systems’ flight 
control electronics. 

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201638

Segmental performance
Cyber & Intelligence

Cyber & Intelligence, with 11,800 employees1, comprises 
the US‑based Intelligence & Security business and 
UK‑headquartered Applied Intelligence business, and 
covers the Group’s cyber security, secure government, 
and commercial and financial security activities.

Intelligence & Security delivers a broad 
range of services to the US military and 
government.

Global Analysis & Operations provides 
innovative, mission-enabling analytic solutions 
and support to the US government.

Integrated Electronics & Warfare Systems 
provides systems engineering, integration 
and through-life support services for 
US defence and coalition partner customers.

Applied Intelligence provides data 
intelligence solutions which enable 
governments and commercial organisations 
to defend against national-scale threats, 
protect their networks and data against 
sophisticated attacks and operate successfully 
in cyberspace. Its solutions are delivered as 
licensed technologies, software-as-a-service 
subscriptions, through outsourced managed 
services, and via consulting and systems 
integration projects.

IT Solutions delivers operational secure 
solutions that enable US national security 
customers to perform operations and 
protect their data and networks.

Commercial Solutions provides cyber 
defence, counter-fraud and financial 
compliance products to commercial 
organisations globally.

Our strategy in action
Accelerate the growth of our cyber,  
intelligence and security business
Strategic alliances to 
drive cyber growth
We are accelerating the growth of 
our cyber security business through 
the creation of strategic alliances with 
organisations in adjacent markets. 
Our alliance partners include 
telecommunications providers 
Vodafone and Telefonica, and CSC 
in the IT services industry.

We offer our technology, consultancy 
and managed security services to our 
partners and their customers. This 
enables us to monitor their networks for 
attempted data breaches and malware 
to identify and respond to suspicious 
activity, keeping their networks safe.

UK Services delivers cyber security, data 
analytics, and digital transformation 
consulting and systems integration services 
to national security, government and large 
enterprises in the UK.

International Services & Solutions provides 
cyber intelligence and defence solutions to 
international government agencies and 
communications service providers.

1. Including share of equity accounted investments.
2. International Financial Reporting Standards.
3. Re-presented for the transfer of the GEOINT-ISR (Geospatial Intelligence – Intelligence, Surveillance 

and Reconnaissance) business from Cyber & Intelligence to Electronic Systems.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201639

Sales by business (%)

Sales analysis: Intelligence & Security (%)

Sales analysis: Applied Intelligence (%)

Operational and strategic highlights
Intelligence & Security
– Established prime positions under a five-year imagery analysis, training 

and support contract worth an estimated $350m (£283m)

– Awarded a five-year contract valued at up to $368m (£298m) to integrate 

weapon systems aboard US and UK submarines

– Awarded task orders totalling more than $240m (£194m) to provide 

information technology services to the US government

Applied Intelligence
– Second year of expanded investment in product development, and sales 
and marketing driving continued growth in commercial cyber security 
and counter-fraud

– ‘Business Defence’ marketing campaign is generating new leads in the 

commercial business

– Continued shift towards multi-year managed services and subscription-

based, cloud-delivered products in the commercial sector

– Good execution of cyber defence and intelligence programmes for 

UK and international government customers

Financial performance
Financial performance measures  
as defined by the Group

Financial performance  
measures defined in IFRS2

Sales

Underlying EBITA

Return on sales

Operating business 

cash flow

Order intake1

Order backlog1

KPI

KPI

KPI

KPI

2016

20153

£1,778m £1,564m

Revenue

£90m

5.1%

£104m

Operating profit/

6.6%

(loss)

Return on revenue

£83m

£46m

Cash flow from 

2016

20153

£1,778m £1,564m

£59m

3.3%

£(31)m

(2.0)%

£1,885m £1,753m

£2.4bn

£2.2bn

operating activities

£106m

£70m

–  In aggregate, sales were marginally higher at $2.4bn (£1.8bn). The Intelligence & Security 
business saw a 2% increase largely in the area of provision of managed services to the 
intelligence community. Growth in the Applied Intelligence business was at 11%, 
benefiting from increases in the Commercial Solutions and UK Services divisions.

–  The return on sales achieved was 5.1% (2015 6.6%). Higher levels of costs expensed 
in the Applied Intelligence business, together with delays in securing software licence 
sales, meant that there was a loss recorded in the business of £19m. In the year, the 
total cost base of the business (labour and overheads) amounted to more than £480m, 
all of which was expensed through the income statement.

–  There was an operating loss in the prior year due to the impairment of goodwill in 
the Intelligence & Security business reflecting lower business growth assumptions.

–  Cash conversion of underlying EBITA for the year was in excess of 100%, excluding 

pension deficit funding.

–  In aggregate, order backlog1 reduced to $3.0bn (£2.4bn). Order backlog in the 

Intelligence & Security business was 5% lower on trading out of certain longer-term 
contracts. In the Applied Intelligence business, order backlog increased by 9% over 
the year driven mainly by UK government services and commercial awards.

P06–07
   Alternative performance measure definitions

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsAppliedIntelligence29%Intelligence& Security71%IT Solutions25%Global Analysis& Operations17%Government100%Integrated Electronics & Warfare Systems58%International Services& Solutions24%Commercial Solutions32%Government (security)40%UK Services44%Commercial60%BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
  
 
40

Segmental performance 
Cyber & Intelligence

Operational performance
Intelligence & Security
Global Analysis & Operations
In Full-Motion Video and Intelligence, 
Surveillance and Reconnaissance analysis, 
we have more than 500 analysts sustaining 
mission-critical activities globally. These 
security-cleared analysts are currently 
executing on programmes with a combined 
value of more than $400m (£324m). 
Re-compete awards for many of these 
programmes are being awarded under a new 
Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract. 
We have established a prime position on 
two of the three functional areas under this 
contract, worth an estimated $350m (£283m) 
over five years, which could enable us to 
expand our work in motion-imagery analysis, 
analytic training, multi-media support and 
research. Award of a third functional area 
under this contract is expected in 2017. 

We are currently performing under the first 
year of a five-year contract with an estimated 
ceiling value of $75m (£61m) to provide the 
US Army with geospatial intelligence data 
analysis support services and the business 
is fulfilling the third year of a five-year 
contract worth up to $143m (£116m) to 
provide counter-terrorism analysis services 
to the US government.

Integrated Electronics & Warfare Systems
We have been awarded a five-year, sole-source 
contract worth up to $368m (£298m) by the 
US Navy to assist with system integration and 
provide test engineering services and special 
test equipment for weapons systems on board 
US Ohio and UK Vanguard Class submarines.

Other US Navy awards in the year include: 
a five-year contract worth up to $86m 
(£70m) to provide management, engineering, 
maintenance and IT support services for critical 
mission equipment and combat services used 
by Naval Sea Systems Command; a two-year, 
$73m (£59m) contract from the Naval Air 
Warfare Center Aircraft Division to provide 
lifecycle support services for communications 
and electronics equipment and subsystems; 
and a five-year, $52m (£42m) contract to 
provide essential maintenance and testing 
support for various air traffic control and 
landing systems.

Our strategy in action
Accelerate the growth of our cyber,  
intelligence and security business

International 
cyber defence 
partnering

Under a partnership with Fujitsu of Japan, 
our cyber security engineers developed 
a new set of tools to enable and improve 
Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) sharing 
across national and organisational 
boundaries. This is one of the first times 
actual fused intelligence has been shared 
between international companies. Our 
unique approach supports the introduction 
of machine learning techniques enabling 
the automation of policy enforcement 
to ensure CTI sharing complies with 
requirements related to sensitive 
information. This innovative project has 
resulted in a key cyber defence discriminator 
that we can leverage in pursuit of future 
cyber defence opportunities with the 
US Army and Air Force.

  More online
  baesystems.com

We continued to support the US Navy’s 
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center 
Atlantic, to integrate new C4I (Command, 
Control, Communications, Computers and 
Intelligence) equipment on approximately 
6,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected 
vehicles over a five-year period, with more 
than 2,000 vehicles serviced in 2016.

We were awarded a two-year, $16m (£13m) 
task order by the US Army’s Space and Missile 
Defense Command/Army Strategic Command 
to continue the development of specialised 
cyber vulnerability assessment tools to harden 
and protect space assets. We also secured 
a two-year, $13m (£11m) task order to build 
a Cyber Warrior Training Capability in support 
of the Missile Defense Agency.

Under the US Air Force’s Intercontinental 
Ballistic Missile Integration Support Contractor 
programme, we were awarded more than 
$190m (£154m) in additional engineering 
scope change proposals in 2016, which has 
resulted in the total contract lifecycle value 
reaching nearly $900m (£728m) since we 
began managing the programme in 2013.

IT Solutions
We are executing the first of several task 
orders to provide IT services to high-priority 
US government agencies under a ten-year, 
single-award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite 
Quantity contract awarded in 2015 with a 
potential value of more than $1.0bn (£0.8bn), 
under which task orders totalling approximately 
$240m (£194m) have been awarded to date. 

Under the Enhanced Solutions for the 
Information Technology Enterprise (e-SITE) 
Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract 
for the Defense Intelligence Agency, we were 
awarded a five-year, $58m (£47m) re-compete 
task order to continue designing, developing, 
engineering, installing and sustaining 
information technology resources.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory 
awarded the business a five-year contract 
worth up to $49m (£40m) to develop, deploy 
and maintain cross-domain solutions for 
safeguarding the sharing of sensitive 
information between government networks.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
41

Looking forward
Intelligence & Security 
Following a period of market 
contraction in the US government 
services sector, the Group believes 
the outlook is now stable with 
market conditions remaining 
highly competitive.

The Intelligence & Security business 
has continued to reduce costs to 
address government budget 
pressures, whilst pursuing growth 
opportunities, particularly in critical, 
mission-focused areas.

Applied Intelligence 
Investment continues in product 
development, sales and marketing, 
and building cyber and engineering 
capabilities in the UK and 
international markets.

The business continues to migrate 
towards a multi-year managed 
service and subscription-based 
model, providing enhanced 
predictability of revenues, and 
growing further the order backlog 
and pipeline of opportunities from 
commercial and government 
customers in North America, Europe, 
Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

Applied Intelligence
The business has continued to invest in 
commercial cyber security and counter-fraud 
product development, and sales and marketing 
to drive revenue growth. A ‘Business Defence’ 
marketing campaign, launched initially in the 
US, is generating new leads in the commercial 
business. We have continued to build our 
cyber skills and engineering capabilities 
internationally. During the year, we opened 
a ‘Nerve Centre’ in Malaysia, a state-of-the-art 
facility that supports our global cyber security, 
anti-financial crime and threat intelligence 
capabilities.

Commercial Solutions
The business continues to shift towards 
more multi-year managed services and 
subscription-based, cloud-delivered products. 
During the year, an enhanced Managed 
Security Services offering to enterprise-class 
customers was launched in the US, building 
on the success of our existing mid-market 
offering. We have seen growth in managed 
security services through partnerships with 
regional communications service providers 
in the UK and North America.

The business continues to sell licensed 
‘on premise’ software products, with awards 
in the year including a pilot with a major UK 
financial institution for the CyberReveal™ 
threat analytics solution, which defends 
large enterprises against sophisticated 
cyber-attacks.

We have continued to extend our position in 
counter-fraud and financial compliance with 
further sales of multi-year service offerings, 
including a five-year contract to provide a 
customised NetReveal™ counter-fraud analytics 
solution for HM Revenue & Customs in the 
UK and the extension of the managed fraud 
detection service for the Insurance Fraud 
Bureau in the UK to 2020. The business was 
appointed by SWIFT, the world’s leading 
provider of secure financial messaging 
services, to join its new Customer Security 
Intelligence team and has announced an 
Incident Response partnership with Allianz 
Global Corporate & Specialty.

UK Services
The business has maintained its position as 
a key supplier to national security agencies 
in the UK, with a number of new framework 
agreements and contract wins, including 
follow-on work for existing customer 
programmes.

Demand for cyber security services from large 
enterprises has continued, with a two-year 
cyber security support contract in the 
transport sector and the extension of a team 
delivering cyber security advisory services for 
a UK telecommunications operator.

The data and digital transformation business 
continues to grow, with new contracts 
covering a team delivering aspects of IT 
transformational change in HM Revenue 
& Customs to the final quarter of 2017 
and collaboration in the Digital Railway 
programme helping to develop an industry 
architecture and capability development 
framework for the UK rail industry. We have 
won a number of service integration and 
management advisory contracts in central 
government departments.

International Services & Solutions
We have seen continued demand in 
Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East 
for protection against national threats. 
A pilot advanced cyber threat analytics 
and investigation solution on a national 
telecommunications network in Asia was 
successfully implemented during the year 
and there has been growth in business 
with top-tier telecommunications providers 
in Australia. 

The latest release of the IntelligenceReveal™ 
all-source analysis solution, which enables 
customers to view a single, unified intelligence 
picture, has supported the implementation 
of a large programme for a strategic law 
enforcement customer. We have also won 
a contract to build a technology 
demonstrator in the UK that allows users 
to move information between security 
domains without compromising 
confidentiality, integrity or availability.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201642

Segmental performance
Platforms & Services (US)

Platforms & Services (US), with 11,300 employees1, has 
operations in the US, UK and Sweden. It produces combat 
vehicles, weapons and munitions, and delivers services 
and sustainment activities, including ship repair and the 
management of government-owned munitions facilities.

US Combat Vehicles focuses on a portfolio 
of tracked combat vehicles, amphibious 
vehicles, accessories, protection systems 
and tactical support services for the 
US military and international customers.

Weapon Systems and Munition Operations 
focuses on naval weapons, artillery, 
advanced weapons, precision munitions, 
high explosives and propellants for US, 
UK and international customers.

Services include complex munition site 
management for the US Army’s Holston 
and Radford facilities.

US Ship Repair and Modernisation is a 
major provider of non-nuclear ship repair, 
modernisation, overhaul and conversions to 
the US Navy, government and commercial 
maritime customers. It has six operational 
sites in the US on the Atlantic, Gulf of 
Mexico and Pacific coasts, as well as 
in Hawaii.

BAE Systems Hägglunds focuses on the 
tracked vehicle market for Swedish and 
international customers.

FNSS, the Turkish land systems business 
in which BAE Systems holds a 49% 
interest, produces and upgrades tracked 
and wheeled military vehicles for domestic 
and international customers.

Our strategy in action
Continue to win new  
international orders
Expanding our 
international footprint
In 2016, Platforms & Services (US) 
increased its international profile in 
the land domain, with awards for 
M113 vehicle upgrade kits and 
upgraded M109A5+ self-propelled 
howitzers to Brazil; Assault Amphibious 
Vehicles to Japan; BvS10 vehicles to 
Austria; refurbished CV90 vehicles 
for Sweden; and M777 lightweight 
howitzers to India in January 2017.

1. Including share of equity accounted investments.
2. International Financial Reporting Standards.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201643

Sales by domain (%)

Land

56%

Air

2%

Maritime

42%

Sales by line of business (%)

BAE Systems
Hägglunds

10%

FNSS

3%

US Combat
Vehicles

28%

Operational and strategic highlights
– Roll-out of the first prototype Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle 

for the US Army and delivery of the first prototype Amphibious 
Combat Vehicles for the US Marine Corps

– 34 vehicle sets delivered to the US Army under the M109A7 Paladin 

self-propelled howitzer programme

– Commenced production of 30 Assault Amphibious Vehicles for 

Japan under a $160m (£129m) contract

– £183m contract received in July for the gun system on the UK 

Type 26 frigate

– Secured a $542m (£439m) contract to provide 145 M777 

lightweight howitzers to India in January 2017

– Received a $182m (£147m) contract to refurbish and upgrade 

262 CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles for Sweden

– FNSS awarded a contract to supply 260 Anti-Tank Vehicles to the 

Turkish Land Forces worth more than €278m (£237m)

– The arrival of a new dry dock at the San Diego shipyard to expand 

capabilities for servicing US Navy ships

Financial performance
Financial performance measures  
as defined by the Group

Financial performance  
measures defined in IFRS2

2016

2015

£2,874m £2,779m

Revenue

£211m

£177m

Operating profit

7.3%

6.4%

Return on revenue

Cash flow from 

2016

2015

£2,783m £2,678m

£182m

6.5%

£142m

5.3%

US Ship 
Repair and 
Modernisation

31%

Weapon Systems 
and Munition
Operations

28%

£58m

£100m

operating activities

£129m

£144m

Sales

Underlying EBITA

Return on sales

Operating business 

cash flow

Order intake1

Order backlog1

KPI

KPI

KPI

KPI

£3,308m £2,737m

£4.6bn

£3.9bn

Sales analysis: Platforms and services (%)

Services

74%

Platforms

26%

–  Sales in the year declined by 8% to $3.9bn (£2.9bn). The sales reduction in the naval ship 
repair business was less than expected, with stronger volumes through our Norfolk yard.

–  The business has delivered an improved return on sales of 7.3% (2015 6.4%). Whilst 

further charges had to be taken in the year on the commercial shipbuilding programmes, 
these were partly offset by provision releases, primarily on the Radford munitions 
contract. The net impact of these charges and releases was 1.3 percentage points 
on return on sales.

–  Cash conversion of underlying EBITA was impacted by the use of provisions on the 

commercial shipbuilding programmes and of customer advances on the CV90 Norway 
contract, along with the investment, now completed, on the new floating dry dock 
facilities in San Diego.

–  Order backlog1 was almost unchanged at $5.7bn (£4.6bn). The trading out of the 

five-year Multi-Ship, Multi-Option contracts in the ship repair business and on the CV90 
Norway programme were largely offset by multiple domestic and international land 
vehicle awards along with the gun contract for the UK’s Type 26 frigate. The Indian M777 
lightweight howitzer award for $542m (£439m) was not contracted until January 2017.

P06–07
   Alternative performance measure definitions

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
44

Segmental performance 
Platforms & Services (US)

Operational performance
US Combat Vehicles
The business continues to hold a number 
of key franchise programmes, including 
the long-standing Bradley Infantry Fighting 
Vehicle, the M109 family of vehicles, the 
M88 Heavy Recovery Vehicle, the Assault 
Amphibious Vehicle and the more recent 
Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, with future 
prospects including the Amphibious Combat 
Vehicle 1.1 programme.

We have rolled out the first of 29 vehicles 
under the engineering and manufacturing 
development phase of the US Army’s Armored 
Multi-Purpose Vehicle programme. The 
potential contract value for the initial phase of 
the programme is $1.2bn (£1.0bn), including 
options for 289 vehicles in Low-Rate Initial 
Production. Anticipated Full-Rate Production 
is expected to approach 3,000 vehicles.

We continue to execute on the $670m 
(£542m) Low-Rate Initial Production phase of 
the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer 
programme to deliver 66 vehicle sets and 
an additional howitzer. At 31 December, 
34 vehicle sets, together with the additional 
howitzer, had been delivered. The US Army’s 
total acquisition objective through all 
programme phases is for 581 vehicle sets.

The business is executing a $286m (£231m) 
Engineering Change Proposal to address the 
space, weight, power and cooling limitations 
of the Bradley family of vehicles as well as 
preparing the vehicle for communication 
network upgrades. In 2017, the customer’s 
production decision is expected regarding 
the upgrade of approximately 500 vehicles 
over a three-year period from 2019. 

In April, we received a contract valued at 
$110m (£89m) from the US Army to convert 
36 M88A1 recovery vehicles to the M88A2 
Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility 
Lift Evacuation Systems (HERCULES) 
configuration. Deliveries are scheduled to 
begin in November 2017. 

Along with industry partner Iveco Defence, 
BAE Systems has begun deliveries of the 
first of 16 Amphibious Combat Vehicle 1.1 
prototypes under a $104m (£84m) contract 
for the engineering and manufacturing 
development phase of the programme. 
Testing by the US Marine Corps will start in 
the first half of 2017 and final down-selection 
to a single manufacturer is expected in 2018. 

Leveraging our expertise in amphibious 
capabilities, we were awarded contracts 
totalling $160m (£129m) for the production 
of 30 new Assault Amphibious Vehicles 
(AAV) and the upgrade of two AAV for the 
Japanese Ministry of Defence. 

Our strategy in action
Leverage our technology  
and engineering capabilities

Next-generation 
Bradley focuses 
on the future

  More online
  baesystems.com

In April, we received a contract valued at 
$50m (£40m) to deliver 236 M113 upgrade 
kits and technical support for the Brazilian 
Army, with contract deliveries scheduled to 
complete in 2018. In September, the Brazilian 
government awarded the business a $54m 
(£44m) contract to provide 32 upgraded 
M109A5+ self-propelled howitzers.

Weapon Systems and Munition Operations
BAE Systems remains a leading provider of 
gun systems and precision strike capabilities, 
and continues work with the US Navy on the 
development of the Hyper Velocity Projectile 
and the Electromagnetic Railgun.

In April, we received multiple awards from 
the US Navy, including a $38m (£31m) 
contract modification to provide additional 
missile canisters for the Mk 41 Vertical 
Launching System and a $72m (£58m) 
contract to produce and deliver propulsor 
systems for Block IV Virginia Class submarines.

In August, the US Navy exercised a $50m 
(£40m) contract option to upgrade four 
additional Mk 45 gun systems, bringing the 
total value of the contract to $130m (£105m) 
for ten systems.

In July, we received a £183m contract from the 
UK Ministry of Defence to provide the gun 
system known as the Maritime Indirect Fire 
System for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate. 

In October, BAE Systems unveiled its 
Next-Generation Bradley Infantry Fighting 
Vehicle demonstrator. Internally funded, the 
Bradley demonstrator leverages current and 
new technologies to significantly improve 
mobility, force protection and lethality. 

The vehicle was engineered to adapt 
solutions from other BAE Systems platforms 
to support commonality across the US 
Army’s fleet of combat vehicles. It features 
an upgraded chassis to increase the 
protection of troops, and more space to 
accommodate larger soldiers and electrical 
power for future technology insertion to 
help to ensure that the US Army can 
successfully execute its missions in the 
coming decades.

Deliveries to the Swedish government of the 
24 Archer artillery systems were completed 
in December. In September, the Swedish 
government announced its intent to purchase 
the additional 24 Archer systems originally 
contracted for Norway. 

In February 2017, we completed the 
acquisition of IAP Research, an engineering 
company focused on the development and 
production of electromagnetic launchers, 
power electronics and advanced materials.

In the complex infrastructure operations 
business, we manage the US Army’s Radford 
and Holston munitions facilities. In the year, 
we were awarded $85m (£69m) in contract 
modifications at Holston for waste water 
management, followed by a $146m (£118m) 
contract in October to construct a nitric 
acid recovery facility to increase capacity 
for producing insensitive munitions. In 
September, we received a $69m (£56m) 
contract for continued production of MK 90 
propellant grain.

In November, the US and Indian governments 
signed a Letter of Agreement for the Foreign 
Military Sale of 145 M777 lightweight 
howitzers and, in January 2017, we received 
the $542m (£439m) contract from the US 
government to supply these howitzers to 
the Indian Army. We have selected Mahindra 
& Mahindra as our supplier to establish an 
assembly, integration and test facility in India 
in support of the Indian Prime Minister’s 
‘Make in India’ initiative.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
45

Looking forward
In the US, following the two-year 
Bipartisan Budget Act signed in 
2015, there are signs of a return to 
growth in defence budgets, with 
the new administration expected 
to further increase defence and 
security spending.

The business is underpinned by 
strong positions on key franchise 
programmes. In the land domain, 
this includes the US Army’s Armored 
Multi-Purpose Vehicle, Bradley and 
Paladin programmes and the CV90 
and BvS10 export programmes from 
our BAE Systems Hägglunds business.

FNSS has grown its order book with 
both domestic and international 
orders secured during 2016.

These long-term contracts, our 
strong franchise in tracked vehicles 
and opportunities in international 
markets, position the land business 
for a return to growth in the 
medium term.

In the maritime domain, the Group 
has a strong position on naval gun 
programmes and US Navy ship repair. 
Additional dry dock ship repair 
capacity has been established in 
San Diego to support the US Navy’s 
re-balance to the Asia-Pacific region.

The business continues to pursue a 
range of domestic and international 
opportunities in combat and 
amphibious vehicles, weapons systems 
and maritime support services.

FNSS
FNSS, our land systems joint venture based 
in Turkey, has continued to perform under 
its $524m (£424m) programme to produce 
259 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicles for the 
Royal Malaysian Army.

Production remains on schedule under a 
contract to upgrade M113 tracked armoured 
personnel carriers for the Royal Saudi Land 
Forces and, in 2016, the business received a 
contract to integrate mortar systems.

In support of a customer contract awarded in 
2015 to supply the PARS Wheeled Armoured 
Vehicle, work has begun to deliver 8x8 and 
6x6 vehicles in a number of configurations.

In June, FNSS was awarded a contract 
worth more than €278m (£237m) to supply 
260 Anti-Tank Vehicles to the Turkish Land 
Forces. The scope of the project includes both 
tracked and wheeled vehicles equipped with 
anti-tank guided missile system turrets. 

In December, FNSS signed an €84m (£72m) 
contract with ASELSAN, a Turkish defence 
electronics company, for amphibious tracked 
armoured vehicles for the Turkish Land Forces.

US Ship Repair and Modernisation
We are a leading provider of ship repair and 
modernisation services. In 2016, we secured 
firm orders across our US shipyards totalling 
approximately $1.1bn (£0.9bn) and the 
business remains well positioned to compete 
for future contracts in the maritime domain. 

We continue to adjust our workforce and 
facilities to meet the evolving demand for 
US Navy ship repair. To support the US Navy’s 
re-balance to the Asia-Pacific region, a new 
dry dock arrived in our San Diego shipyard 
in December and became operational in 
February 2017. The USS New Orleans, an 
amphibious dock landing ship, will be the first 
vessel to be serviced in the dry dock under a 
$37m (£30m) contract received in November. 

In commercial shipbuilding, we continued 
to experience challenges in the year, taking 
a $73m (£54m) charge against ongoing 
contracts. Workforce adjustments continue 
as these contracts near completion. Six ships 
have now been accepted by customers, with 
the remaining two ships expected to complete 
in 2017. 

In January 2017, we completed the sale of 
our BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair 
business enabling us to focus on our larger, 
retained shipyards providing strong capabilities 
and support to our key maritime customers, 
including the US Navy.

BAE Systems Hägglunds
Series production continues on the $865m 
(£700m) contract awarded in 2012 for the 
supply of CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles 
to Norway.

In addition to production of CV90 vehicles, 
we have been awarded contracts for 
refurbishment and upgrade. In March, we 
were awarded a contract valued at $182m 
(£147m) to refurbish 262 CV90 vehicles for 
the Swedish Army and, in September and 
October, two contracts from the Danish 
government for sustainment and upgrade 
of its CV90 fleet. In December, the Swedish 
government awarded us a $68m (£55m) 
contract for the integration of Mjölner mortar 
systems on 40 CV90s, and we received a 
contract from the Dutch government for 
testing and verification of Active Protection 
Systems on CV90s.

In June, we were awarded a contract to 
produce 32 BvS10 military vehicles for 
Austria, the fifth nation to acquire the 
all-terrain vehicle.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201646

Segmental performance
Platforms & Services (UK)

Platforms & Services (UK), with 30,100 employees1, 
comprises the Group’s UK-based air, maritime, land 
and shared services activities.

Land (UK) provides combat vehicle 
upgrades and support to the British Army 
and international customers, and designs, 
develops and manufactures a comprehensive 
range of munitions products servicing its 
main customer, the UK Ministry of Defence, 
as well as international customers. The 
business also develops and manufactures 
cased-telescoped weapons through its 
CTA International joint venture.

Military Air & Information includes 
programmes for the production of 
Typhoon combat and Hawk trainer aircraft, 
F-35 Lightning II manufacture and support, 
support and upgrades for Typhoon, Tornado 
and Hawk aircraft, and development of 
next-generation Unmanned Air Systems 
and defence information systems.

Maritime programmes include the 
construction of two Queen Elizabeth 
Class aircraft carriers, five River Class 
Offshore Patrol Vessels and seven Astute 
Class submarines for the Royal Navy, 
the design and production of the 
Dreadnought Class submarine and 
Type 26 frigate, and in-service support, 
including the five-year contract secured 
in 2014 for the delivery of services at 
HM Naval Base, Portsmouth.

Our strategy in action
Continuously improve efficiency  
and competitiveness
UK Typhoon support 
contract
In July, we announced an innovative 
ten-year partnership arrangement, 
expected to be worth at least £2.1bn, 
to support the Royal Air Force’s fleet 
of Typhoon combat aircraft. Working 
closely with the Royal Air Force, we 
aim to substantially reduce current 
support and maintenance cost. Under 
the terms of the arrangement, there 
is potential for a proportion of these 
savings to be reinvested to develop 
new capabilities for the aircraft.

1. Including share of equity accounted investments.
2. International Financial Reporting Standards.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201647

Operational and strategic highlights
– £1.0bn of orders for our workshare on 28 Typhoon aircraft for Kuwait

– Partnership arrangement for support to the UK Typhoon fleet expected 

to be worth at least £2.1bn over a ten-year period

– F-35 Lightning II orders worth £637m, including Lot 10 production and 
construction of engineering and training facilities in the UK, and the UK 
selected as European regional avionics and component repair hub

– £472m extension to the Type 26 frigate demonstration phase contract 

and UK government commitment to manufacture eight ships

– £287m contract awarded for two additional Offshore Patrol Vessels, 

including support services for the five-ship programme

– Reactor core successfully loaded on the fourth Astute Class submarine

– £1.3bn of funding received for Dreadnought Class submarine design, 

initial manufacture, materials and facilities investment

– Down-selected as one of two contenders for the Challenger 2 Life 

Extension Programme

– £445m order on the Munitions Acquisition Supply Solution partnering 

agreement for five years of supply

Financial performance
Financial performance measures  
as defined by the Group

Financial performance  
measures defined in IFRS2

Sales by domain (%)

Land

4%

Air

58%

Maritime

 38%

Sales by line of business (%)

Land (UK)

4%

Military Air
& Information

61%

Sales

Underlying EBITA

Return on sales

Operating business 

cash flow

Order intake1

Order backlog1

KPI

KPI

KPI

KPI

2016

2015

£7,806m £7,405m

Revenue

£810m

10.4%

£721m

Operating profit

9.7%

Return on revenue

Cash flow from 

2016

2015

£7,699m £7,319m

£780m

10.1%

£756m

10.3%

Maritime

 35%

£199m

£220m

operating activities

£385m

£289m

£8,024m £4,944m

£17.8bn

£17.8bn

Sales analysis: Platforms and services (%)

Services

35%

Platforms

65%

–  The year’s sales of £7.8bn were 5% higher than 2015. The increase came from the 

expected ramp up on F-35 Lightning II deliveries and Saudi trainer aircraft. Activity and 
milestone performance on the submarine programmes was ahead of plan. There was 
also a higher level of intercompany activity under the Saudi support contracts which is 
eliminated at the Group level.

–  The return on sales was 10.4% (2015 9.7%).

–  Cash performance was better than expected, with an operating business cash inflow 

of £199m (2015 £220m). Consumption of customer advances occurred on the Omani, 
Saudi and European Typhoon contracts, albeit some early receipts on the Omani 
contract mitigated that to a limited extent.

–  Order backlog1 was stable at £17.8bn (2015 £17.8bn). Sales trading on the Typhoon 
aircraft and aircraft carrier programmes was replaced by the ten-year UK Typhoon 
support award and Kuwait Typhoon subcontract.

P06–07
   Alternative performance measure definitions

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
48

Segmental performance 
Platforms & Services (UK)

Operational performance
Military Air & Information
In the year, 16 Typhoon aircraft were delivered 
from the UK final assembly facility, of which 
11 were delivered to Saudi Arabia. Cumulative 
aircraft deliveries to the UK, Germany, Italy 
and Spain total 232 of the contracted 236 
Tranche 2 aircraft and 33 of the contracted 
88 Tranche 3 aircraft. 

The Oman Typhoon and Hawk aircraft 
programme is on track for commencement 
of deliveries in 2017. 

Orders totalling £1.0bn have been received 
via Eurofighter from our Italian Eurofighter 
partner, Leonardo, for BAE Systems’ share of 
work on the 28 Typhoon aircraft for Kuwait 
covering airframe manufacture, support, 
capability upgrade and Electronically Scanned 
(E-Scan) radar integration work. 

Typhoon’s capabilities continue to be 
enhanced with the ongoing integration 
of the Captor E-Scan radar and the Storm 
Shadow, Meteor and Brimstone 2 missiles 
as part of European capability delivery 
programmes. Development towards the 
Royal Air Force Centurion standard continues, 
which will enable transition of capability from 
Tornado to Typhoon. 

We have continued to support our UK and 
European customers’ Typhoon and Tornado 
aircraft and their operational commitments. 
A ten-year partnership arrangement with 
the Ministry of Defence to support the UK 
Typhoon fleet, expected to be worth at 
least £2.1bn, was signed in July.

On the F-35 Lightning II programme, we 
completed delivery of 55 aft fuselage 
assemblies for the Low-Rate Initial Production 
Lot 9 and 10 contracts. Additional orders 
were received for Lot 10 during the year, 
worth £168m, with full contract award 
expected in 2017 following agreement of 
the front-end contract between Lockheed 
Martin and the US government. The proposal 
for Lot 11 has been submitted to Lockheed 
Martin in advance of negotiations expected 
to complete in 2017. A £118m contract to 
build engineering and training facilities at 
RAF Marham in Norfolk, UK, has been 
secured, with work scheduled to be completed 
in 2018 in readiness for the arrival of the UK’s 
first F-35 Lightning II aircraft. In November, the 
F-35 Joint Programme Office announced that 
it had chosen the UK as a major repair hub for 
the maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade 
of F-35 Lightning II avionics and components, 
during the period 2021 to 2025 on a global 
basis and from 2025 onwards for the 
Europe region.

Support continues to be provided to users 
of Hawk trainer aircraft around the world. 
A long-term support contract for the Royal Air 
Force’s UK fleet of Hawk fast jet trainer aircraft 
was announced in the year and we continue 
to deliver against all contractual milestones. 

In 2016, the Indian Navy and Air Force received 
three and ten Hawk aircraft, respectively, 
completing the delivery of all 57 aircraft built 
under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited 
(HAL). Negotiations continue with HAL for the 
supply of 32 aircraft kit sets which will result 
in aircraft built under licence by HAL for the 
Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

In March, we welcomed the announcement 
by the UK and French governments of a €2bn 
(£1.7bn) programme to build operationally 
representative unmanned combat air system 
demonstrators. This will secure highly-skilled 
engineering jobs and the first phase is 
anticipated to commence in 2018.

The UK technology programme for the air 
sector continues to progress with a successful 
set of demonstrations in 2016 and further 
order intake has been received to develop 
critical systems and capabilities for future 
unmanned systems and other aircraft.

In Turkey, following a pre-contract study phase 
between BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace 
Industries, we have signed a heads of 
agreement to collaborate on the first design 
and development phase of an indigenous 
fifth-generation fighter jet for the Turkish Air 
Force. When on contract, this will have a value 
in excess of £100m.

Our strategy in action
Leverage our technology  
and engineering capabilities

Developing 
unmanned boat 
technology

  More online
  baesystems.com

Maritime
On the aircraft carrier programme, good 
progress has been made on commissioning 
HMS Queen Elizabeth’s key systems and the 
business is working with the Ministry of 
Defence to prepare the support solution 
in advance of her expected arrival at 
HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, in 2017. 
On HMS Prince of Wales, all of the blocks 
are now assembled, with large volume 
installation activities under way. Sea trials 
on the aircraft carriers are expected to 
complete in 2017 and 2019, respectively. 

In preparation for the manufacturing contract 
for the Type 26 frigate, a £472m extension 
to the demonstration phase contract was 
secured in March, covering detailed design 
activities and enabling us to subcontract for 
key equipment with companies throughout 
the supply chain. The engineering design 
programme continues to progress to enable 
commencement of manufacture of the first 
ship in 2017. The programme currently 
employs more than 1,000 staff. 

Under a heads of terms signed in November, 
BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence 
reached agreement in principle on the award 
of a contract reflecting the government’s 
intention to build eight Type 26 frigates on 
the Clyde and a further two River Class 
Offshore Patrol Vessels. The Offshore Patrol 
Vessels were contracted in December for 
£287m, including support services for the 
five-ship programme. 

In 2016, we successfully demonstrated 
unmanned boat technology and a bespoke 
transportable command and control 
system. A modified Pacific Class 950 Rigid 
Inflatable Boat took part in the Royal Navy’s 
Unmanned Warrior naval exercise. This 
system is capable of speeds up to 47 knots 
and would allow longer duration operations 
than manned boats. The multi-role vessel 
could carry out reconnaissance and remote 
surveillance operations while keeping sailors 
out of harm’s way.

The technology will enable end-to-end 
command and control of unmanned vehicles 
and, together with the unmanned boat 
technology, can track, monitor and intercept 
threats as they happen. This supports 
decision-making and helps to keep Royal 
Navy personnel safe during deployment.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
Land (UK)
The business provides ongoing support 
to previously-supplied armoured vehicles 
and bridging systems, with orders of £56m 
received in the year. In the UK, the business 
has been down-selected as one of two 
contenders to deliver the first stage of the 
Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme and, 
in the overseas market, the business secured 
a multi-year contract for support and 
maintenance to the Latvian fleet of Combat 
Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) vehicles 
purchased from the UK Ministry of Defence.

The first 29 of 515 40mm cased-telescopic 
cannons were delivered to the Ministry of 
Defence by CTA International, a 50% joint 
venture between BAE Systems and Nexter.

The business continues to provide UK and 
international customers with a full range of 
light and heavy munitions. We have concluded 
pricing negotiations on our 15-year Munitions 
Acquisition Supply Solution partnering 
agreement with the Ministry of Defence, 
worth £445m.

Progress has been maintained on the 
manufacture of the first three Offshore 
Patrol Vessels, FORTH, MEDWAY and TRENT. 
The programme supports shipbuilding skills 
and provides a bridge for the business 
between the aircraft carrier programme 
and manufacture of the Type 26 frigate. 

Under the Maritime Support Delivery 
Framework contract, in place until March 
2019, we provide services at HM Naval Base, 
Portsmouth, and support to half of the Royal 
Navy’s surface fleet. Achievement of target 
cost remains on track. 

BAE Systems manages the support, 
maintenance and upgrade of the Royal Navy’s 
fleet of Type 45 destroyers.

Progress continues on the £270m Spearfish 
torpedo upgrade demonstration and 
manufacture phases, with the demonstration 
phase currently forecast to complete in 2019.

The first three of seven Astute Class 
submarines are in operational service with 
the Royal Navy, with the reactor core load on 
boat four completed in the second half of the 
year. Further funding of £228m for the sixth 
and seventh boats was received in the year. 
Negotiations for full pricing of the sixth and 
seventh boats have commenced.

The Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems and 
Rolls-Royce have signed a heads of terms to set 
up a Dreadnought Build Alliance documenting 
the UK government and industry’s commitment 
to the delivery of the Dreadnought Class 
submarine programme, the replacement for 
the Royal Navy’s Vanguard Class submarine 
fleet, and setting out an organisational and 
managerial structure and series of commercial 
principles necessary to deliver it.

Functional and spatial design continues to 
advance on the Dreadnought Class submarine. 
During 2016, £1.3bn of funding was received 
for continued design, initial manufacture 
of the first boat, material commitment and 
facilities investment. Preparations for the 
manufacture of Dreadnought include a 
major programme of building works at the 
Barrow site, with contracts in place totalling 
more than £300m. The UK government’s 
commitment to the Dreadnought programme 
was endorsed by Parliament during the year. 

49

Looking forward
Platforms & Services (UK) has 
an order backlog of long-term 
committed programmes and an 
enduring support business. The 
Strategic Defence and Security 
Review announced in November 
2015 provided clarity, continuity 
and stability for the UK contracted 
business and has been consistently 
implemented through long-term 
contract awards and commitments.

In Military Air & Information, sales 
are underpinned by Typhoon and 
F-35 Lightning II aircraft production 
and in-service support. There are 
opportunities to secure further 
Typhoon export sales building on 
the purchase of 28 aircraft by Kuwait.

In Maritime, sales are underpinned 
by the design and subsequent 
manufacture of the Type 26 frigate 
and long-term contracts on 
Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft 
carriers, River Class Offshore Patrol 
Vessels, and Astute and Dreadnought 
Class submarines. The through-life 
support of existing and new 
platforms, together with their 
associated command and combat 
systems, provides a sustainable 
business in technical services and 
mid-life upgrades.

The Land (UK) business is underpinned 
by the 15-year Munitions Acquisition 
Supply Solution partnering 
agreement with the Ministry of 
Defence secured in 2008 and 
continues to pursue upgrade 
programmes with a focus on the 
Challenger 2 main battle tank.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201650

Segmental performance
Platforms & Services (International)

Platforms & Services (International), with 13,700 employees1, 
comprises the Group’s businesses in Saudi Arabia, Australia 
and Oman, together with its 37.5% interest in the pan-European 
MBDA joint venture.

In Saudi Arabia, the business provides 
operational capability support to the 
country’s air and naval forces through 
UK/Saudi government-to-government 
programmes. The Saudi British Defence 
Co-operation Programme and Salam 
Typhoon project provide for multi-year 
contracts between the governments.

In Australia, the business delivers production, 
upgrade and support programmes for 
customers in the defence and commercial 
sectors across the air, maritime and land 
domains. Services contracts include the 
provision of sustainment, training solutions 
and upgrades.

In Oman, the business is developing its 
position building on a long history of 
relationships with the Omani armed 
forces through the provision, support 
and upgrade of defence platforms and 
cyber security services. Business generated 
in Oman is executed through our relevant 
reporting segments.

MBDA is a leading global prime contractor 
of missiles and missile systems across the 
air, maritime and land domains.

Our strategy in action
Drive value and growth from our  
defence platforms and services
Supporting 
industrialisation 
in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently 
set out its Vision 2030 – ambitious 
plans to transform its economy and 
further develop thriving national 
industries. We are committed to 
supporting this agenda.

During 2016, there has been further 
capability and knowledge transfer on 
the Typhoon platform, and planning 
is well advanced for the transfer of 
other capabilities and work into our 
In-Kingdom partner companies. These 
partner companies include providers 
of training, supply chain and IT services, 
as well as an aircraft equipment and 
maintenance supplier and a firm 
specialising in modern electronics 
manufacturing, system integration, 
and repair and maintenance.

1. Including share of equity accounted investments.
2. International Financial Reporting Standards.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201651

Sales by domain (%)

Land

7%

Maritime

13%

Air

80%

Sales by line of business (%)

Saudi Arabia

 67%

MBDA

19%

Australia

14%

Sales analysis: Platforms and services (%)

Services

67%

Platforms

 33%

Operational and strategic highlights
– BAE Systems celebrated 50 years in Saudi Arabia

– 11 Typhoon aircraft delivered on the Salam programme in the year

– Continued provision of support agreed under the Saudi British Defence 
Co-operation Programme to the Royal Saudi Air Force and Royal Saudi 
Naval Forces through to 2021, against which we have booked initial 
order intake in 2016

– BAE Systems Australia selected to provide maintenance, repair, overhaul 
and upgrade to support a range of F-35 Lightning II system components

– Awarded a contract for the Risk Mitigation Activity phase of the Land 

400 vehicle competition in Australia

– Contracts totalling A$430m (£252m) awarded for sustainment and upgrade 
of Anzac Class frigates under the Warship Asset Management Alliance

– UK Ministry of Defence awarded MBDA a contract for additional 

Common Anti-air Modular Missiles

– MBDA signed two significant contracts in Qatar for naval air defence 

and coastal battery defence systems

– MBDA secured weapons package orders with India as part of agreed 

export contracts for Rafale aircraft

Financial performance
Financial performance measures  
as defined by the Group

Financial performance  
measures defined in IFRS2

Sales

Underlying EBITA

Return on sales

Operating business 

cash flow

Order intake1

Order backlog1

KPI

KPI

KPI

KPI

2016

2015

£3,943m £3,742m

Revenue

£400m

10.1%

£335m

Operating profit

9.0%

Return on revenue

Cash flow from 

2016

2015

£3,037m £2,957m

£365m

12.0%

£299m

10.1%

£435m

£164m

operating activities

£473m

£193m

£6,175m £3,046m

£13.1bn

£10.2bn

–  Sales of £3.9bn were 5% up over 2015. The trading increase comes from the higher 
levels of support to the Salam Typhoon aircraft now in service and weapon volumes 
from MBDA.

–  Underlying EBITA of £400m (2015 £335m) has moved the return on sales back above 
10% (2015 9.0%). The 2015 result included charges totalling £53m in respect of the 
impairment and rationalisation taken in the Australian business.

–  Operating business cash flow was strong at £435m (2015 £164m), although 

accelerated receipts from 2017 on Saudi support and the MBDA Qatar programme 
were major factors.

–  Order backlog1 increased to £13.1bn (2015 £10.2bn) as initial order intake was booked 

for the renewal of the five-year support contract in Saudi Arabia.

P06–07
   Alternative performance measure definitions

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
52

Segmental performance 
Platforms & Services (International)

Operational performance
Saudi Arabia
On the Salam Typhoon programme, 68 of 
the contracted 72 aircraft had been delivered 
at 31 December. Typhoon capability expansion 
is progressing to schedule. 

The Typhoon support contracts are operating 
well, meeting all contractual metrics. 

Through the Saudi British Defence Co-operation 
Programme, the business continues to support 
the operational capabilities of the Royal 
Saudi Air Force and Royal Saudi Naval Forces. 
The contract for Hawk aircraft signed in 
2012 continues on schedule, with 14 aircraft 
delivered and accepted at 31 December. 
Manufacturing for the second batch of 
22 aircraft, awarded in 2015, is progressing 
to schedule. Under this contract, we will 
undertake the final assembly of these aircraft 
in Saudi Arabia.

Under the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ 
Minehunter mid-life update programme, 
acceptance of the second ship was completed 
in the second half of the year. Work on the 
third and final ship is progressing to plan, 
with acceptance expected in the second 
half of 2017.

Agreement has been reached with the Saudi 
Arabian government for BAE Systems to 
continue to provide support services to the 
Royal Saudi Air Force and Royal Saudi Naval 
Forces under the Saudi British Defence 
Co-operation Programme for a further five 
years, against which we have booked initial 
order intake in 2016. Discussions with the 
UK government and the Saudi Arabian 
customer are under way to define the details 
of this follow-on contract.

Under the planned reorganisation of our 
portfolio of interests in a number of industrial 
companies in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Wings 
Aviation Academy LLC has acquired a 4.1% 
shareholding in a Group subsidiary, Overhaul 
and Maintenance Company, and is expected 
to acquire a further interest up to a maximum 
of 49%. The reorganisation supports our 
strategy to expand the customer base of 
our In-Kingdom Industrial Participation 
programme, promoting training, development 
and employment opportunities in line with 
Vision 2030. 

The Saudi Arabian In-Kingdom Industrial 
Participation programme continues to make 
progress. During 2016, there has been further 
capability and knowledge transfer on the 
Typhoon platform and planning is well 
advanced for the transfer of other capabilities 
and work into our In-Kingdom partner 
companies. All of these activities are aligned 
with our long-term industrialisation strategy, 
as well as the Saudi Arabian government’s 
National Transformation Plan and Vision 2030.

Our strategy in action
Continue to win new  
international orders

Australian Hawk 
support contract

We provide support to the Royal Australian 
Air Force’s (RAAF) Hawk fleet at its bases 
in Williamtown and Pearce. Working 
alongside the RAAF, we ensure that the 
aircraft are available for training when 
required and have continued to deliver 
significant savings. Since 2013, we have 
achieved all contract key performance 
indicators for deep maintenance of the fleet. 
In 2016, we expanded our long-standing 
relationship with the RAAF to include 
operational maintenance and secured 
an A$200m (£117m) contract, extending 
our support to 2020, and ensuring that 
Australia’s combat pilots continue to 
receive the best training possible.

  More online
  baesystems.com

Australia
The consolidation of operating divisions 
announced in 2015, from three to two, was 
completed during the year.

We have continued to provide in-service 
support to the Navy’s two Landing Helicopter 
Docks under a four-year support contract 
awarded in 2014. Final acceptance of these 
vessels is scheduled in 2017.

The fifth Anzac Class frigate to be modernised 
under the current Anti-Ship Missile Defence 
programme, HMAS Parramatta, has 
completed final sea trials and has been 
accepted into service by the Commonwealth. 
Completion of the upgrade programme is 
expected in 2017.

In April, the Australian government signed 
an agreement for the sustainment and 
upgrade of the Anzac Class frigates under the 
Warship Asset Management Alliance. We are 
a significant participant and the agreement 
underpins our engineering and complex 
project management capabilities. We were 
awarded contracts totalling A$430m (£252m) 
in the year.

In April, the Australian government announced 
that our Type 26 Global Combat Ship had 
been shortlisted as one of three designs for 
its SEA 5000 Future Frigate programme and, 
in August, a contract was signed with the 
Commonwealth to further refine the design 
as part of a competitive evaluation process.

In November, BAE Systems was chosen 
to provide maintenance, repair, overhaul 
and upgrade services to support a range of 
system components on the F-35 Lightning II 
aircraft. Our scope of work involves global 
sustainment services for life support 
components and sustainment services for 
the South Pacific region across avionics and 
digital mission systems and electrical systems 
components. This award follows our 
selection, in 2015, as the Pacific regional 
prime contractor to undertake airframe 
maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade.

In May, the Royal Australian Air Force 
celebrated its Hawk aircraft fleet achieving 
the significant milestone of more than 
100,000 flying hours. We support the fleet 
as the systems integrator, including logistics, 
maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade. 
From July, our scope of work was expanded 
to include operational maintenance, a 
reflection of this successful long-term 
partnering arrangement.

In 2016, the government announced that 
we were one of two tenderers successfully 
down-selected on the Land 400 Phase 2 
Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle programme.

We are engaged in discussions with the 
Australian government regarding the forward 
delivery schedule for the delayed JP 2008 
Phase 3F programme for enhanced satellite 
communications services to the Australian 
Defence Force.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
The UK Ministry of Defence awarded 
MBDA a contract for additional Common 
Anti-air Modular Missiles to support its land 
requirements.

The Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air 
Missile achieved its most significant milestone 
to date during the Farnborough International 
Airshow in 2016 when it was officially 
declared in operational service on Swedish 
Air Force Gripen JAS 39 combat jets. 

Two significant contracts were signed 
with Qatar, including the supply of Aster/
VL Mica air defence systems and the Exocet 
MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missile for the 
Naval surface fleet, as well as a Missile 
Coastal Defence System.

MBDA has secured an aircraft weapons 
package contract from India and continues 
to pursue weapons package orders as part 
of export contracts for Typhoon and other 
aircraft platforms. 

Oman
The Oman Typhoon and Hawk aircraft 
programme, being undertaken by Platforms 
& Services (UK), is on track for commencement 
of aircraft deliveries in 2017. Separately, we 
continue to fulfil our legacy industrial 
participation obligations in Oman through 
delivery of an agreed training and knowledge 
transfer programme.

MBDA
In 2015, the German government announced 
its intention to acquire a ground-based air 
defence system based upon the Medium 
Extended Air Defence System missile defence 
system being developed by MBDA in 
partnership with Lockheed Martin. MBDA 
has now submitted its proposal for the 
development of this system. 

In a significant development for the Aster 
surface-to-air missile family, France and Italy 
have jointly launched development of the 
Aster 30 Block 1 NT (New Technologies) missile 
which will provide enhanced capabilities 
against the ballistic missile threat. 

MBDA is responsible for the delivery of 
the majority of the UK’s complex weapons 
requirements. During the year, a number 
of contracts have been awarded to MBDA, 
including a contract to supply Advanced 
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) for 
F-35 Lightning II aircraft, a development phase 
contract for SPEAR 3 (a multi-purpose stand-off 
strike weapon for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft), 
and a demonstration and manufacture contract 
for the supply of the Sea Ceptor air defence 
weapon system for the Type 26 frigate.

53

Looking forward
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 
following agreement of the budget 
for the next five years of the Saudi 
British Defence Co-operation 
Programme, we expect to sustain 
our long-term presence through 
delivering current programmes, 
further industrialisation and 
developing new business in support 
of the Saudi military forces. We are 
focused on our ongoing commitment 
to support the national objectives of 
local skills and technology, increasing 
employment and developing an 
indigenous defence industry, and will 
structure our business and portfolio 
of interests in Saudi Arabia to meet 
this long-term strategy.

In Australia, the business is now 
structured around long-term 
sustainment and upgrade activities 
and we are progressing further 
opportunities with the Australian 
government to provide leading 
defence build and support capabilities. 

MBDA has a strong order book 
that underpins future growth built 
on the effective partnerships it 
has established with its domestic 
customers and recent export success. 
The business will look to further this 
domestic and export strategy in the 
air, maritime and land domains.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201654

Corporate 
responsibility

Corporate responsibility is a key enabler for our business, 
supporting sustainable long-term performance by 
managing non-financial risks that can impact reputation 
and shareholder value.

We set global corporate responsibility priorities, 
which are enacted at a local level. These are 
incorporated into objectives and programmes 
for diversity and inclusion, business conduct, 
safety, and the environment.

Introduction
Our corporate responsibility programmes 
focus on:

–  developing an inclusive, diverse 

workplace to drive innovation and 
performance (see page 22);

–  instilling responsible behaviour to be 

a trusted partner (see page 55);

–  supporting customer confidence in our 
business by continuously improving 
standards of safety for employees and those 
using our products (see page 56); and

–  proactively managing the environmental 
impacts of our facilities and products 
to improve efficiencies and cost savings 
(see page 57).

Corporate responsibility in action
Continuously improving  
standards of safety
External recognition 
for health and safety 
performance
Naval Ships, part of our UK Maritime 
business, was awarded a Five Star 
Award in Occupational Health and 
Safety following a British Safety 
Council audit in December.

The audit involved an in-depth 
examination of our entire health and 
safety management systems and 
associated arrangements, focusing 
on key aspects of our approach to 
managing occupational health and 
safety. Naval Ships exceeded in four 
out of five of the best practice 
indicators, achieving 94%, which 
is rated as excellent and equates to 
the maximum five star award.

As a Five Star organisation, Naval 
Ships will be eligible to apply for the 
2017 Sword of Honour award, which 
recognises the best of the best in 
health and safety management.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201655

Trust and integrity
We aim to be recognised as a leader in 
business conduct. This helps us to earn 
and maintain stakeholder trust and sustain 
business success.

We continue to build a culture where our 
senior leaders and employees are empowered 
to make the right decisions and to know 
where to go for help. Our Code of Conduct 
sets out clear expectations on ethical conduct 
and we offer training and support to help 
people understand the right thing to do. 

During 2016, we rolled out face-to-face ethics 
training that covered dilemmas based on real 
issues that employees have faced across the 
business. Employees also received additional 
training related to their specific role.

Our Ethics Officers are appointed across 
our business and provide face-to-face advice 
and support on how to understand policies, 
resolve issues and report concerns.

Employees also have access to our 24-hour 
Ethics Helpline to ask for support or report 
concerns anonymously. There were 1,1211 
calls to the Ethics Helpline in 2016, broadly 
consistent with the number of calls in 2015, 
and our anonymity rate compares favourably 
with peer companies. Almost half of the 
ethics contacts received are requests for 
guidance and advice. We encourage 
employees to contact us as early as possible 
when a potential incident can still be 
prevented by timely advice.

All enquiries reported to Ethics Officers 
and via the Ethics Helpline were reviewed 
and reported either to the Ethics Review 
Committee or, in BAE Systems, Inc., to 
the Ethics Review Oversight Committee.

Our governance framework sets out the 
way we do business and covers the products 
we make and export, and our relationships 
with business partners, including advisers 
and suppliers. 

Our Responsible Trading Principles, 
Product Trading Policy and Pursuit of 
Export Opportunities Policy help employees 
to make informed decisions about the 
business opportunities we pursue and require 
evaluation and approval of trading risks. 

Our policies and procedures require that all 
advisers are approved via our due diligence 
process and authorised by an external panel. 
Advisers with whom businesses have an 
ongoing relationship go through this process 
every two years. 

We depend on suppliers to support our 
business and provide innovative and 
cost-effective products. Our relationships 
with suppliers are often long term due to 
the length of our product lifecycles, so we 
aim to build relationships with suppliers who 
share our values and who embrace standards 
of ethical behaviour consistent with our own. 
Our Procurement Policy specifically addresses 
ethical standards in our supply chain. We set 
our expectations for suppliers within our 
contracts and Supplier Principles – Guidance 
for Responsible Business, including standards 
on ethical conduct, health and safety, 
environment, and human rights.

We remain committed to respecting the 
human rights of our employees in the 
workplace and encourage our suppliers 
and business partners to adopt the same 
or similarly high standards of ethical 
behaviour. During 2016, we undertook 
work to understand our human rights 
impacts and this will continue into 2017. 
We have also responded to the UK Modern 
Slavery Act. Our statement can be found 
on baesystems.com.

Enquiries to Ethics Helpline1

1,121
1,148

1,037
1,043
1,024

2016

2015

2014

2013
Anonymity rate
2012

 21% (2015 26%) 

2016 enquiries to Ethics Helpline1

512

1

2

3

4

5

225

180

98
106

1 Guidance and advice

2 Employee relations and conduct

3 Management practices

4 Accounting charges practices

5 Other

Dismissals for reasons relating 
to unethical behaviour1

We continue to work with peers across the 
defence industry to improve ethical standards. 
During 2016, we continued to participate in 
the International Forum on Business Ethical 
Conduct’s Council and worked with the 
Institute of Business Ethics to set up a UK 
Defence Ethics Network.

2016

2015

2013

2012

2011

227

257

265

292
298

2017 priorities
We will continue to build a culture 
of responsible behaviour by engaging 
employees in annual ethics training 
and supporting them in making the 
right decisions. We will also be 
reviewing and refreshing our Code 
of Conduct for launch in 2018.

For further information, see our 
Corporate responsibility summary 
baesystems.com/crsummary

1. See summary of Deloitte LLP assurance on page 57.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201656

Corporate responsibility 
continued

Health and safety
The safety of our employees, and those 
who work on, or visit, our sites, remains a 
priority for the Company. Our safety culture 
and our customers demand extremely high 
standards for all aspects of health and safety. 
Many of our employees operate heavy 
equipment, work at height or do physically-
demanding work in high-risk environments 
and confined spaces. 

We aim to mitigate or manage safety risks 
by finding new ways to enhance safety 
standards, increase awareness and continually 
drive a strong safety culture. Managers across 
our businesses are supported by teams of 
health and safety specialists who provide 
expert advice, training and tools to put our 
safety policies into practice. 

We use the Recordable Accident Rate to 
measure workplace injuries. This metric, 
along with the number of major injuries, is 
used to determine an element of executive 
bonus (see page 87). There was a 21% 
reduction in the Recordable Accident Rate in 
2016, representing an improvement against 
target. In addition, there was a 26% reduction 
in the total number of major injuries recorded 
in the year as we continued to focus on 
reducing risk and embedding safety culture 
to drive improvement.

Corporate responsibility in action
Promoting good mental health 
in the workplace

Employee 
wellness and
wellbeing

  More online
  baesystems.com

We want our employees to be healthy at work 
which depends on good health at home too. 
We operate wellbeing programmes to address 
this, which may include health risk assessments 
and campaigns to encourage employees to 
take responsibility for their health, including 
addressing risk factors for health problems 
such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. 

Our Employee Assistance Programme is a 
confidential service available to employees 
and includes support and advice on 
personal matters.

Recordable Accident Rate 
(per 100,000 employees)1 

2016

2015

580

732

Major injuries recorded1 

2016

2015

39

53

KPI

BONUS

BONUS

2017 priorities
We will continue to: drive towards a 
world-class level of safety performance; 
focus on the management and reduction of 
safety risk; and drive a strong safety culture 
through communication, awareness and 
visible leadership. We will target a 10% 
reduction in the Recordable Accident Rate.

We are committed to reducing the stigma 
of mental ill-health in the workplace and 
we provide a range of support services 
and initiatives. During Mental Health 
Awareness Week in the UK, we raised 
awareness of the help the Group provides 
to employees through the services of 
occupational health, the Employee 
Assistance Programme and flexible 
working policies. In Australia, we support 
the ‘R U OK?’ suicide prevention campaign. 
This year, we held a series of ‘R U OK?’ 
events to encourage our employees to 
regularly reach out to and make time for 
other people. These included breakfasts, 
morning teas and mental health 
information sessions.

BONUS  

 5% of the UK executive directors’ bonuses are based on the achievement of safety KPIs (see page 87).

1. See summary of Deloitte LLP assurance on page 57.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
 
57

Greenhouse gas emissions 
data from 1 November 2015 to 
31 October 2016 (tonnes CO2e)

Combustion of fuel within BAE Systems 
facilities and vehicles (Scope 1)1

2016

2015

579,880
596,515

Electricity and steam purchased for 
BAE Systems use (Scope 2 – location-based)1

2016

2015

571,859
607,876

Business travel in non-BAE Systems 
vehicles (Scope 3)1

2016

2015

146,511
147,809

Total greenhouse gas emissions1

2016

2015

1,298,250
1,352,200

Total greenhouse gas emissions 
per employee2

2016

2015

Methodology

17
18

The greenhouse gas emissions data is reported in line with the 
Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting 
Standard ‘Operational Control’ approach, and emission factors 
for fuels and electricity are taken from the UK government’s 
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), 
published at www.ukconversionfactorscarbonsmart.co.uk/

The CO2e associated with carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous 
oxide is reported. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with 
hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride 
are estimated to be immaterial to total emissions and are, 
therefore, not reported.

The principal record of the Group’s worldwide facilities is its 
legal department’s Global Property Database.

Greenhouse gas emissions are primarily calculated from 
energy consumption records reported via the Group’s global 
environmental database. Where actual usage data is not available 
for facilities and residences within the Global Property Database, 
an estimated consumption is used based on the type of building.

Greenhouse gas emissions related to business travel include air 
travel data for the majority of the global business and rail data 
for business units operating in the UK and US. These data are 
taken from travel suppliers’ procurement records.

Emissions from joint ventures and pension scheme properties 
not occupied by the Group are not included. Where a business 
or facility is acquired during a reporting year, it will be included 
in our reporting in the next full reporting year after the change.

The Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions associated with the 
Greenhouse Gas Protocol ‘market-based’ method have been 
calculated as 638,772 tonnes CO2e. Supplier-specific emission 
factors have been sought for our most significant operating 
regions, but were either deemed of insufficient quality to use 
at present or were unavailable. Therefore, in line with the 
Greenhouse Gas Protocol guidance, this figure has been 
calculated using residual-mix emission factors where available 
for our UK and US operations. In our other significant operating 
regions, residual-mix emission factors are either unavailable or 
within the margin of error of the standard grid average emission 
factor and, therefore, the latter has been used.

Deloitte LLP assurance
Deloitte LLP has provided limited 
assurance on the following 
performance indicators at 
Group level:

Diversity – total employees split 
by gender and age;

Ethics – employee and third-party 
enquiries to Ethics Helpline and 
dismissals for reasons relating to 
unethical behaviour;

Safety – Recordable Accident Rate 
and the number of major injuries 
recorded;

Environment – greenhouse gas 
emissions (total, and Scope 1, 2 
and 3); and

Community – total value of 
Community Investment 
programme donations.

  More online
To see Deloitte LLP’s  
unqualified assurance  
statement visit  
baesystems.com/
deloitteassurancestatement

To see our Basis of  
Reporting 2016 visit  
baesystems.com/2016crdata

Resource efficiency
We are committed to minimising the 
environmental impact of our operations. 

Resource efficiency is an important measure 
of business effectiveness at BAE Systems and 
is embedded within our Environment Policy. 
As a major manufacturer, our operations 
have an impact on the environment – from 
the energy and resources we use to the 
waste that we generate. Minimising this 
impact shrinks our environmental footprint 
and reduces our operating costs. 

Each of our businesses sets annual targets 
to use resources as efficiently as possible 
with a focus on energy, water and waste.

We are improving energy efficiency and 
de-carbonising our energy supply to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions. The nature of 
our business, with large-scale projects and 
fluctuations in orders, makes it challenging 
to set a global emissions reduction goal. 
We set energy targets at business level 
that contribute to an overall reduction. 

The majority of our greenhouse gas emissions 
come from the energy we use across our 
facilities. The Group’s total greenhouse gas 
emissions decreased by 4% in the 12 months 
to 31 October 2016.

We use our engineering expertise to improve 
resource efficiency and make our products 
more sustainable. We work to reduce 
environmental impacts at every stage of 
their lifecycle – from concept, design and 
manufacture through to use and disposal.

2017 priorities
We will continue to drive improvements 
in the management of materials and 
resources across all businesses.

Community investment
Globally, we and our employees, through 
the Community Investment programme, 
contributed more than £11m1 during 2016 
to local, national and international charities 
and not-for-profit organisations. 

1. See summary of Deloitte LLP assurance above.
2. Excluding share of equity accounted investments.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201658

How we 
manage risk

Effective management of risks 
and opportunities is essential 
to the delivery of the Group’s 
strategic objectives and the 
creation of sustainable 
shareholder value.

Board
The Board has overall responsibility for 
determining the nature and extent of the risk 
it is willing to take, and ensuring that risks are 
managed effectively across the Group.

Risk is a regular agenda item at Board meetings 
and the Board reviews risk as part of its annual 
strategy review process. This provides the 
Board with an appreciation of the key risks 
within the business and oversight of how 
they are being managed.

The Board delegates oversight of certain risk 
management activities to the Audit and 
Corporate Responsibility committees as follows:

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee monitors the Group’s 
key risks identified by the risk assessment 
processes and reports its findings to the Board 
twice a year. It is also responsible for reviewing 
in detail the effectiveness of the Group’s 
system of internal control policies, and 
procedures for the identification, assessment 
and reporting of risk.

Corporate Responsibility Committee
The Corporate Responsibility Committee 
monitors the Group’s performance in managing 
the Group’s significant non-financial risks, 
including those arising in respect of business 
conduct, health and safety, and the 
environment. The Committee reports its 
findings to the Board on a regular basis.

Approach
The Group’s Risk Management Policy is 
set out in the Operational Framework, the 
Group’s detailed governance framework.

The Group’s approach to risk management 
is aimed at the early identification of key risks, 
mitigating the effect of those risks before 
they occur and dealing with them effectively 
if they crystallise.

The Group is committed to the protection 
of its assets, which include human resources, 
intellectual and physical property, and 
financial resources, through an effective risk 
management process, underpinned where 
appropriate by insurance.

Reporting within the Group is structured so 
that key issues are escalated through the 
management team and ultimately to the 
Board where appropriate. The underlying 
principles of the Group’s risk management 
processes are that risks are monitored 
continuously, associated action plans reviewed, 
appropriate contingencies provisioned and 
this information reported through established 
management control procedures.

The Board has conducted a review of the 
effectiveness of the Group’s systems of risk 
management and internal control processes, 
including financial, operational and compliance 
controls and risk management systems, in 
accordance with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code. The Company has developed a system 
of internal controls that was in place throughout 
2016 and to the date of this report.

As with any system of internal control, the 
policies and processes that are mandated in 
the Operational Framework are designed to 
manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure 
to achieve business objectives and can only 
provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.

Financial and non-financial risks
Financial risks expose the Group to potential 
costs which are quantifiable on the basis 
that their probability and impact can be 
understood adequately and related to the 
financial statements.

Non-financial risks cannot be assessed readily 
in financial terms and, therefore, cannot be 
reflected reliably in the financial statements.

Process
Businesses
The responsibility for risk identification, 
analysis, evaluation and mitigation rests 
with the line management of the businesses. 
They are also responsible for reporting and 
monitoring key risks in accordance with 
established processes under the Group’s 
Operational Framework.

The Group’s risk management process is set out 
in the Risk Management Policy, a mandated 
policy under the Operational Framework, and, 
in respect of projects, in the Lifecycle 
Management Framework, a core business 
process under the Operational Framework. 
Further guidance is provided by a Risk 
Management Maturity self-assessment tool.

Identified risks are documented in risk 
registers showing: the risks that have been 
identified; characteristics of the risk; the basis 
for determining mitigation strategy; and 
what reviews and monitoring are necessary. 
Each risk is allocated an owner who has 
authority and responsibility for assessing 
and managing it.

Project risks are reported and monitored in 
Group-mandated format Contract Review 
Packs, which are reviewed by management 
at monthly Contract Reviews. The financial 
performance of projects is reported and 
monitored using Contract Status Reports, 
which form part of the Contract Review Pack. 
These include programme margin metrics, 
which are reviewed regularly by the Executive 
Committee and Board. Project margin is 
recognised after making suitable allowances 
for technical and other risks related to 
performance milestones yet to be achieved.

In addition, every six months, the businesses 
complete an Operational Assurance Statement 
(OAS), which is a mandated policy under the 
Operational Framework. The OAS is in two 
parts: a self-assessment of compliance with 
the Operational Framework; and a report 
showing the key financial and non-financial 
risks for the relevant business. Together with 
reviews undertaken by Internal Audit and 
the work of the external auditors, the OAS 
forms the Group’s process for reviewing the 
effectiveness of the system of internal controls.

Executive Committee
The key financial and non-financial risks 
identified by the businesses from the risk 
assessment processes are collated and reviewed 
by the Executive Committee to identify those 
issues where the cumulative risk, or possible 
reputational impacts, could be significant.

Management responsibility for the management 
of the Group’s most significant non-financial 
risks is determined by the Executive Committee. 
The OAS and non-financial risk registers are 
reviewed regularly by the Executive Committee 
to monitor the status and progression of 
mitigation plans, and these key risks are 
reported to the Board on a regular basis.

Principal risks
The Board has carried out a robust assessment 
of the principal risks facing the Company, 
including those that would threaten its 
business model, future performance, solvency 
and liquidity. Such risks have been identified 
as principal based on the likelihood of 
occurrence and the potential impact on the 
Group, and have been identified through the 
application of the policies and processes 
outlined above. These risks, together with 
details of how they are being mitigated and 
managed, are detailed on pages 60 to 63. 

As a result of its assessment of the Group’s 
principal risks, the Board has determined 
that the principal risks are consistent with 
the 2015 Annual Report.  

P60
  Principal risks

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
59

Risk management framework

Board
Overall responsibility for risk management

Monitoring

Audit Committee
Operational Assurance Statement Risk Register 
Non-financial Risk Register

Corporate Responsibility Committee
Non-financial Risk Register 

Monitoring and reporting

Monitoring and reporting

Monitoring and reporting

Executive Committee
Operational Assurance Statement Risk Register 
Non-financial Risk Register

Monitoring and reporting

Businesses

Integrated Business Plan – Core Business Process*
Annual long-term strategy and five-year plan for each business

Operational Assurance Statement – Mandated Policy*
Six-monthly management self-assessment of compliance with the Operational Framework and summary of key risks

Chief Executive’s Business Review – Core Business Process*
Quarterly top-level review of the key operational, financial and non-financial performance issues within the business,  
and significant forthcoming bids and events

Quarterly Business Review – Core Business Process* 
Quarterly management review of the performance of each of the Group’s businesses against their objectives, measures and milestones

Lifecycle Management Contract Review – Core Business Process* 
Monthly management review of project performance and issues to ensure that appropriate decisions and actions are taken

Monitoring and reporting

Business Risk
Risk Management Policy – Mandated Policy*

1. Identification
Financial and non-financial risks 
recorded in risk registers

2. Analysis
Risks analysed for impact and probability  
to determine gross exposure 

4. Mitigation
Risk owners identified and action plans implemented
Robust mitigation strategy subject to regular and rigorous review

3. Evaluation
Risk exposure reviewed 
and risks prioritised

P67
  Operational Framework

*As defined in the Group’s Operational Framework.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
60

Principal 
risks

Risks are identified based on the likelihood of occurrence 
and the potential impact on the Group. The Group’s principal 
risks are identified below, together with a description of how 
we mitigate those risks.

1. Defence spending
The Group is dependent on defence spending.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

Lower defence spending by the 
Group’s major customers could 
have a material adverse effect 
on the Group’s future results 
and financial condition.

In 2016, 91% of the Group’s sales were 
defence-related.

Defence spending by governments can 
fluctuate depending on political considerations, 
budgetary constraints, specific threats and 
movements in the international oil price.

There have been constraints on government 
expenditure in a number of the Group’s 
principal markets, in particular in the US and 
UK. The results of the 2016 elections in the 
US and EU referendum in the UK have led to 
a period of uncertainty.

The business is geographically spread across US, UK and 
international defence markets:
–  In the US, following the two-year Bipartisan Budget 
Act signed in 2015, the defence market outlook is 
improving with encouraging signs of a return to 
growth in defence budgets. 

–  In the UK, the Spending Review in 2015 outlined a 3.1% 
real-term increase to the defence budget by 2020 as part 
of the commitment to spend 2% of Gross Domestic 
Product on defence.

–  In Saudi Arabia, regional tensions continue to dictate that 

defence remains a high priority.

The diverse product and services portfolio is marketed 
across a range of defence markets. BAE Systems benefits 
from a large order backlog, with established positions 
on long-term programmes in the US, UK, Saudi Arabia 
and Australia.

BAE Systems has a growing portfolio of commercial 
businesses, including commercial avionics and the 
commercial areas of the Applied Intelligence business. 
Sales in commercial markets represented 9% of the 
Group’s sales in 2016.

2. Government customers
The Group’s largest customers are governments.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

Deterioration in the Group’s 
principal government relationships 
resulting in the failure to obtain 
contracts or expected funding 
appropriations, adverse changes 
in the terms of its arrangements 
with those customers or their 
agencies, or the termination 
of contracts could have a 
material adverse effect on the 
Group’s future results and 
financial condition.

Government customers have sophisticated procurement 
and security organisations with which the Group can have 
long-standing relationships with well-established and 
understood terms of business.

In the event of a customer terminating a contract for 
convenience, the Group would typically be paid for work 
done and commitments made at the time of termination.

The Group has long-standing relationships 
and security arrangements with a number of 
its government customers, including its three 
largest customers, the governments of the 
US, UK and Saudi Arabia, and their agencies. 
It is important that these relationships and 
arrangements are maintained.

In the defence and security industries, 
governments can typically modify contracts 
for their convenience or terminate them at 
short notice. Long-term US government 
contracts, for example, are funded annually 
and are subject to cancellation if funding 
appropriations for subsequent periods are 
not made. Governments also from time to 
time review their terms of trade and underlying 
policies and seek to impose such new terms 
and policies when entering into new contracts.

The Group’s performance on its contracts 
with some government customers is subject 
to financial audits and other reviews which 
can result in adjustments to prices and costs.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201661

3. International markets
The Group operates in international markets.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

The occurrence of any such events 
could have a material adverse 
effect on the Group’s future results 
and financial condition.

The Group has a balanced portfolio of businesses across 
a number of markets internationally. The Group benefits 
from a large order backlog, with established positions 
on long-term programmes in the US, UK, Saudi Arabia 
and Australia.

The Group’s policy is to hedge all material firm transactional 
currency exchange rate exposures.

The Group’s contracts are often long-term in nature and, 
consequently, it may be able to mitigate these risks over the 
terms of those contracts.

Political risk insurance is held in respect of export contracts 
not structured on a government-to-government basis.

BAE Systems has a well-established legal and regulatory 
compliance structure aimed at ensuring adherence to 
regulatory requirements and identifying restrictions that 
could adversely impact the Group’s activities, including 
export control requirements.

BAE Systems is an international company 
conducting business in a number of regions, 
including the US and the Middle East.

The risks of operating in some countries include: 
political changes impacting the business 
environment; economic downturns, political 
instability and civil disturbances; changes in 
government regulations and administrative 
policies; the imposition of restraints on the 
movement of capital; the introduction of 
burdensome taxes or tariffs; and the inability to 
obtain or maintain the necessary export licences.

The Group is exposed to volatility arising 
from movements in currency exchange rates, 
particularly in respect of the US dollar, euro, 
Saudi riyal and Australian dollar. There has 
been volatility in currency exchange rates in 
the period since the announcement of the 
results of the 2016 elections in the US and 
EU referendum in the UK.

Judicial Review proceedings into the process 
followed by the UK government in granting 
defence export licences to the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia are under way. A judgment is 
expected in the near future, which may impact 
the granting of export licences for the sale of 
arms to the Kingdom. The conclusion of the 
proceedings is awaited.

4. Competition in international markets
The Group’s business is subject to significant competition in international markets.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

The Group’s business plan depends upon its 
ability to win and contract for high-quality new 
programmes, an increasing number of which 
are expected to be in markets outside the US 
and UK.

The Group is dependent upon US and UK 
government support in relation to a number 
of its business opportunities in export markets.

The Group’s business and future 
results may be adversely impacted 
if it is unable to compete 
adequately and obtain new 
business in the markets in which 
it operates.

The Group has an international, multi-market presence, 
a balanced portfolio of businesses, leading capabilities 
and a track record of delivery on its commitments to 
its customers.

The Group continues to invest in research and 
development, and to reduce its cost base and improve 
efficiencies, to remain competitive.

In the UK, export contracts can be structured on a 
government-to-government basis and government support 
can also involve military training, ministerial support for 
promotional activities and financial support through UK 
Export Finance. In the US, most of the Group’s defence 
export sales are delivered through the Foreign Military Sales 
process, under which the importing government contracts 
with the US government.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201662

Principal risks 
continued

5. Laws and regulations
The Group is subject to risk from a failure to comply with laws and regulations.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

The Group operates in a highly-regulated 
environment across many jurisdictions and 
is subject, without limitation, to regulations 
relating to import-export controls, money 
laundering, false accounting, anti-bribery and 
anti-boycott provisions. It is important that the 
Group maintains a culture in which it focuses 
on embedding responsible business behaviours 
and that all employees act in accordance with 
the requirements of the Group’s policies, 
including the Code of Conduct, at all times. 

Export restrictions could become more 
stringent and political factors or changing 
international circumstances could result in 
the Group being unable to obtain or maintain 
necessary export licences.

Failure by the Group, or its sales 
representatives, marketing advisers 
or others acting on its behalf, to 
comply with these regulations 
could result in fines and penalties 
and/or the suspension or debarment 
of the Group from government 
contracts or the suspension of the 
Group’s export privileges, which 
could have a material adverse 
effect on the Group.

Reduced access to export markets 
could have a material adverse 
effect on the Group’s future results 
and financial condition.

BAE Systems has a well-established legal and regulatory 
compliance structure aimed at ensuring adherence to 
regulatory requirements and identifying restrictions that 
could adversely impact the Group’s activities.

Internal and external market risk assessments form an 
important element of ongoing corporate development 
and training processes.

A uniform global policy and process for the appointment 
of advisers engaged in business development is in effect.

The special compliance officer, appointed pursuant to 
commitments concerning ongoing regulatory compliance 
made in the course of the 2011 settlement with the US 
Department of State, concluded his monitorship in May 2014 
and, at the invitation of BAE Systems, agreed to remain in a 
limited capacity for a limited further period of time.

6. Contract risk and execution
The Group has many contracts, including a small number of large contracts and fixed-price contracts.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

In 2016, 49% of the Group’s sales were 
generated by its 15 largest programmes. 
At 31 December 2016, the Group had five 
programmes with order backlog in excess 
of £1bn.

A significant portion of the Group’s revenue 
is derived from fixed-price contracts. Actual 
costs may exceed the projected costs on 
which the fixed prices are agreed and, since 
these contracts can extend over many years, 
it can be difficult to predict the ultimate 
outturn costs.

It is important that the Group maintains a 
culture in which it delivers on its projects 
within tight tolerances of quality, time and 
cost performance in a reliable, predictable 
and repeatable manner.

The inability of the Group to 
deliver on its contractual 
commitments, the loss, expiration, 
suspension, cancellation or 
termination of any one of its large 
contracts or its failure to anticipate 
technical problems or estimate 
accurately and control costs on 
fixed-price contracts could have 
a material adverse effect on the 
Group’s future results and 
financial condition.

Contract-related risks and uncertainties are managed under 
the Group’s mandated Lifecycle Management process.

A new leadership development programme for project 
directors is being deployed across the Group, covering the 
leadership competencies required to manage complex 
projects containing significant levels of risk and uncertainty.

A significant proportion of the Group’s largest contracts are 
with the UK Ministry of Defence. In the UK, development 
programmes are normally contracted with appropriate 
levels of risk being initially held by the customer and 
contract structures are used to mitigate risk on production 
programmes, including where the customer and contractor 
share cost savings and overruns against target prices.

The Group has a well-balanced spread of programmes and 
significant order backlog which provides forward visibility.

The Group has limited exposure to fixed-price design and 
development activity which is in general more risk intensive 
than fixed-price production activity.

Robust bid preparation and approvals processes are well 
established throughout the Group, with decisions required 
to be taken at the appropriate level in line with clear 
delegations of authority.

7. Contract cash profiles
The Group is dependent on the award timing and cash profile of its contracts.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

The Group’s profits and cash flows are 
dependent, to a significant extent, on the 
timing of, or failure to receive, award of 
defence contracts and the profile of cash 
receipts on its contracts.

The Group’s balance sheet continues to be managed 
conservatively in line with its policy to retain an investment 
grade credit rating and to ensure operating flexibility.

The Group monitors a rolling forecast of its liquidity 
requirements to ensure that there is sufficient cash to meet 
its operational needs and maintain adequate headroom.

Amounts receivable under the 
Group’s defence contracts can be 
substantial and, therefore, the timing 
of, or failure to receive, awards and 
associated cash advances and 
milestone payments could materially 
affect the Group’s profits and cash 
flows for the periods affected, 
thereby reducing cash available to 
meet the Group’s cash allocation 
priorities, potentially resulting in the 
need to arrange external funding 
and impacting its investment grade 
credit rating.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201663

8. Pension funding
The Group has an aggregate funding deficit in its defined benefit pension schemes.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

In aggregate, there is an actuarial deficit 
between the value of the projected liabilities 
of the Group’s defined benefit pension 
schemes and the assets they hold.

The deficits may be adversely affected by 
changes in a number of factors, including 
investment returns, long-term interest rate and 
price inflation expectations, and anticipated 
members’ longevity. There has been volatility 
in US and UK bond yields, in particular in the 
period since the announcement of the results 
of the 2016 elections in the US and EU 
referendum in the UK. The reduction in 
discount rates in 2016 has increased the Group’s 
share of the accounting net pension deficit.

Increases in pension scheme 
deficits may require the Group 
to increase the amount of cash 
contributions payable to these 
schemes, thereby reducing cash 
available to meet the Group’s 
other cash allocation priorities.

In the UK, new employees have been offered membership 
of defined contribution rather than defined benefit 
schemes since April 2012 and, in the US, employees have 
not accrued salary-related benefits in defined benefit 
schemes since January 2013.

 In 2014, deficit recovery plans, the longest of which runs 
until 2026, were agreed with the trustees of the Group’s 
UK pension schemes following triennial funding valuations. 
The next UK triennial funding valuations will commence 
in April 2017 and, in conjunction with the trustees of the 
schemes and other stakeholders, the Group will be looking 
at various options with a focus on the longer-term view.

9. Information technology security
The Group could be negatively impacted by information technology security threats.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

The security threats faced by the Group 
include threats to its information technology 
infrastructure, unlawful attempts to gain access 
to its proprietary or classified information and 
the potential for business disruptions associated 
with information technology failures.

Failure to combat these risks 
effectively could negatively impact 
the Group’s reputation among its 
customers and the public, cause 
disruption to its business operations, 
and could result in a negative 
impact on the Group’s future 
results and financial condition.

The Group has a broad range of measures in place, 
including appropriate tools and techniques, to monitor 
and mitigate this risk.

10. People
The Group’s strategy is dependent on its ability to recruit and retain people with appropriate talent and skills.

Description

Impact

Mitigation

Delivery of the Group’s strategy and business 
plan is dependent on its ability to compete to 
recruit and retain people with appropriate 
talent and skills, including those with 
innovative technological capabilities.

The Group’s business plan is targeting an 
increasing level of business in international 
export markets outside the US and UK. It is 
important that the Group recruits and retains 
management with the necessary international 
skills and experience in the relevant jurisdictions.

The loss of key employees or 
inability to attract the appropriate 
people on a timely basis could 
adversely impact its ability to 
deliver its strategy, meet the 
business plan and, accordingly, 
have a negative impact on the 
Group’s future results and 
financial condition.

The Group recognises that its employees are key to 
delivering its strategy and business plan, and focuses on 
developing the existing workforce and hiring talented 
people to meet current and future requirements.

The Group has well-established graduate recruitment and 
apprenticeship programmes and, in order to maximise the 
contribution that its workforce can make to the performance 
of the business, has an effective through-career capability 
development programme.

In order to seek to maximise its talent pool, the Group is 
committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment 
for its employees.

BAE Systems continues to reinforce its ethics programme 
globally, driving the right behaviours by supporting 
employees in making ethical decisions and embedding 
responsible business practices.

Additional risks and uncertainties currently unknown to the Group, or which the Group currently deems immaterial, may also have an adverse 
effect on the business or financial condition of the Group.

Strategic report
The Strategic report was approved by the board of directors on 22 February 2017.

David Parkes
Company Secretary

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201664

Chairman’s  
governance letter

Contents

Chairman’s governance letter 

Governance highlights 

Board governance 

Board of directors 

Board information 

Governance disclosures 

Audit Committee report 

Corporate Responsibility  
Committee report 

Nominations Committee report 

Remuneration Committee report 

64

65

66

68

70

71

72

76

78

79

Dear Shareholders,
During the course of the year, the Financial 
Reporting Council (FRC) published its report 
on Corporate Culture and the Role of Boards. 
The report contained key observations 
about the value of culture in driving the 
right behaviours in the boardroom and at 
all levels in the company. We were pleased 
to see that the report included a case study 
on BAE Systems, illustrating the work we had 
undertaken over a number of years to foster 
high levels of personal trust between trade 
unions and the Company’s senior leadership. 
As part of this year’s Board evaluation, we 
have asked Board members to reflect on the 
questions asked in the FRC’s report concerning 
corporate culture and provide their thoughts 
on what they see within BAE Systems. In 2017, 
we will be using the output from this to guide 
the Board in its further consideration of this 
important governance matter.

We welcomed the FRC’s report and the 
principles of stakeholder engagement, 
directors’ duties and the importance of 
corporate integrity and responsible 
behaviour that it outlined.

Towards the end of 2016, there was another 
important governance publication, with the 
UK government publishing a wide-ranging 
Green Paper on Corporate Governance 
Reform. Both documents quote in full the 
basic duty of a company director as detailed 
in Section 172 of the Companies Act.

In summary, the duty is to promote the 
success of the company and, in doing so, 
have regard to, amongst other matters, the 
long-term consequences of any decisions, the 
interests of employees and other stakeholders, 
and the desirability of maintaining high 
standards of business conduct. As required 
by the Companies Act, this Annual Report 
informs shareholders how the directors have 
performed this duty.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201665

Board evaluation – 
development areas
–  Succession planning – greater Board 

engagement in executive development 
and succession planning, including 
greater visibility of high-potential 
individuals.

–  Board composition – continue the 
non-executive succession planning 
activity with a view to recruiting an 
additional director.

–  Induction process – produce a new 

induction manual for newly-appointed 
directors.

–  Board meetings and papers – review the 
Board’s annual schedule of meetings in 
the interests of efficient use of time, 
travel and Board engagement. Continue 
to improve the balance of detail, overview 
and analysis provided in Board papers.

The evaluation was undertaken by 
Independent Board Evaluation, who have 
no other connection with the Company.

By adopting this approach, and regular 
engagement and involvement with all our 
stakeholders, the Board believes that it is 
best placed to align its policies and practices 
in keeping with the required governance 
standards of the day.

The following report details how the Board 
has applied the UK Corporate Governance 
Code principles in the conduct of our business 
during the year.

Sir Roger Carr Chairman

Governance highlights
– Charles Woodburn recruited during 2016 and the Board has announced 
that he will succeed Ian King as Chief Executive with effect from 1 July 2017

– Elizabeth Corley joined the Board as a non-executive director

– A review of the Directors’ remuneration policy completed by the 

Remuneration Committee – following engagement and discussion with 
the Company’s principal shareholders. The new policy will be put to this 
year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) for approval

– Auditor re-tender initiated by the Audit Committee, which will result 
in new auditors being proposed for appointment at the 2018 AGM

– A new programme of informal meetings created, enabling non-executive 

directors and senior executives below the Board to meet and help 
directors develop their knowledge of the Company’s management 
resources and business issues

– An externally-facilitated Board performance evaluation completed during 

the year and a number of actions agreed based on the findings

In particular, you will find on page 66 an 
outline of our governance structure, including 
how the Board sets the values, behavioural 
expectations, policies and processes that 
guide all that we do in BAE Systems – and 
also how the Board maintains oversight over 
performance and compliance with these 
delegated requirements. As our Chief 
Executive tells all employees, “It’s not just 
about what we do, but how we do it.”.

Achieving high standards of corporate 
governance is an intrinsic part of the Board’s 
agenda and, to that end, we completed a 
wide-ranging externally-facilitated evaluation 
of Board performance during the year. 

The review reported very favourably on 
Board member attitude, engagement and 
contribution, and on the processes, practices 
and principles employed by the Company. 
A summary of the areas for development 
agreed by the Board is shown above. 

We have recently completed the internal 
performance evaluation for 2017, which 
will focus on the areas recommended for 
improvement in 2016 and, as mentioned 
above, any actions necessary in response 
to the FRC’s report on culture.

In parallel with an independent appraisal of 
Board performance, from time to time we 
commission an independent survey of our 
shareholders’ views and perceptions of the 
performance of the Company. This document 
is shared with all Board members as a 
supplement to the updates provided by 
senior executive Board members. In addition, 
as Chairman, I consult with our large 
shareholders to ensure they have a full 
understanding of our strategy and I and 
the Board have received direct feedback on 
their views on the Company, its performance 
and governance.

My contact is supplemented by independent 
meetings held by the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee with specific 
reference to our pay policy and reward 
structures. Of course, as required by the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, shareholders 
have access to the Senior Independent 
Director if there are concerns that cannot 
be resolved through the normal Chairman 
or Chief Executive channels.

As a Board, we are committed to the highest 
standards of behaviour, transparency and 
open discussion, together with diversity of 
opinion, experience, background and gender.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201666

Board governance

Shareholders
Approximately 100,000 individual, corporate and employee shareholders who are invited to meet 
at least annually (in person or by proxy) and exercise their stewardship voting rights on the basis 
of one share/one vote.

Annual General Meeting
Shareholders vote on key governance matters, including the re-election of directors, their remuneration, the 
payment of dividends and the appointment of the auditors.

Shareholder relations
The Chief Executive and Group Finance Director meet the Company’s principal shareholders on a regular basis. 
Separately, the Chairman maintains regular contact with the Company’s principal shareholders on governance 
matters and ensures that all directors are aware of their views.

Board
Currently comprising 11 directors who meet regularly and make decisions on a collective basis. 
The directors have a legal duty to promote the success of the Company.

The Board has adopted a governance structure based on the UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code). 
This is detailed in the Operational Framework (see opposite), which delegates matters to employees in a 
manner that has been designed to provide ongoing oversight of performance and adherence to policies 
and behavioural expectations.

Board composition
The Board consists of executive and independent non-executive directors, plus a non-executive chairman 
who was independent in accordance with the Code on his appointment.

The non-executive directors constructively challenge and help develop proposals on strategy. They also 
scrutinise the performance of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives, and satisfy themselves 
as to the integrity of financial information, and that systems of risk management are robust and defensible. 
In addition, they set the remuneration of the executive directors and oversee board succession planning.

Chairman
Responsible for leading the Board and ensuring that it discharges its duties efficiently.

Chief Executive
Responsible for the implementation and delivery of the strategy agreed by the Board.

Senior Independent Director
Acts as a sounding board for the Chairman and acts as an intermediary for the other directors as necessary.

Company Secretary
Responsible to the Board for ensuring that Board procedures are complied with. Through the Chairman, 
he is responsible for ensuring that directors are supplied with information in a timely manner.

Delegation through committee  
terms of reference

Reporting, as appropriate, to  
the Board on matters considered and agreed

Board committees
The membership of the principal board committees (see below) solely comprises non-executive directors. 
They provide leadership, scrutiny and oversight over key governance areas.

P72

P76

P78

P79

Audit Committee

Corporate 
Responsibility  
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Delegated  
authority
Oversight of 
performance 
and compliance 
with the 
Operational 
Framework

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
67

Operational Framework
The Board has put in place a detailed governance framework, the Operational 
Framework. It sets out how we do business across BAE Systems and encapsulates 
our values, policies and processes, together with clear levels of delegated 
responsibility aimed at ensuring that all of our employees and businesses act 
in a clear, accountable and consistent manner. 

How we work
The processes and policies in the Operational Framework set out the principles of good governance which, together with our 
culture, guide our work and behaviour in support of the strategy set in our Group strategic framework (see page 16). Here we 
set out the values that we ask all our employees to demonstrate in their day-to-day work, wherever they are in the world. We also 
confirm our commitment to Total Performance which defines how we achieve success based on Customer Focus, Programme 
Execution, Financial Performance and Responsible Behaviour.

Organisation
From the Board downwards, we set out how we are organised and the responsibilities of the Board, the Chairman, the Chief 
Executive, the Executive Committee, our Functional Councils (such as Engineering, Human Resources and Procurement) and 
the senior executives charged with running our businesses.

Governance
The UK Corporate Governance Code’s (the Code) principles are embedded in the Operational Framework and its policies and 
processes underpin all the disclosures made by the Board pursuant to Code provisions.

How we conduct our business is fundamental to the success of BAE Systems. The Operational Framework sets out our approach 
and the standards to which we adhere. It includes the following:

Code of Conduct
Sets the standards to which we all work.

Responsible Trading Principles
We do not compromise on the way 
we do business and here we mandate 
a principles-based approach to our 
business activity.

Internal controls
These are the controls that apply to all 
our businesses and provide assurance 
regarding:
–  the reliability and integrity of information;
–  compliance with policies, processes, laws, 

regulations and contracts;

–  the safeguarding of assets and protection 

against fraud; and 

–  the economical and efficient use of 

resources.

Operational Assurance Statement (OAS)
This key governance process requires that 
a return is completed every six months by 
each operational and functional business 
head, reporting their formal view against 
such matters as compliance with law and 
regulation, ethical business conduct, 
financial controls, risk management, 
compliance with business planning 
processes, health and safety, conflicts of 
interest, delegated authorities, appointment 
of advisers and product safety. There is a 
separate OAS process for our joint ventures. 
Our Internal Audit function owns the OAS 
process. It is managed independently from 
management functions with the Internal 
Audit Director being responsible to the 
Audit Committee and reporting directly 
to the Chief Executive.

Risk framework
This is how we identify, analyse, evaluate 
and mitigate risk (see page 58).

Workplace and operational 
environment
This covers how we expect our people 
to be managed and the obligations placed 
on us all concerning avoiding conflicts of 
interest, anti-bribery, and managing the 
security of our people, information and 
other assets.

Delegated authorities
As part of a robust system of internal 
controls, the Board has delegated certain 
authorities to executive management. 
Delegation is subject to financial limits and 
other restrictions, above which matters 
must be referred to the Board.

Core business processes
These core business processes are mandated by the Operational Framework and designed to ensure consistent planning, reporting 
and review of business performance across all businesses:

IBP
(Integrated Business Planning)

LCM
(Lifecycle Management Policy)

M&A
(Mergers & Acquisitions Policy)

TPL
(Total Performance Leadership)

Approved by the Board annually, 
creates a consistent approach 
to strategic planning, aligning 
resources with the delivery of 
forecast financial performance 
and strategic objectives.

How we plan and manage the 
execution of all projects above a 
certain minimum level, providing 
decision gate reviews at key 
stages from initial opportunity 
to final closure.

A structured approach to 
mergers, acquisitions and 
disposals.

A set of people-related 
activities that help to identify, 
select, manage and reward 
leaders, and facilitates 
succession planning.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201668

Board of directors

Chairman

Executive directors

Ian King 
Chief Executive
Appointed to the Board: 2007  Nationality: UK

Skills, competence and experience 
Ian was appointed as Chief Executive in 2008 
having been originally appointed to the Board as 
Chief Operating Officer, UK and Rest of the World. 
He will retire on 30 June 2017. He was previously 
Group Managing Director of the Company’s 
Customer Solutions & Support business and, prior 
to that, Group Strategy and Planning Director. Prior 
to the BAe/MES merger, he was Chief Executive of 
Alenia Marconi Systems, having previously served 
as Finance Director of Marconi Electronic Systems.

Charles Woodburn 
Chief Operating Officer
Appointed to the Board: 2016  Nationality: UK

Skills, competence and experience 
Charles joined BAE Systems in May 2016 as 
Chief Operating Officer. He will succeed Ian King 
as Chief Executive with effect from 1 July 2017. 
Prior to joining the Company, he spent over 20 years 
in the oil and gas industry, holding a number of 
senior management positions in the Far East, Australia, 
Europe and the US. He joined the Company from 
the oilfield services business, Expro Group, where 
he served as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, 
he spent 15 years with Schlumberger Limited.

Other appointments 
Non-executive director of Schroders plc.

Other past appointments 
Non-executive director of Seadrill Limited.

Other past appointments 
Non-executive director and senior independent director 
of Rotork plc.

Committee membership 
Non-Executive Directors’ Fees Committee.

Sir Roger Carr 
Chairman
Appointed to the Board: 2013  Nationality: UK

Skills, competence and experience 
Having joined the Board in 2013, Sir Roger was 
appointed Chairman in 2014. He is an experienced 
company chairman with a wealth of knowledge gained 
across a number of business sectors. He currently 
serves as vice chairman of the BBC Trust, a position 
he has held since March 2015. 
With over two decades of boardroom experience, 
Sir Roger has a deep understanding of corporate 
governance and what is required to lead an 
effective board. 
Prior to joining BAE Systems, Sir Roger was Chairman 
of Centrica plc and Deputy Chairman of the Court of 
the Bank of England. In the past, he has also served 
as chairman of Thames Water plc, Cadbury plc, 
Chubb and Mitchells & Butlers plc. He has been active 
in representing UK business having previously served 
as President of the CBI and as a member of the Prime 
Minister’s Business Advisory Group. He was a member 
of the Higgs Committee on Corporate Governance, 
which assisted in further developing the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

Other appointments 
A senior adviser to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, a fellow 
of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, 
Manufactures and Commerce, an honorary fellow 
of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and 
Administrators, and a visiting fellow to the Saïd 
Business School, Oxford.

Other past appointments 
Chief Executive, Williams plc.

Committee membership 
Chairman of the Nominations Committee and the 
Non-Executive Directors’ Fees Committee.

Jerry DeMuro
President and Chief Executive Officer 
of BAE Systems, Inc.
Appointed to the Board: 2014  Nationality: US

Skills, competence and experience 
Appointed to the Board on 1 February 2014 as President 
and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc., 
Jerry is an experienced US executive who has worked 
in the national security, technology and aerospace 
industry for over 30 years. Most recently, he served as 
executive vice president and corporate vice president 
of General Dynamics’ Information Systems and 
Technology Group. Earlier in his career, he spent 
almost a decade as an acquisition official at the 
US Department of Defense.

Other appointments 
Non-executive director of Aero Communications, Inc.

Committee membership 
Non-Executive Directors’ Fees Committee.

Peter Lynas
Group Finance Director
Appointed to the Board: 2011  Nationality: UK

Skills, competence and experience 
Peter, a qualified accountant, was appointed to the 
Board as Group Finance Director in 2011. He previously 
served for a number of years as Director, Financial 
Control, Reporting & Treasury. He joined GEC-Marconi 
in 1985 having previously worked for other companies 
in the UK and Europe. After progressing through a 
number of positions, he was appointed Finance 
Director of GEC’s Marconi Electronic Systems business, 
which was subsequently acquired by British Aerospace 
in 1999 to become BAE Systems.

Other appointments 
Non-executive director of SSE plc and chairman of 
its audit committee.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201669

Non-executive directors

Elizabeth Corley CBE 
Non-executive director
Appointed to the Board: 2016  Nationality: UK

Harriet Green OBE 
Non-executive director
Appointed to the Board: 2010  Nationality: UK

Chris Grigg 
Non-executive director
Appointed to the Board: 2013  Nationality: UK

Skills, competence and experience 
Elizabeth brings investor, governance and boardroom 
experience to the Board. She is currently non-executive 
vice-chair of Allianz Global Investors, and a 
non-executive director of Pearson plc and the UK 
Financial Reporting Council.
She served as Chief Executive Officer of Allianz Global 
Investors, initially for Europe then globally, from 2005 
to 2016. Prior to that, she worked for Merrill Lynch 
Investment Managers. She is a governor of the 
CFA Institute and a trustee of the British Museum.
Elizabeth is active in representing the investment 
industry and developing standards within it. She 
is a member of the FICC Market Standards Board, 
the European Securities and Markets Authority’s 
stakeholder group and of the advisory council of 
TheCityUK. Elizabeth is also an acclaimed writer 
and member of the Royal Society of Arts.

Other appointments 
Chair of the advisory group to the UK government 
on social impact investing.

Committee membership 
Nominations Committee and Remuneration Committee.

Skills, competence and experience 
Harriet is a transformative business leader with 
international operational and boardroom experience. 
She is currently General Manager of Watson Customer 
Engagement, Watson Internet of Things and Education 
at IBM. 
Harriet has extensive global business leadership 
experience. She previously served as Chief Executive 
Officer and executive director of Thomas Cook plc. 
Prior to that, she was Chief Executive Officer and 
executive director of Premier Farnell plc. Previously, she 
was also a non-executive director of Emerson Electric Co. 
In 2016, she won the Women in Technology Institute 
Award and, in 2014, she received the Veuve Clicquot 
Business Woman Award.

Other appointments 
Member of the British Chambers of Commerce’s 
International Advisory Council.

Other past appointments 
Member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group.

Committee membership 
Corporate Responsibility Committee and Nominations 
Committee.

Skills, competence and experience 
As chief executive of a FTSE 100 company, Chris brings 
management and boardroom experience to the Board. 
He is currently Chief Executive of The British Land 
Company PLC, a position he has held since 2009. 
Chris has more than 30 years’ experience in the 
banking and real estate industries. Prior to joining 
British Land, he was Chief Executive of Barclays 
Commercial Bank. Before that, he was a partner at 
Goldman Sachs.

Other appointments 
Member of the executive board of the European Public 
Real Estate Association and the board of the British 
Property Federation.

Committee membership 
Corporate Responsibility Committee and Nominations 
Committee.

Paula Rosput Reynolds 
Non-executive director
Appointed to the Board: 2011  Nationality: US

Skills, competence and experience 
An experienced company director in both the UK and 
North America, Paula is currently Chief Executive 
Officer and President of the business advisory group 
PreferWest LLC, and a non-executive director of BP p.l.c., 
CBRE Group, Inc. and TransCanada Corporation.
Starting her career as an economist, she spent over 
20 years in the energy sector, culminating in her 
appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer 
of AGL Resources in 2002. She served as President and 
Chief Executive Officer of Safeco Corporation before 
becoming Vice Chairman and Chief Restructuring 
Officer of American International Group, overseeing 
its divestiture of assets and serving as chief liaison 
with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 
She received the National Association of Corporate 
Directors National Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

Other past appointments 
Non-executive director of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., 
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Delta Air Lines Inc., 
Air Products and Chemicals Inc., and Siluria 
Technologies, Inc.

Committee membership 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, and member 
of the Audit Committee and Nominations Committee.

Nick Rose 
Non-executive director and 
Senior Independent Director
Appointed to the Board: 2010  Nationality: UK

Skills, competence and experience 
Nick brings to the Board considerable financial 
expertise and boardroom experience. He is currently 
Chairman of Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC, and a 
non-executive director and senior independent director 
of BT Group plc. 
Nick was Chief Financial Officer of Diageo plc for over 
ten years until 2010. In this role, he was responsible for 
supply, procurement, strategy and IT on a global basis. 
His financial experience was developed during his time 
as group treasurer and group controller at Diageo, and 
also in his earlier career at Ford Finance. He is a former 
Chairman of the engineering technology company 
Edwards Group Limited.

Other appointments 
Adviser to CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC and 
non-executive chairman of Loch Lomond Group.

Other past appointments 
Non-executive director of Moët Hennessy SNC and 
Scottish Power plc.

Committee membership 
Chairman of the Audit Committee, and member of the 
Nominations Committee and Remuneration Committee.

Ian Tyler 
Non-executive director
Appointed to the Board: 2013  Nationality: UK

Skills, competence and experience 
Ian brings considerable financial and long-term 
international contracting experience to the Board. 
He is currently chairman of two UK listed companies, 
Bovis Homes Group PLC and Cairn Energy plc.
Having qualified as a chartered accountant, Ian 
subsequently held a number of senior finance and 
operational positions within industrial companies before 
being appointed Finance Director of Balfour Beatty plc 
in 1996. He was subsequently appointed Chief 
Executive, a position he stepped down from in 2013. 

Other appointments 
Chairman of AWE Management Limited.

Other past appointments 
Non-executive director of Mediclinic International plc, 
Cable & Wireless Communications Plc and VT Group plc.

Committee membership 
Chairman of the Corporate Responsibility Committee, 
and member of the Audit Committee and Nominations 
Committee.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016Committee 
membership

Nationality

Date of 
appointment 
to the Board

Date current 
term ends

Current term 
as director

70

Board information

Membership

Sir Roger Carr 
Chairman

Elizabeth Corley 
Non-executive director

Harriet Green 
Non-executive director

Chris Grigg 
Non-executive director

Paula Rosput Reynolds 
Non-executive director

Nick Rose 
Non-executive director and Senior Independent Director

Ian Tyler 
Non-executive director

N

N   R

C   N

C   N

A   N   R

A   N   R

A   C   N

The average length of appointment of non-executive members of the Board (as at 31 December 2016) was 4.3 years.

Ian King 
Chief Executive

Peter Lynas 
Group Finance Director

Jerry DeMuro 
President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.

Charles Woodburn 
Chief Operating Officer

The average length of appointment of executive members of the Board (as at 31 December 2016) was 4.8 years.

  Chairman

  Non-executive director

  Executive director

  Committee chair
A   Audit Committee 
N   Nominations Committee 

C   Corporate Responsibility Committee
R   Remuneration Committee 

Attendance
Individual directors’ attendance at meetings of the Board and its committees in 2016

Sir Roger Carr

Elizabeth Corley

Jerry DeMuro

Harriet Green

Chris Grigg

Ian King

Peter Lynas

Paula Rosput Reynolds

Nick Rose

Ian Tyler

Charles Woodburn

Board

11/11

11/11

10/11

9/11

11/11

11/11

9/11

9/11

10/11

11/11

5/5

Audit  
Committee

Corporate 
Responsibility 
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5/5

5/5

5/5

–

–

–

–

4/4

3/4

–

–

–

–

4/4

–

3/3

3/3

–

3/3

3/3

–

–

3/3

3/3

3/3

–

–

5/5

–

–

1/1

–

–

6/6

5/6

–

–

20131

2020

Second

2019

2019

2019

2017

2019

2019

First

Third

Second

Second2

Third

Second

2016

2010

2013

2011

2010

2013

2007

2011

2014

2016

Diversity – Board

Female
3

Male
 8

Tenure – independent 
non‑executive directors

Over 
six years
2

Up to 
three years
1

1. Sir Roger Carr joined the Board in October 2013 and was appointed as Chairman in February 2014.
2. It has been agreed that Paula Rosput Reynolds will serve a third term with effect from 1 April 2017.

Over three and
up to six years
3

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
Governance disclosures

71

UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the Code) Compliance
The Company was compliant with the 
provisions of the Code throughout 2016 
and the Board has applied its principles in 
its governance structure and operations. 
The following statements are made in 
compliance with the Code.

Risk management and internal 
control statement
The Board is responsible for the Company’s 
risk management and internal control systems. 
It has delegated responsibility for reviewing in 
detail the effectiveness of these systems to the 
Audit Committee, which reports to the Board 
on its findings so that all directors can take a 
view on the matter. 

An overview of the processes used to identify, 
evaluate and manage the principal risks can be 
found on pages 58 and 59. These processes 
are an integral part of our governance 
framework, the Operational Framework, 
details of which can be found on page 67. 
The Operational Framework mandates the 
Operational Assurance Statement process, 
which is owned by the Company’s Internal 
Audit function and is one of the principal 
processes used by the Board in monitoring the 
effectiveness of control systems.

The risk management and internal control 
systems detailed in the Operational Framework 
were in place throughout the year and the 
Board, having reviewed their effectiveness, 
believes they accord with the Financial 
Reporting Council’s Guidance on Risk 
Management, Internal Control and Related 
Financial and Business Reporting.

Viability statement
As required by the provisions of the Code, the 
Board has undertaken an assessment of the 
future prospects of the Company taking into 
account the Company’s current position and 
principal risks. This assessment was informed 
by the following business processes: 

Risk management process
The Company has developed a structured 
approach to the management of risk 
(see above) and the principal risks identified 
are considered as part of the Board’s annual 
review of the Integrated Business Plan. 

Integrated Business Plan (IBP) 
The IBP represents a common process with 
standard outputs and requirements that 
produces an integrated strategic and business 
plan for the Group and also for each of its 
businesses over the following five years. 
The use of a five-year period provides a 
robust planning tool against which long-term 
decisions can be made concerning, amongst 
other things, strategic priorities, funding 
requirements (including commitments to 
Group pension schemes), returns made to 
shareholders, capital expenditure and resource 
planning. Longer-term strategic inputs also 
form part of the IBP process and, where 
activity is required to meet such long-term 
priorities, this is provided for in the plan. 

The detailed plan is reviewed each year 
by the Board as part of its strategy review 
process. Once approved by the Board, the 
IBP provides the basis for setting all detailed 
financial budgets and strategic actions across 
the businesses, and is subsequently used 
by the Board to monitor performance. 

Liquidity analysis
The Board regularly reviews an analysis based 
on the financial output from the IBP, looking 
at the forecast working capital requirements, 
cash flow, and committed borrowing and 
other funding facilities available to the 
Company over the five-year period covered 
by the IBP. This analysis includes ‘stress testing’ 
of the Company’s liquidity under severe, but 
plausible, scenarios as developed from the IBP, 
including the impact of changes to the terms 
of trade it enjoys with different customers 
and its funding commitments to Group 
pension schemes. 

In undertaking its review of the IBP in 2016, 
the Board considered the prospects of the 
Company over the five-year period covered 
by the process. On the basis of this and other 
matters considered and reviewed by the Board 
during the year, the Board has reasonable 
expectations that the Company will be able 
to continue in operation and meet its liabilities 
as they fall due over the following five years. 
It is recognised that such future assessments 
are subject to a level of uncertainty that 
increases with time and, therefore, future 
outcomes cannot be guaranteed or predicted 
with certainty. Also, this assessment was made 
recognising the principal risks that could have 
an impact on the future performance of the 
Company (see pages 60 to 63).

Going concern statement
Accounting standards require that directors 
satisfy themselves that it is reasonable for 
them to conclude whether it is appropriate 
to prepare financial statements on a going 
concern basis and the Code requires that, if 
appropriate, this report includes a statement 
to that effect. Following review, the directors 
have concluded that it is appropriate to 
adopt the going concern basis for these 
financial statements and have not identified 
any material uncertainties concerning the 
Company’s ability to do so in the 12-month 
period from the date of approving them. 
For this reason, they continue to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

Directors
In compliance with the Code, all directors are 
subject to annual election by shareholders. 
The Chairman has confirmed that, based on 
the formal performance evaluations undertaken 
in 2016 and 2017, all remain committed to 
the role and the individual performance of 
all directors continues to be effective. Also, 
in compliance with the Code, the Company 
ensures that non-executive directors have 
sufficient time to fulfil their obligations. This 
is assessed when a director is appointed and 
also in the event of there being a material 
change to an individual’s circumstances. 

During the year, Ian Tyler was appointed 
chairman of AWE Management Limited, a 
non-listed company, which was in addition 
to his chairmanship appointments with Cairn 
Energy and Bovis Homes Group. In 2016, 
the Chairman led an assessment of Mr Tyler’s 
other time commitments and agreed that 
they would not impact his ability to fulfil his 
commitments to the Company, but it was 
agreed that this should be reviewed on an 
annual basis. This review was undertaken and 
it was confirmed that his other commitments 
were not having an impact on his ability to 
fulfil his commitments to the Company. His 
other commitments have reduced recently as 
a result of him stepping down from the board 
of Mediclinic International plc.

Elizabeth Corley and Charles Woodburn, who 
joined the Board during the year, completed 
structured induction programmes.

The Company considers that all of the 
non-executive directors identified on page 69 
of this report are independent in accordance 
with Code provisions.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201672

Audit Committee  
report

Nick Rose 
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Members

Nick Rose (Chairman)

Paula Rosput Reynolds

Ian Tyler

Dear Shareholders,
The section on the Audit Committee’s year 
on page 75 provides an overview of the 
work that we have undertaken in the last 
12 months and I would like to focus here 
on specific aspects.

The work performed by the Company’s 
auditor is of fundamental importance to 
the Audit Committee and the wider Board, 
to management and, of course, to you as 
shareholders to whom the Independent 
Auditor’s report on pages 117 to 120 is 
specifically addressed.

As planned, the Audit Committee has 
embarked on a process that will result in 
new auditors being appointed in 2018. 
One major aspect of re-tendering any 
external audit appointment is dealing with 
the potential loss of experience and expertise 
of the incumbent auditor and the inevitable 
learning curve faced by the incoming auditor. 
Continuity and consistency of audit quality 
is important and, as a Committee, we have 
been mindful of the need to allow for a 
shadow audit period encompassing both 
the 2017 half-year and full-year audits as 
part of the auditor appointment process. 
Audit rotation regulations going forward 
will require large companies to re-tender 
their external audit service no less 
frequently than every ten years. 

The timeline for our audit re-tender process 
is shown below. As previously reported, 
KPMG LLP and their predecessors have been 
in place as the Company’s auditors since 
1981 without re-tender and, given the length 
of their current incumbency, have not been 
invited to tender, but are committed to 
ensuring a smooth transition. Our KPMG 
audit engagement partner, Ian Starkey, 
has been in this role since 2013 and the 
end of his five-year tenure, when he would 
otherwise rotate off our audit, will coincide 
with the appointment of a new audit firm.

The tender is being competed by highly 
capable and experienced international audit 
firms with strong track records and technical 
expertise. In coming to the shortlist, we 
concluded that the complexity of the Group 
and the scale of its international business 
require an incoming auditor to have the 
global reach and experience of one of the 
larger firms. Whilst there are no contractual 
obligations that would restrict the selection 
of an incoming auditor, increased regulatory 
restrictions on non-audit services work that 
can be undertaken by an incumbent auditor 
mean that both outgoing and incoming 
auditors have to be unencumbered by the 
provision to the audited entity of certain types 
of non-audit services and this, too, has been 
taken into account in the selection procedure. 

The Committee agreed the Request for 
Proposal documentation sent to the selected 
firms and the Committee members have each 
met with the lead partners of the tendering 
firms. The process is on track and the 
Committee intends to be in a position to make 
our recommendation to the Board on a new 
auditor in May 2017 for the 2018 audit. The 
recommendation will then be put before 
shareholders at the 2018 Annual General 
Meeting (AGM).

External audit tender timeline

Prior to May 2016
Pre-audit qualification and 
independence enquiries

June 2016
Request for Proposal documents 
for selected firms agreed

Summer 2016
Meetings with lead partners 
of tendering firms

December 2016
Tender progress 
assessment

September 2016 to March 2017
Fact-finding process for tendering firms

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201673

External audit
Both the Committee and management – 
and indeed our current auditors – have been 
conscious of the importance of not letting 
the audit re-tender distract us from 
business-as-usual in the audit environment. 
Our discussions with KPMG have focused on 
audit scope and maintaining audit quality, as 
well as ensuring that we have an experienced, 
quality team in place following some recent 
rotations off our account. 

In line with our usual practice, we have 
undertaken a review of the effectiveness 
of the external audit and the output of the 
review following the 2016 year-end audit 
enabled us to recommend to the Board 
that it seek shareholder approval for the 
re-appointment of KPMG LLP at the 2017 
AGM. For the remaining year of KPMG’s 
audit tenure – the financial year ending 
31 December 2017 – the focus will be on 
a smooth transition to the new incumbent 
without compromising audit quality. 

How the effectiveness of the external 
audit process was assessed

Who we survey:
–  Executive directors
–  Operating group/sector and line 

of business management

–  Internal Audit Director
–  Other senior executives, including 

key finance roles

Areas we cover:
–  Understanding of the Group’s risks
–  Audit plan
–  Robustness of audit processes
–  Objectivity
–  Quality of communications
–  Ability to provide a seamless service 

across differing jurisdictions

Audit independence 
As mentioned above, audit independence 
is coming under increasing focus and we 
have reviewed in detail the confirmation 
and information received from KPMG on 
the arrangements that they have in place 
to safeguard auditor independence and 
objectivity, including specific safeguards in 
place where they are providing permissible 
non-audit services to the Group. 

Non-audit services policy
The Committee has a formal policy 
governing the engagement of the auditors 
to provide non-audit services which we 
review on an annual basis. The policy 
prohibits certain activities from being 
undertaken by the auditors and also places 
restrictions on the employment of former 
employees of the auditors.

Recognising that the auditors are best 
placed to undertake certain work of a 
non-audit nature, the policy permits the 
provision of Audit-Related Services and 
Permitted Non-Audit Services up to limits 
that are pre-approved by the Committee, 
with specific approvals required beyond 
such limits by the Committee.

As part of the 2016 review, we made 
revisions to the policy in order to ensure 
compliance with the Financial Reporting 
Council’s revised regulations on ethical 
standards for auditors and EU regulations 
adopted by the UK which apply prohibitions 
to a range of engagements that could result 
in an auditor facing a conflict of interest. 
As a result, certain services formerly provided 
by KPMG, primarily tax services and investor 
information services, are no longer being 
provided by them with effect from 1 January 
2017. A copy of the revised policy is available 
on the Company’s website, baesystems.com. 

Details of fees payable to the auditors are 
set out on page 132. In 2016, non-audit fees 
represented 19% of the audit fee. The principal 
non-audit services provided by the auditors 
related to tax compliance services, the interim 
review and investor information services. 

Financial statements
The Committee reviews all significant issues 
concerning the financial statements. The 
principal matters we considered concerning 
the 2016 financial statements were:

Recognition of revenue, profit 
and provisioning
We reviewed key estimates and judgements 
prior to publication of the financial statements. 
Our review included the key estimates and 
assumptions applied in determining the 
financial status of the more significant 
programmes, including Typhoon, UK aircraft 
carrier programme, Astute Class submarine 
programme, Saudi British Defence Co-operation 
Programme, losses on US commercial 
shipbuilding contracts, customer payments on 
export orders and JP 2008 Phase 3F programme 
for enhanced satellite communications services 
to the Australian Defence Force. 

Pensions
Recognising the scale of the Group’s pension 
obligation, we reviewed the key assumptions 
supporting the valuation of the retirement 
benefit obligation. This included a comparison 
of the discount and inflation rates used against 
externally-derived data. We reviewed the 
methodology used to allocate a proportion 
of the retirement benefit obligation to equity 
accounted investments and concluded that 
this was appropriate with reference to 
agreements between the Company and those 
companies. We also considered the adequacy 
of disclosures in respect of the sensitivity of 
the deficit to changes in these key 
assumptions (see page 163).

Goodwill
We considered the level of goodwill held 
on the Group’s balance sheet in respect 
of a number of past major transactions 
and whether, given the future prospects 
of these businesses, the value of goodwill 
held on the balance sheet remains appropriate. 
The methodology for impairment testing 
used by the Group is set out in note 8 to the 
Group accounts on page 139. No goodwill 
impairments were identified as a result of 
this review.

May 2017
Selection of new auditors for 
recommendation to the Board

August 2017
Announcement of  
half-year results

February 2018
Announcement of  
full-year results

May 2018
Board recommendation 
at Annual General Meeting 
to appoint new auditors

June 2017 to July 2017
Half-year results  
shadow period

December 2017 to February 2018
Full-year results shadow period

External audit tender timeline

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201674

Audit Committee report 
continued

Internal control and risk
The Board has delegated to the Committee 
responsibility for reviewing in detail the 
effectiveness of the Company’s risk 
management and internal control system. 
The Committee’s review of the effectiveness 
of internal controls has encompassed a review 
of the reports relating to the six-monthly 
Operational Assurance Statements (OAS), 
which are submitted by each business or 
function as a mandated policy under the 
Group-wide Operational Framework, and 
controls reports and reports from both 
internal and external auditors. 

A key focus for the Committee is the 
controls environment surrounding the 
Company’s Lifecycle Management (LCM) 
process, the bedrock of our programme 
execution and management. LCM is integral 
to the successful execution of the Group’s 
projects and programmes, and of particular 
importance in the early identification of 
programme risk and the determination of 
profit recognition or provisioning which, you 
will see from above, tend to be areas where 
we are required to exercise judgement. We 
have discussed the outputs of general financial 
and LCM controls testing, and any required 
improvement actions, with management, 
and internal and external audit, with a view 
to ensuring the ongoing robustness of 
programme execution and risk mitigation. 

We have reviewed the ongoing effectiveness 
of the Company’s risk management processes 
as part of our wider review of internal 
controls. The Group’s principal risks are set 
out on pages 60 to 63.

Taxation
Whilst tax policy is ultimately a matter for 
the Board’s determination, we reviewed the 
Group’s tax strategy as set out on page 30. 
Twice during the year, we reviewed the 
Group’s tax charge, tax provisions and the 
basis of recoverability of the deferred tax 
asset relating to the Group’s pension deficit. 

During the year, the Financial Reporting 
Council (FRC) reviewed the tax disclosures in 
the Company’s 2015 Annual Report as part 
of the FRC’s thematic review of tax reporting 
announced in December 2015. The tax 
disclosures of 32 other FTSE 350 companies 
were also reviewed. There were no major 
financial reporting changes arising from this 
review and the enquiries are closed1.

Alternative Performance Measures
We reviewed disclosures to ensure that 
guidance issued by the European Securities 
and Markets Authority and the FRC was 
taken into account in the Annual Report.

Going concern and viability statements
The Committee agreed the parameters 
of, and reviewed the supporting report for, 
the going concern statement (see page 71) 
and the statement on the Board’s assessment 
of the prospects of the Company (the viability 
statement on page 71) on the five-year period 
used in the Integrated Business Plan.

How we ensure that the Group’s 
financial statements, taken as a whole, 
are fair, balanced and understandable

The process is: 
–  comprehensive guidance issued to all 
the contributors at operational level;

–  a verification process dealing with the 

factual content of the reports;

–  comprehensive reviews undertaken 
at different levels in the Group that 
aim to ensure consistency and overall 
balance; and

–  comprehensive review by the directors 

and the Executive Committee.

Internal audit
Internal Audit plays an integral role in the 
Company’s governance structure and provides 
regular reports to the Committee, including 
the outputs of the twice-yearly OAS process 
and the tracking of remedial action in the case 
of any control failures. 

The annual Internal Audit programme is 
agreed jointly by the Audit and Corporate 
Responsibility committees to ensure that 
the overarching programme covers not only 
financial risk, but also the assessment of 
the effectiveness of key areas of ethical and 
reputational risk. The assurance programme 
covers a broad range of audits covering areas 
such as mandated governance, OAS outputs, 
risk register findings, change programmes, 
and areas relating to responsible behaviour and 
non-financial risk, as well as accommodating 
ad hoc Internal Audit requests. 

During the year under review, and separate 
from the normal regular sessions we hold 
with the Internal Audit Director without 
management present, we held a separate 
session with him which, together with output 
from the annual evaluation of the function, 
is helping us to shape the Internal Audit 
programme to leverage the use of this vital 
resource for valued-added assurance. 

After discussion of the 2016 evaluation 
output with the Internal Audit Director, 
the Committee concluded that the Internal 
Audit function remains effective. We currently 
intend to undertake an external assessment 
of the function in 2017.

How the Committee assesses the 
effectiveness of Internal Audit

Who we survey:
–  Group-wide heads of Audit Review Boards
–  Other business leaders
–  External auditors

Areas for requested feedback include:
–  Role of Internal Audit and independence

–  Audit planning, processes and execution

–  People resources and skilling

–  Reporting

Nick Rose
Chairman of the Audit Committee

1. In choosing to refer to the FRC’s review, the Company 
is asked by the FRC to make clear that the FRC’s role is 
not to verify the accuracy of the Company’s report and 
accounts or other information provided to the FRC, but 
to consider compliance with reporting requirements. 
The FRC accepts no liability for reliance on its letters on 
this matter by any third party, including but not limited 
to, investors and shareholders.

Competition and Markets Authority Audit Order
The Committee has complied with the provisions of the Competition and Markets Authority 
Audit Order in respect of committee responsibilities and audit re-tending disclosures.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016The Audit Committee’s year
February

Committee

London, UK
–  Considered the accounting, financial 

control and audit issues reported by the 
auditors that flowed from the audit work.

–  Reviewed the financial statements and 
specific disclosures, including viability 
and going concern, for recommendation 
to the Board.

–  Reviewed the effectiveness of the 

external audit process.

–  Received a report from the Group 

Taxation Director.

–  Considered output from the six-monthly 

OAS review.

–  Reviewed the procedures and outputs 
for the identification, assessment and 
reporting of risk.

–  Reviewed the effectiveness of the 
Company’s helpline procedures in 
respect of the reporting of accounting 
or financial improprieties.
–  Regular quarterly items1.

Joint session with the Corporate 
Responsibility Committee:
–  Agreed final iteration of the annual 

Internal Audit programme.

May

Committee

London, UK
–  Agreed the AGM Trading Statement.

–  Reviewed the fees for non-audit services.

75

June

Committee

July

Committee

Washington DC, US
–  Agreed audit engagement and audit fee.
–  Agreed audit strategy and scope.
–  Reviewed external auditor independence 

issues.

–  Agreed Request for Proposal, timeline 
and process for the audit re-tender.
–  Discussed with external auditors the 
Financial Reporting Council’s latest 
Quality Review on KPMG (which 
did not include the BAE Systems audit).
–  Received a report on the Group’s insurance 

arrangements.

–  Considered output of the Internal 

Audit Director’s report.

London, UK
–  Considered the accounting, financial 

control and audit issues reported by the 
auditors that flowed from the audit work.

–  Reviewed the financial statements and 

specific disclosures, including going concern, 
for recommendation to the Board.

–  Received a report from the Group Taxation 

Director.

–  Considered output from the six-monthly 

OAS review.

–  Reviewed the procedures and outputs 
for the identification, assessment and 
reporting of risk.

–  Regular quarterly items1.

–  Received a presentation from VP, Audit 

Meeting

for the US businesses.
–  Regular quarterly items1.

Summer

Meetings

London, UK
–  Meetings between individual Audit 

Committee members and lead partners 
of audit tender firms to discuss the audit 
re-tender.

London, UK 
–  Informal meeting with the Internal 

Audit Director to discuss best practice 
developments in internal audit and 
its strategic development.

December

Committee

London, UK
–  Assessed progress on the audit re-tender. 
–  Considered the external auditor’s 

controls report.

–  Considered output of the Internal Audit 

Director’s report.

–  Presentation from the Head of Internal 

Audit, Programmes & Support.

–  Received a report on export control 

compliance.

–  Amended the Non-Audit Services Policy.
–  Discussed the first iteration of the annual 

Internal Audit programme.

–  Set the parameters for work supporting 

the viability and going concern statements.

–  Undertook a review of the effectiveness 

of the Internal Audit function.

–  Regular quarterly items1.

Committee composition and evaluation
The breadth of experience of the Audit Committee members is set out on page 69. 
The performance evaluation of the Committee is undertaken as part of the wider Board 
evaluation and the Board believes the Committee to have the appropriate composition 
and complement of skills to discharge its responsibilities.

Audit Committee timeline

February
Committee  

May
Committee  

June
Committee  
Meetings  

July
Committee  
Meeting  

December
Committee  

1. The Committee reviews the nature and level of non-audit services (including independence safeguards from the 

incumbent auditor where it provides such services), and holds a separate session with the Internal Audit Director and 
external auditors without management present. The Audit Committee Chairman also meets separately with internal 
and external audit.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201676

Corporate Responsibility  
Committee report

Ian Tyler 
Chairman of the Corporate 
Responsibility Committee

Members

Ian Tyler (Chairman)

Harriet Green

Chris Grigg

In 2015, we saw a reduction in the overall 
incident rate but, unfortunately, there was also 
an increase in major injuries. The Committee, 
therefore, reviewed the major individual injury 
incidents in depth to understand whether 
there were lessons learned that could be 
shared across the Company. In support of 
the safety agenda, the Committee also 
looked at how the performance objectives 
could be used to drive actions and behaviours 
to support a reduction in the significant risks 
at our sites – this being key to achieving 
long-term sustainable improvement.

Safety is one of the performance measures 
within the Annual Incentive Plan, which 
applies to the executive directors and also 
to all senior executives across the Company. 
At the end of 2016, the Committee reviewed 
safety performance at Group level and that of 
our principal businesses, and recommended 
the level of achievement to be recognised in 
the incentive plan.

In September, the Committee carried out 
a deep dive into the safety culture in our 
businesses in Saudi Arabia and Australia. 
We are an international business and we 
operate in many different countries, each 
of which has individual challenges when 
it comes to embedding our safety culture. 
In Saudi Arabia and Australia, we operate 
sites across a broad geographical area. 
This can present a challenge for the local 
management team to communicate 
effectively a consistent message on safety 
and to ensure that we are sharing best 
practice. Despite these challenges, the 
Committee was pleased to hear about 
the progress that was being made.

Ethical behaviour
This year, the Committee carried out a review 
of the processes in place to help ensure that 
the Company only takes on business that is 
consistent with its standards of integrity. 
This is governed by our Product Trading Policy 
– a principles-based approach to evaluating 
business opportunities requiring any 
responsible trading risks to be identified as 
part of a structured decision-making process. 
The Committee carried out a deep dive into 
the way in which our Applied Intelligence 
business has augmented its business-winning 
processes to incorporate the requirements of 
this policy and how it has tailored the process 
to its particular business model. In particular, 
we considered the escalation steps that would 
be used if a decision needed to be referred 
upwards, ultimately to the Board. 

The Committee also reviewed the governance 
procedures for our overseas markets. The 
Company has a network of regional business 
development offices that act as the first port 
of call for any business unit seeking to do 
business in that region or country, and it is 
important that we have a consistent and 
robust approach to how we do business 
in all parts of the world. The Committee 
spent time discussing the management of 
overseas offices with our head of business 
development and chief legal counsel who 
support this function.

Product safety
Each year, the Committee reviews the Product 
Safety Policy. The integrity of our supply chain 
is crucial to our ability to provide high-quality 
products and services to our customers. We 
must, therefore, seek assurance at each stage 
of a product’s lifecycle to ensure that our 
quality and ethical standards are being met.

Dear Shareholders,
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to 
present the Corporate Responsibility 
Committee report. The aim of the report is 
to provide you with a view of the key activities 
undertaken by the Committee during the year, 
our areas of focus and what we plan to do 
in 2017.

At the beginning of 2016, the Committee 
agreed a business plan which set out our 
main areas of focus. This allowed us to 
schedule sufficient time to carry out deep-dive 
reviews in these areas. An important factor in 
the success of these reviews is ensuring that 
we meet with the right people from within 
the Company and hear directly from them 
about what we are doing. From them we 
can understand more about the practical 
implications of implementing our policies. 
This is particularly important as we operate 
across a number of countries and cultures 
and this can have an impact on the roll-out 
and embedding of Company-wide policies.

This year we have carried out detailed 
reviews on the following: safety; ethical 
behaviour; product safety; and diversity 
and inclusion. I will discuss each of these 
topics through this report.

Safety
Safety is one of our principal areas of focus 
and will remain so even though we are 
making steps towards achieving world-class 
performance in some of our businesses. The 
Committee has worked with management 
to develop an understanding of what 
world-class safety performance looks like 
and has agreed an approach to how all our 
businesses can challenge themselves to 
improve in this area. This includes the targets 
that are set for achievement at a Group level 
and the timeframe over which these are to 
be achieved. It is important that targets are 
realistic, but also drive continual improvement 
in the most effective way. The Committee 
is particularly interested in how best practice 
is shared, how change is implemented and 
embedded, and how we record information 
on safety and learn from it. 

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201677

In 2016, the Committee took the opportunity 
to visit two of the key UK manufacturing 
sites, Warton and Samlesbury, Lancashire. 
Each year, we schedule a full-day visit as it 
gives an opportunity for the Committee to 
develop a first-hand understanding of the 
corporate responsibility successes and 
challenges across the business. This continues 
to be a valuable addition to the calendar 
as it allows us to meet with management 
and employees from different areas of the 
business. The focus of this visit was on 
corporate culture and how the diversity 
and inclusion agenda is being progressed 
by the Military Air & Information business. 
We visited the newly-opened Academy 
for Skills & Knowledge at Samlesbury and 
discussed with the management team 
the recruitment approaches and training 
paths for apprentices. During the year, 
the Committee has also reviewed the 
Product Safety Policy and the visit afforded 
us the opportunity to discuss how this is 
implemented practically and the questions 
that need to be asked when making 
product safety decisions.

December

Committee

London, UK
–  Review of annual lobbying report.
–  Anti-bribery and corruption review.
–  Culture and engagement review.
–  Review of 2017 corporate responsibility 

audit review programme.
–  Set safety objectives for 2017.

Diversity and inclusion
Last year, I reported that we were reviewing 
how the Company planned to create a more 
diverse and inclusive workforce. The nurturing 
of our talent pipeline continues to be a key 
driver towards the long-term goal of bringing 
greater diversity into our senior management 
and executive teams. This is a long-term process 
which starts with the choices made by school- 
leavers and, therefore, general changes in the 
industry as a whole will take time to filter 
organically into the Company demographic. 
The Company is looking at what action it can 
take to support and drive the pace of this 
change. As a Committee, we considered the 
overall objective at Group level and what action 
can be taken to support this. During 2017, we 
plan to spend more time looking at the way 
this is approached at business unit level.

The agenda for the upcoming year will be 
developed to support the Committee in its 
understanding of the corporate responsibility 
challenges facing the business.

As you can see opposite, in 2016, we visited 
two of our UK military aircraft sites. Such visits 
are a great way for members of the Board to 
get out of the boardroom and engage directly 
with employees. We will be doing more of this 
in 2017.

Ian Tyler
Chairman of the Corporate 
Responsibility Committee

Corporate responsibility in action
Developing first-hand understanding 
of corporate responsibility

Site visit to 
Samlesbury 
and Warton

  More online
  baesystems.com

The Corporate Responsibility Committee’s year
February

June

Committee

Committee

London, UK
–  Commercial and Procurement policy update.
–  Review of performance against the safety 

objectives for 2015.

Washington DC, US
–  Review of overseas governance processes.
–  Review of Product Trading Policy.
–  Diversity and inclusion update.

–  Overview of current and emerging issues 

for the Corporate Responsibility Committee 
during 2016.

September

Committee

Baltimore, Maryland, US
–  Product trading review, focusing on 

Applied Intelligence.

–  Diversity and inclusion update.
–  Safety review, focusing on the 
International operating group.

Corporate Responsibility Committee timeline

February
Committee  

June
Committee  

September
Committee

December
Committee

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
78

Nominations 
Committee report

Sir Roger Carr 
Chairman of the  
Nominations Committee

Members

Sir Roger Carr (Chairman)

Elizabeth Corley

Harriet Green

Chris Grigg

Paula Rosput Reynolds

Nick Rose

Ian Tyler

Dear Shareholders,
During the past 24 months, the Committee 
completed a thorough examination of both 
Board composition and senior management 
succession needs. This review was to ensure 
compliance with the highest governance 
standards and to identify and secure the mix 
and skills of the team that was appropriate 
to both current and future requirements.

In reviewing the senior Board membership it 
was acknowledged that the Chief Executive, 
Ian King, may wish to retire in 2017 after 
serving eight years in the role, but that 
all other executive Board positions were 
unlikely to change for the foreseeable future.

A thorough appraisal was conducted of 
candidates that were considered to have 
the mix of talent, experience, skills and 
forward career longevity suitable to take 
the Chief Executive role. In the light of this 
research, Charles Woodburn was recruited 
as Chief Operating Officer with a view that, 
after a period of industry assimilation and 
management responsibility, he would prove 
to be an appropriate successor.

I am pleased to report that, following the 
Committee’s nomination, the Board has 
agreed to appoint Charles to succeed Ian 
King as Chief Executive when he retires 
on 30 June 2017.

In considering the non-executive roles on 
the Board, it was established that following 
the successful recruitment of Elizabeth Corley, 
the Board structure met the requirements of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code, having 
11 members, of which one was an independent 
chairman, four executive and six non-executives 
(60% independent for the purposes of the 
Code) made up of three females (27%) and 
two of non-British origin (18%).

The skill set of the Board was identified as 
having large-scale industrial and commercial 
international management experience 
covering the areas of finance, engineering 
and government relationships.

The relatively small size of the Board is 
considered to work well, but on occasion 
places committee membership under pressure. 
Against this background and in the light of 
the skill set analysis, it is our intention to make 
a further two non-executive appointments 
over the next 18 months. Our ambition is to 
identify and appoint one male and one female 
non-executive, ideally with international 
contracting and/or cyber technology 
experience. These appointments will both 
strengthen the existing Board membership 
and prepare for the inevitable departure of 
Board members when they complete their 
third term in 2019.

In addition to Board membership, the 
Nominations Committee has continued 
to consider the development of the senior 
executive team. To ensure Board members 
have adequate exposure to succession plans, 
the formal Board site visits are supplemented 
by more intimate breakfasts and dinners to 
facilitate greater contact between Nominations 
Committee members and high-potential 
executive management. In 2016, these events 
proved to be both popular and valuable for 
directors and managers. 

On a more formal basis, we continue to 
invite members of the Executive Committee 
to occupy a boardroom empty seat in order 
that they may gain useful exposure to the 
workings of a board.

Finally, in keeping with the Hampton Alexander 
report, it is our plan to improve further our 
gender balance in senior executive roles, 
strengthen the wider diversity of our talent 
pipeline and target 33% of Board positions 
to be held by women by 2020. By adopting 
this holistic approach of understanding and 
building the talent within the Company, whilst 
occasionally benchmarking and recruiting 
from outside the organisation, the Board and 
Nominations Committee consider they are 
discharging their responsibilities enthusiastically, 
professionally and appropriately.

Sir Roger Carr
Chairman of the Nominations Committee

Nominations Committee timeline

May
Committee  

June
Committee  

December
Committee

In addition to the formal Committee meetings, the Chairman met informally with non-executive directors on a number of occasions during the 
year to discuss Nominations Committee-related matters.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016Remuneration  
Committee report

Paula Rosput Reynolds 
Chairman of the  
Remuneration Committee

Thus, given the external environment of 
heightened sensitivity on remuneration, 
potential senior leadership changes and the 
exigencies of our business, the Committee 
has had much to consider over the last 
number of months. This letter elaborates 
on the Committee’s thinking and reflects the 
extensive input we have received from major 
shareholders. We provide substantial detail in 
this letter so that all shareholders can equally 
consider the various concerns and trade-offs 
that the Committee has considered in 
proposing changes to the policy. 

Nevertheless, the Committee’s overarching 
goal remains the same – to ensure that we are 
providing the proper incentives for sustainable 
high performance by our executive team, to 
do so with transparency for our stakeholders, 
and to assure alignment between business 
results and rewards conferred.

Context to the Committee’s decisions
The Committee is concerned with the full 
spectrum of executive employment matters: 
recruiting, promoting and retaining the best 
top-level leaders, setting the incentives under 
which these leaders operate, and monitoring 
the results they produce and the manner in 
which they produce them. Our overall 
remuneration framework has a number of 
specific objectives. It is designed to motivate 
our key talent to achieve the Company’s 
strategic objectives, to deliver on customer 
commitments, to lead and inspire employees, 
and to drive value for our shareholders. It is 
also designed to be competitive in the 
various markets in which we operate and 
compete for talent. 

Dear Shareholders,
Over the last year, there has been an 
elevated interest by shareholders and the UK 
government regarding executive remuneration. 
Concerns have been raised about the 
effectiveness of the incentives embedded 
in remuneration schemes, the alignment 
of remuneration with shareholder interests 
and business outcomes, and the quantum 
of rewards afforded to top-level executives. 
While listed companies have often sought 
to standardise their plans, there is a growing 
recognition that one size does not fit all. 

It is with this backdrop in mind that the 
Remuneration Committee (the Committee) 
has considered both the administration of 
our current reward framework and the 
refreshment of our remuneration policy 
(the Policy), the latter of which will be 
subject to a shareholder resolution at the 
2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM). 
We believe that we’ve made substantial 
progress in recent years to build a more 
direct alignment between the Company’s 
strategy and the creation of shareholder value. 
At this same time, we have sought to reduce 
the complexity of our long-term incentive 
arrangements. But this effort is always a work 
in progress; as business circumstances change, 
so must we adapt our policies. 

2017 is, in many ways, a crossroads year 
for BAE Systems. We remain subject to 
rapidly-changing political, economic, defence 
and security conditions around the world. 
Such circumstances require that we redouble 
our efforts to be responsive to the environment 
and to innovate for the long-run health of 
our business. As already announced, Ian King 
will retire and Charles Woodburn has been 
appointed as Chief Executive effective 1 July 
2017. Additionally, given the demographics of 
our workforce, we anticipate that there will be 
a number of other senior-level retirements and 
individuals appointed to replace them over the 
next three to five years. Under the guidance of 
our Chairman, Sir Roger Carr, the Board has 
undertaken a programme which will not only 
assure a smooth transition of leadership but 
also inspire our employees to embrace change. 

79

Members

Paula Rosput Reynolds (Chairman)

Elizabeth Corley

Nick Rose

There are multiple considerations in the 
design of the overall framework. First, is 
the balance of short-term and long-term 
incentives. Second, is the interplay between 
Group and business segment results and 
individual accomplishments, as well as the 
level of reward afforded to employees in the 
wider Group. Third, is to distinguish between 
the precise numerical results and the character 
of the results themselves, including the manner 
in which they are achieved. Fourth, is the 
balance between absolute shareholder value 
creation and the Group’s performance relative 
to peers. 

Our short-term programme metrics are tied 
to Group performance, business segment 
performance and individual goals, including 
the leadership behaviours that underpin 
BAE Systems’ Total Performance culture. 
Our long-term incentive programme measures 
absolute performance of the Group and 
performance relative to peers. Our framework 
is intended to foster accountability for 
sustaining and growing the Group in a 
responsible manner.

In addition to developing the overall 
remuneration policy and framework, the 
Committee assesses the level of challenge 
within our Annual and Long-Term Incentive 
Plan targets. Annually, in November, the full 
Board reviews and adopts the Integrated 
Business Plan. Thereafter, the Committee 
reviews the specific business targets/metrics 
for the one and three-year periods and 
examines the underlying assumptions, 
including the degree of ‘stretch’ contained 
within them. After setting one and three-year 
targets, the Committee periodically reviews 
progress towards the attainment of the 
objectives. After the close of each year, the 
Committee undertakes a thorough review 
of annual and three-year performance. 
Separately, the Committee regularly considers 
the overall construct of the remuneration 
package to ensure that potential pay 
outcomes are appropriate and reasonable 
against different performance scenarios.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201680

Remuneration Committee report 
continued

Summary of key decisions for 2016

–  Determination of remuneration package 
applicable to newly-appointed Chief 
Operating Officer in May 2016.
–  Salaries of the Chief Executive and 

Chief Operating Officer are not being 
increased for 2017.

–  Salary of the Group Finance Director 
is being increased by 2.5% from 
1 January 2017.

–  Salary of the President and Chief 

Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc. 
is being increased by 3.0% from 
1 January 2017.

–  Fee for the Chairman is being increased 

from £650,000 to £700,000 from 
1 February 2017 and is fixed for 
three years.

–  Awards granted in spring 2016 of 

Performance Shares, Share Options 
and (to US executive director only) 
Restricted Shares.

–  Application of a performance range of 
3% to 7% average annual Earnings per 
Share (EPS) growth with 25% vesting 
at threshold to Long-Term Incentive 
(LTI) awards and 50% of the Total 
Shareholder Return (TSR) measure based 
on the current peer comparator group 
and 50% based on a TSR percentile 
ranking against the companies in the 
FTSE 100 index.

–  Appointment of new independent 

adviser Willis Towers Watson.

Rationale for the 2017 remuneration 
policy requiring approval at 2017 AGM
Earlier this year, the Committee conducted 
an extensive review of the effectiveness of 
our approved 2014 remuneration policy to 
determine whether it contained sufficient 
flexibility in our future arrangements. The 
Committee concluded that, overall, the 
current reward framework is broadly working 
and recognised that shareholders have 
consistently demonstrated a high level of 
support for the Committee’s application of 
the policy. In terms of overall design principles, 
our review confirmed that the current design 
construct of base salary, Annual Incentive 
and LTIs remains appropriate. Importantly, 
we propose no changes to the overall quantum 
of LTI expected value for executive directors. 

The Committee has spent considerable 
time examining the various alternative 
constructs being advocated by shareholders 
and government. Many of these constructs 
are already featured in our plans, such as 
the use of restricted shares in lieu of 
performance-based shares or options; longer 
mandatory holding periods for shares; and 
higher levels of minimum shareholdings by 
executives. The following revisions to our 
policy are proposed taking account of 
shareholder recommendations. In addition, 
recognising public interest in pay differentials, 
we are disclosing the pay ratio of our current 
Chief Executive to that of the average 
employee of the Group.

Business performance and incentive outcomes in 2016

2016  
performance

2016  
incentive outcome

Group EPS

Group cash

Group order intake

Average three-year EPS growth

Three-year TSR

Recordable Accident Rate (per 100,000 employees)

Major injuries recorded

  Below threshold
  Between threshold and target
  Between target and stretch

AIP

AIP

AIP

LTI

LTI

AIP

AIP

38.5p

£(1,386)m

£20.9bn

<5%

49.1%

580

39

AIP   Annual Incentive Plan

LTI   Long-Term Incentive

This resulted in the following incentive outcomes:

–  2016 annual bonus payouts for the executive directors ranged from 82.3% to 92.8% 

of maximum; and

–  Performance Share Plan and Share Option awards granted to executive directors 
in March 2014 will lapse in 2017 as the performance conditions were not met.

Maintain quantum
As a demonstration of the Committee’s 
commitment to continued restraint, there will 
be no change to Annual Incentive opportunity 
levels or LTI expected value levels.

As shareholders will recognise, there is an 
important distinction between the face (or 
‘headline’) award values and the expected 
value of the different LTI vehicles which takes 
into account the performance conditions on 
Performance Shares and Share Options, and 
the inherent share price growth requirement 
to deliver value as summarised in the 
following table:

LTI 
headline 
award
(% of salary)

LTI 
expected 
value
(% of salary)

550

530

515

185

175

167.5

732

299

Chief Executive

Chief Operating Officer

Group Finance Director

President and 
Chief Executive Officer 
of BAE Systems, Inc.

We believe reliance on headline values in 
judging the appropriateness of remuneration 
plans is misplaced since it does not account for 
the challenging performance conditions and 
the share price appreciation needed to create 
realised value.

Adjust LTI metrics to align with 
strategic objectives
A key conclusion of the review found that, 
whilst the LTI structure is broadly working, 
better alignment is possible between LTI 
vesting outcomes and Group performance 
and shareholder experience. The Committee 
has previously recognised the need for better 
alignment and, in 2016, the Committee 
added a second TSR measure that benchmarks 
BAE Systems’ performance, not just to its peer 
group, but to the broader group of FTSE 100 
companies. This change was intended to align 
realisation of equity by executive directors 
with the value created for the UK shareholder 
base, whose preferences for income differ 
from the US shareholder base of BAE Systems’ 
global defence peers. 

Notwithstanding the improvement in 
alignment that we anticipate will be fostered 
by this FTSE component to the TSR, the 
Committee believes TSR may be a more 
volatile indicator when used by itself as 
a means for vesting shares. Prospectively, 
the Committee proposes to introduce EPS 
alongside TSR as a performance condition 
applicable to Share Options granted to 
the executive directors, with an equal 
50% weighting on EPS and 50% on TSR 
(as currently applies to Performance Shares). 

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
 
 
81

Application of 2018 package for UK executive directors

Application of 2018 package for US executive director

Vests subject to 
three-year TSR and 
EPS conditions, and 
two-year holding 
period, in year 5

Vests subject to 
three-year TSR and 
EPS conditions, and 
two-year holding 
period, in year 5

One-third 
compulsorily 
deferred in shares 
for three years

Two-thirds paid in 
cash immediately

Share
Options

Performance 
Shares

Compulsory
bonus deferral

Annual
Incentive

Base
Salary

Vests subject to 
three-year TSR and 
EPS conditions; 
vested shares 
released in 
one-thirds in 
years 3, 4 and 5

Vests subject to 
three-year service 
condition with an 
additional two-year 
clawback period

One-third 
compulsorily 
deferred in shares 
for three years

Two-thirds paid in 
cash immediately

Performance 
Shares

Restricted 
Shares

Compulsory
bonus deferral

Annual
Incentive

Base
Salary

1

2

3

Year

4

5

1

2

3

Year

4

5

Charts are illustrative and are not to scale. Details of executive director remuneration packages are on page 83. The full Policy for approval at the 2017 AGM is on pages 99 to 111.

Our rationale for this enhancement is to 
recognise the strategic importance of 
achieving consistent absolute growth in 
our markets, not just relative performance. 

In summary, the Committee continues to 
support the use of TSR so that there remains 
an external benchmark of the Group’s 
performance to both defence and FTSE peers. 
At the same time, the Committee believes that 
including three-year earnings targets keeps 
our executives focused on achieving absolute 
growth over each planning period.

Application of reasonable discretion
The Committee is mindful of the shareholder 
requirement for the Committee, and ultimately 
the Board, to exercise judgement when 
determining remuneration awards. In addition 
to the TSR and EPS primary performance tests, 
the Committee confirms and recognises its 
obligation to judge the overall reasonableness 
of the rewards received relative to the overall 
business actions and results achieved. When 
determining the final performance condition 
outcome under the LTIP, the Committee may 
exercise discretion over the number of 
Performance Shares and/or Share Options 
vesting in the light of other important factors 
in the business (reasonable discretion). Such 
factors may include specific financial and/or 
operating conditions as well as judgements 
regarding the overall health and sustainability 
of the Group. Whilst the exercise of such 
discretion may result in vesting of awards going 
upwards, the Committee fully appreciates the 
importance to shareholders of this being used 
in a balanced way, with clear demonstration of 
willingness to apply downward adjustments 

before seeking to increase the potential 
vesting outcome at a future point in time.

Modify the mix of LTI awards for the 
US executive director
Following an extensive review, which included 
data provided by an independent third-party 
adviser with expertise in the US defence 
sector, and in consultation with the board 
of BAE Systems, Inc., the Committee has 
identified that the current LTI construct and 
realisable pay opportunity for our US executive 
director is significantly out of line relative to 
US peer companies. Differences in typical 
US market practice, such as the award of 
share options not being subject to a further 
performance hurdle, mean that the actual 
reward received by our US executive director 
lags that of US peers by approximately 20%. 
This is an unsustainable position and may in 
time affect our ability to recruit and retain 
top-tier talent for this critical position.

To address this issue, and without increasing 
the overall expected value of the LTI, we are 
proposing to simplify the current construct 
of the US executive director’s package by 
eliminating the use of Share Options and 
structuring the design of the LTI with an equal 
weighting in expected value in Performance 
Shares and Restricted Shares as follows:

Expected value (% of salary)

Current

Proposed

Performance Shares

Share Options

Restricted Shares

Total

121

78

100

299

149

–

150

299

At the same time, we intend to increase 
the Minimum Shareholding Requirement 
applicable to the US executive director from 
350% to 425% of salary, consistent with 
the higher grant of Restricted Shares and 
in keeping with US market practice.

The limits applicable to awards of Restricted 
Shares contained within the current policy 
will be revised accordingly, with the maximum 
limit on awards being raised from 100% to 
150% and with no more than 50% of the 
overall LTI expected value being delivered 
in Restricted Shares. 

Increase period from grant to final release 
The Committee proposes to increase the 
period from grant to final release to five years 
in respect of Performance Shares and Share 
Options. This will be structured as a three-year 
performance period with a further two-year 
holding period on both Performance Shares 
and Share Options and is applicable to our 
UK executive directors. 

Recognising that extending the vesting/holding 
period beyond three years would significantly 
reduce the competitiveness of the LTI offering 
in the US, the Committee intends to retain 
the current LTI vesting/release profiles for the 
US executive director as follows:
–  Performance Shares: three-year performance 
period with phased release of one-third at 
the end of years 3, 4 and 5.

–  Restricted Shares: three-year vesting period 
with an additional two-year clawback period.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201682

Remuneration Committee report 
continued

Concluding comments
On behalf of my colleagues on the Committee, 
and indeed the entire Board, we appreciate 
the input we have received from shareholders 
and representatives of institutional investors. 
These conversations and comments have been 
influential in refreshing our policy. Striking the 
right balance between standardised plans and 
bespoke solutions is a challenging exercise.

The Committee believes that the recommended 
changes will ensure that our arrangements 
are reasonable relative to the complexity and 
challenge of the Group’s business, are globally 
competitive, and remain aligned to the 
Company’s strategic goals and to the interests 
of our shareholders.

On behalf of the Board

Paula Rosput Reynolds
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee’s year

January

Committee

London, UK
–  Considered offer package for incoming 

Chief Operating Officer.

February

Committee

London, UK
–  Determined 2015 bonuses against 

performance for executive directors 
and Executive Committee members 
for payment in March 2016.

–  Approved 2015 Group All-Employee 

Free Share Plans payments. 

–  Determined vesting outcome for 
2013 Long-Term Incentive awards.
–  Approved 2016 Long-Term Incentive 
awards and associated performance 
targets for executive directors and 
Executive Committee members.

–  Agreed 2016 objectives for executive 
directors and Executive Committee 
members.

–  Reviewed feedback from shareholder 

consultation on 2016 remuneration review.

–  Reviewed Remuneration Committee 

terms of reference.

–  Approved 2015 Annual remuneration 

report.

Remuneration Committee timeline

Spring

Re-tender

London, UK
Re-tender for Independent Adviser to 
Remuneration Committee.
–  Selected new Independent Adviser.

May

Committee

Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
–  Considered remuneration design and 

external market trends and themes for 2017 
Directors’ remuneration policy renewal.

September

Committee

Baltimore, Maryland, US
–  Considered proposed changes to 2017 
Directors’ remuneration policy renewal.

–  Agreed process for early shareholder 

consultation on Directors’ remuneration 
policy.

November

Committee

Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
–  Reviewed feedback from early 

shareholder consultation on 2017 
Directors’ remuneration policy renewal.

–  Reviewed level of executive directors’ 
and Executive Committee members’ 
shareholdings relative to the Minimum 
Shareholding Requirement.

–  Reviewed dilution levels and share usage 

under Employee Share Plans.

–  Approved operation of Group All-Employee 

Free Share Plans.

December

Committee

London, UK
–  Reviewed and set salaries and bonus 

opportunity levels for executive directors 
and Executive Committee members.

–  Proposed and set 2017 Annual Incentive 

–  Agreed basis for 2017 annual remuneration 

targets.

review.

–  Reviewed and set the Chairman’s fee 

for a three-year period. 

–  Received update on progress against 
Annual Incentive Plan objectives for 
executive directors and Executive 
Committee members.

–  Received update on performance conditions 

for Long-Term Incentive awards.

–  Considered further updates on early 
shareholder consultation on 2017 
Directors’ remuneration policy renewal.
–  Reviewed draft 2016 Annual remuneration 

report. 

January
Committee  

February
Committee  

May
Committee  
Re-tender  

September
Committee

November
Committee  

December
Committee

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201683

Annual remuneration report 
at a glance

Executive directors’ remuneration

The charts below show the 2016 actual remuneration achieved, as disclosed in the single total figure of remuneration on page 85, compared 
with the 2016 on-target opportunity. On-target remuneration assumes target vesting of incentives payable in respect of the performance 
period with year-end 2016. For Charles Woodburn, the figures below exclude the one-off cash payment of £1,620,000 to recognise forfeited 
compensation from his previous employer, which does not form part of usual annual remuneration.

£m
4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

£m
4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

£m
4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

£m1
4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

On-target

Actual

On-target

Actual

On-target

Actual

On-target

Actual

Ian King
Chief Executive

Charles Woodburn
Chief Operating Officer

Peter Lynas
Group Finance Director

Jerry DeMuro
President and Chief Executive
Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.

1. The figures for Jerry DeMuro have been converted from US dollars to sterling.

Summary of remuneration framework

Share Options
Performance Shares
Restricted Shares
Annual Incentive
Pension and benefits
Base Salary

The overall remuneration framework applicable to each of the four executive directors under the current policy is summarised in the following table. 
The proposed changes to the policy1 which will apply subject to shareholder approval at the 2017 Annual General Meeting are shown in italics.

Purpose and link to strategy

Base Salary 
(with effect from 
1 January 2017)

Recognise market value of role and individual’s 
skills, experience and performance to ensure 
the business can attract and retain talent.

Pension and benefits Provide competitive benefits.

Ian  
King
CEO

Charles 
Woodburn2
COO

Peter  
Lynas
GFD

Jerry  
DeMuro
CEO Inc.

£982,300

£750,000

£585,275

$1,023,000

Defined  
benefit

Defined 
contribution

Defined  
benefit

Section 401(k)
defined 
contribution

Annual Incentive

Drive and reward annual performance of 
individuals and teams on both financial and 
non-financial metrics, including leadership 
behaviours, in order to deliver sustainable 
growth in shareholder value. Compulsory 
deferral into shares increases alignment with 
shareholder interests.

Performance Shares

Share Options

Drive and reward delivery of sustained 
long-term Earnings per Share (EPS) and 
Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance 
aligned to the interests of shareholders.

Drive and reward delivery of sustained 
long-term EPS and TSR performance and 
sustained improvement in the Company’s 
share price.

Restricted Shares

Provide long-term reward through time-
vesting awards principally in the Company’s 
US market.

Minimum 
Shareholding 
Requirement

Provide long-term alignment with 
shareholder interests.

Level (on-target/
maximum opportunity) 
(% salary)

112.5%/225% 100%/200% 80%/160% 112.5%/225%

Performance condition

80% financial/20% non-financial

Deferral into  
Deferred Bonus Plan

One-third compulsory deferral

Grant (% salary)

250%

230%

215%

242%  
(298%)

Performance condition

50% on relative TSR/50% on three-year EPS growth

Grant (% salary)

300%

300%

300%

Performance condition

Relative TSR 
(Equal split on EPS growth and relative TSR)

Grant (% salary)

n/a

(% salary)

300%

200%

200%

390%  
(Nil)

100%  
(150%)

350%  
(425%)

1. The full Directors’ remuneration policy for shareholder approval at the 2017 Annual General Meeting is set out on pages 99 to 111.
2. The appointment of Charles Woodburn as Chief Executive with effect from 1 July 2017 is described on page 91.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201684

Annual remuneration report
for the year ended 31 December 2016

This section details the remuneration of the executive 
and non-executive directors (including the Chairman) 
during the financial year ended 31 December 2016 and 
will be proposed for an advisory vote by shareholders 
at the 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM). It has 
been prepared on the basis prescribed in the Large 
and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts 
and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.

Directors’ remuneration in the year ending 31 December 2017

For the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, the current Directors’ remuneration 
policy (the Policy) at the date of this report took legal effect on 1 January 2015. 
The Policy has been operating in practice since the date of its approval on 7 May 
2014 at the 2014 AGM. The remuneration for 2017 will be implemented as follows:
–  The salaries of the current Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer are not 
being increased for 2017 and remain at £982,300 and £750,000, respectively.

–  The salary of the Group Finance Director is being increased by 2.5% to 

£585,275 with effect from 1 January 2017.

–  The salary of the President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc. 
is being increased by 3.0% to $1,023,000 with effect from 1 January 2017. 
–  Annual and Long-Term Incentive opportunity levels remain in line with 2014 

approved Policy.

–  The performance measures and weightings for 2017 for the Annual Incentive 

and Long-Term Incentives are set out on pages 101 and 103, respectively.

–  The Committee is of the view that bonus targets for the Annual Incentive are 
commercially sensitive and that it would be detrimental to the Company to 
disclose them in advance. The targets will be disclosed retrospectively after 
the end of the relevant financial year. 

–  The fee for the Chairman has been reviewed and is being increased from 

1 February 2017 to £700,000 per annum. This fee will not be reviewed for 
a three-year term.

On 22 February 2017, the Company announced that Ian King would be retiring as 
Chief Executive on 30 June 2017 (see page 91 for related arrangements) and that 
Charles Woodburn, Chief Operating Officer, would be appointed as Chief Executive 
with effect from 1 July 2017. On becoming Chief Executive, Charles Woodburn’s 
base salary will increase to £875,000 per annum. All other provisions of his 
remuneration package will be as set out in the Company’s current remuneration 
policy in respect of the Chief Executive role.

The following decisions have been taken by the Non-Executive Directors’ Fees 
Committee (the composition of which is detailed on page 98):

–  The fee structure for non-executive directors has been reviewed and is being 
increased for the first time since 2012 with effect from 1 April 2017 as follows:
–  Basic fee to be increased from £75,000 to £80,000 per annum.
–  Senior Independent Director’s fee to be increased from £20,000 to £25,000 

per annum.

–  Remuneration Committee Chairman’s fee to be increased from £20,000 

to £25,000 per annum.

–  Corporate Responsibility Committee Chairman’s fee to be increased from 

£20,000 to £25,000 per annum.

–  Audit Committee Chairman’s fee to remain unchanged at £25,000 per annum.
–  Travel allowance of £4,500 per meeting, payable on each occasion that 

a scheduled Board meeting necessitates air travel of more than five hours 
(one way), subject to a maximum of six travel allowances per year, to 
remain unchanged.

–  No further review of non-executive fees to be undertaken until 1 April 2020.

Contents
Directors’ remuneration in the 
year ending 31 December 2017 

Single total figure of remuneration:
–  for the Chairman and  

non-executive directors 
–  for the executive directors 

Annual bonus 

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)  
performance 

Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 
performance and Chief Executive pay 

Pay ratio of Chief Executive to 
average employee 

Relative importance of spend on pay 

Pension entitlements 

Executive director changes 

Share interests:
–  Scheme interests awarded during 

the financial year 

–  Description of share plans and 

summary of performance conditions 
–  Statement of directors’ shareholdings 

and share interests 

Statement of voting 

Remuneration Committee composition 
and advisers 

84

85
85

87

88

89

89

90

90

91

92

93

94

97

98

Non-Executive Directors’ Fees Committee  98

Remuneration policy
The Company’s current remuneration 
policy approved at the 2014 AGM is 
available on the Company’s website: 
baesystems.com

The Company’s proposed remuneration 
policy for approval at the 2017 AGM is 
detailed on pages 99 to 111.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201685

2015
£’000

650

n/a

87

86

115

126

61

106

Single total figure of remuneration

Single total figure of remuneration for the Chairman and non-executive directors

Fees

2016
£’000

650

69

75

75

95

120

n/a

95

2015
£’000

650

n/a

75

75

85

120

43

95

Benefits

2016
£’000

–

2

2

–

7

2

n/a

1

2015
£’000

–

n/a

8

2

7

2

4

2

Other

2016
£’000

2015
£’000

Total

2016
£’000

–

9

9

9

27

9

n/a

9

–

n/a

4

9

23

4

14

9

650

80

86

84

129

131

n/a

105

Chairman
Sir Roger Carr

Non-executive directors
E P L Corley1
H Green

C M Grigg

P Rosput Reynolds

N C Rose
C G Symon2
I P Tyler

1. Appointed to the Board on 1 February 2016.
2. Retired from the Board on 12 June 2015.

Chairman
Sir Roger Carr was appointed as Chairman on 1 February 2014 on a fixed annual fee of £650,000 throughout his initial 
three-year term as Chairman.

Non-executive directors
The fee structure for 2016 for the non-executive directors on a per annum basis was as follows: (i) Chairman, Audit Committee: 
£100,000; (ii) Chairman, Corporate Responsibility Committee: £95,000; (iii) Chairman, Remuneration Committee: £95,000; 
(iv) other non-executive directors: £75,000; and (v) additional fee for Senior Independent Director: £20,000. These amounts are 
shown in the ‘Fees’ column above. A travel allowance of £4,500 per meeting is also paid on each occasion that a non-executive 
director’s travel necessitates air travel of more than five hours (one way) to the meeting location, subject to a maximum of six 
travel allowances per year. These amounts are shown in the ‘Other’ column. The amounts in the ‘Benefits’ column relate to travel 
expenses and subsistence; the amount for Chris Grigg in 2016 was £308.

The above table has been subject to audit. 

Single total figure of remuneration for the executive directors
Base salary

Taxable benefits1

Bonus2

LTIP3

Pension4

Other5

Total

2016
£’000

2015
£’000

2016
£’000

2015
£’000

2016
£’000

2015
£’000

2016
£’000

2015
£’000

2016
£’000

2015
£’000

2016
£’000

2015
£’000

2016
£’000

2015
£’000

I G King

C N Woodburn*6

P J Lynas

J DeMuro7

982

486

571

736

963

n/a

557

637

47

17

34

25

47

n/a

39

23

1,820

1,569

823

752

n/a

659

1,531

1,223

–

n/a

–

–

–

n/a

–

–

613

95

405

12

349

n/a

396

10

1

1,621

1

693

1

n/a

–

3,463

2,929

3,042

n/a

1,763

1,651

657

2,997

2,550

* Appointed to the Board on 9 May 2016.

The above table has been subject to audit.

1.   The benefits received by Ian King include the provision of a car allowance and the private use of a chauffeur-driven car 

(2016 £47k; 2015 £47k). The benefits received by Charles Woodburn include the provision of a car allowance and the private 
use of a chauffeur-driven car (2016 £17k; 2015 n/a). The benefits received by Peter Lynas include the provision of a car 
allowance and the private use of a chauffeur-driven car (2016 £19k; 2015 £17k). In addition, Peter Lynas received a second 
residence allowance of £15k (2015 £22k) on the basis disclosed in previous years. Jerry DeMuro’s benefits include private use 
of a chauffeur-driven car and parking (2016 £4k; 2015 £4k); medical and dental benefits (2016 £12k; 2015 £11k); insured life 
and disability benefits (2016 £8k; 2015 £7k); and the private use of a company aircraft (2016 £1k; 2015 £1k).

2.   Further detail on bonus payments is provided on page 87. One-third of the net bonus paid to Ian King, Charles Woodburn, 

Peter Lynas and Jerry DeMuro will be deferred compulsorily into BAE Systems shares for a three-year period, without 
additional performance conditions.

3.   This column relates to the estimated or actual value of Long-Term Incentive Plans for which the performance period ended 
in the relevant financial year. The 2014 PSPEPS award (for which the performance period ended on 31 December 2016) did 
not meet the Earnings per Share (EPS) performance condition and will lapse. The 2014 PSPTSR and ExSOP2012 awards (for which 
the performance periods also ended on 31 December 2016) did not meet their TSR performance condition and will lapse.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201686

Annual remuneration report 
continued

4.  The figures for Ian King and Peter Lynas in this column reflect defined benefit arrangements and have been calculated in line with 
the method set out in Section 229 of the Finance Act 2004 using a capitalisation factor of 20 to assess the increase in the value of 
the pension promise over the year, net of inflation. Therefore, these figures are sensitive to salary increases and Consumer Prices 
Index (CPI) inflation as follows:
–  Salary increase: Pensionable salary is averaged over three years. The differential between the 2016 and prior year figures for 

Ian King reflects his first salary increase in 2016 since 2012.

–  CPI inflation: In a year with high CPI inflation, the increase in the value of the pension promise would be lower than in a year 

with lower CPI inflation. For the 2016 figures, the reference CPI inflation has been floored at 0%.

 The figures for Charles Woodburn relate to a salary supplement in lieu of Company pension contributions.

 The figures for Jerry DeMuro include company contributions paid into his Section 401(k) defined contribution arrangement.

5.  This column includes (i) the value of Free Share awards under the UK all-employee Share Incentive Plan (SIP) of £530 for Ian King, 
Peter Lynas and half this amount for Charles Woodburn, and Matching Shares under voluntary investment in the SIP for Ian King 
and Charles Woodburn; (ii) for Charles Woodburn, the cash payment of £1,620,000 to recognise forfeited compensation from 
his previous employer, as set out in note 6 below; and (iii) for Jerry DeMuro, the value of the 2016 grant of Restricted Shares. 
This award formed part of Jerry DeMuro’s 2016 LTIP allocation but is required to be reported under ‘Other’ as it has no 
performance conditions attached; his prior year figure relates to a similar Restricted Shares award in 2015.

6.  As previously reported, Charles Woodburn was appointed as Chief Operating Officer on 9 May 2016 and joined the Board as 

an executive director on the same date. His salary on appointment was £750,000, with a maximum bonus opportunity of 200% 
of salary, of which one-third will be deferred in shares for a period of three years. He also receives LTIP awards at the following 
levels: Performance Share award of 230% of salary and Share Option award of 300% of salary as described on pages 102 and 
103. In addition, he received the following awards to take into account the fair value of the awards being forfeited which 
significantly extend the vesting/holding period of the incentives being given up: 
(i)   cash payment of £1,620,000 in respect of incentives earned and payable within six months, of which 50% of this net amount 

must be used to purchase BAE Systems shares within 120 days following payment. Due to BAE Systems being in a closed period 
from 1 January until the announcement of the Company’s results on 23 February, the Remuneration Committee agreed to 
extend the period in which Charles is required to buy the shares to the end of February 2017. These shares must continue to 
be held in accordance with BAE Systems’ Minimum Shareholding Requirement (which has been set at 200% in respect of his 
appointment); and

(ii)   a one-off grant of Performance Shares equal to 266% of salary, subject to the same performance conditions applicable to 

awards made under the LTIP as set out on page 92 with vesting in equal tranches of one-third in 2019, one-third in 2020 and 
the final third in 2021.

  His pension arrangements are set out on page 91. 

7.   Jerry DeMuro is paid in US dollars with the disclosed figures above being converted into sterling at the required exchange rate. 

The 2016 salary figure reflects his 2.5% salary increase and the exchange rate fluctuations experienced in 2016.

Note: On 22 February 2017, the Company announced that Ian King would be retiring as Chief Executive on 30 June 2017 and that 
Charles Woodburn, Chief Operating Officer, would be appointed as Chief Executive with effect from 1 July 2017. See page 91 for 
related details.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
87

Annual bonus
Annual bonuses for the 2016 year are paid in March 2017. Annual bonus is made up of financial metrics, safety and personal objectives, designed 
to support the achievement of certain strategic outcomes necessary for sustaining the Group’s long-term vitality. The breakdown of bonus measures, 
achievement and pay-out for each executive director is shown below. One-third of the net bonus payment is subject to compulsory deferral into 
BAE Systems shares for a three-year period, for which there is no additional performance condition.

Chief Executive

Measures

Financial Group EPS

Group cash

Group order intake

Personal

Safety

Key strategic objectives

Chief Operating Officer

Measures

Financial Group EPS

Group cash

Group order intake

Personal

Safety

Key strategic objectives

Group Finance Director

Measures

Financial Group EPS

Group cash

Group order intake

Personal

Safety

Key strategic objectives

Weight (as a 
percentage 
of target)

Actual performance against targets set

Below

Threshold

Target

Stretch

40.0

25.0

15.0

5.0

15.0

Weight (as a 
percentage 
of target)

Actual performance against targets set

Below

Threshold

Target

Stretch

40.0

25.0

15.0

5.0

15.0

Weight (as a 
percentage 
of target)

Actual performance against targets set

Below

Threshold

Target

Stretch

40.0

25.0

15.0

5.0

15.0

President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.

Measures

Financial Group EPS

Group cash

Group order intake

BAE Systems, Inc. profit

BAE Systems, Inc. cash

BAE Systems, Inc. order intake

Personal

Safety

Key strategic objectives

Weight (as a 
percentage 
of target)

Actual performance against targets set

Below

Threshold

Target

Stretch

13.3

8.3

5.0

26.7

16.7

10.0

5.0

15.0

Threshold 
for 2016

37.0p

Target 
for 2016

38.0p

Stretch 
for 2016

Actual
performance1

40.0p

38.5p

£(2,602)m £(2,336)m £(1,805)m £(1,386)m

n/a

£19.5bn

£20.2bn

£20.9bn

See note 2 below

See note 3 below

Total bonus (as a percentage of maximum)

Threshold 
for 2016

37.0p

Target 
for 2016

38.0p

Stretch 
for 2016

Actual
performance1

40.0p

38.5p

£(2,602)m £(2,336)m £(1,805)m £(1,386)m

n/a

£19.5bn

£20.2bn

£20.9bn

See note 2 below

See note 3 below

Total bonus (as a percentage of maximum)

Threshold 
for 2016

37.0p

Target 
for 2016

38.0p

Stretch 
for 2016

Actual
performance1

40.0p

38.5p

£(2,602)m £(2,336)m £(1,805)m £(1,386)m

n/a

£19.5bn

£20.2bn

£20.9bn

See note 2 below

See note 3 below

Total bonus (as a percentage of maximum)

Threshold 
for 2016

37.0p

Target 
for 2016

38.0p

Stretch 
for 2016

Actual
performance1

40.0p

38.5p

£(2,602)m £(2,336)m £(1,805)m £(1,386)m

n/a

£19.5bn

£20.2bn

$1,051m $1,070m

$1,124m

£20.9bn

$1,130m

$1,706m $1,777m

$1,918m

$2,100m

n/a

$9.8bn

$10.2bn

$10.5bn

See note 2 below

See note 3 below

Total bonus (as a percentage of maximum)

Percentage 
of maximum 
opportunity

62.5%

100.0%

100.0%

90.0%

85.5%

82.3%

Percentage 
of maximum 
opportunity

62.5%

100.0%

100.0%

90.0%

85.5%

82.3%

Percentage 
of maximum 
opportunity

62.5%

100.0%

100.0%

90.0%

85.5%

82.3%

Percentage 
of maximum 
opportunity

62.5%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

85.5%

92.8%

The above table has been subject to audit.

1. Adjusted to be on a like-for-like basis with the targets.
2. Performance against the safety element of the bonus was determined by the Corporate Responsibility Committee taking account of the level of significant risk reduction and 

improvement in safety culture, as well as targeted improvements against key safety indicators including an improvement in recordable accidents. The US business demonstrated stretch 
performance against each of these factors, resulting in a maximum award against this element of the bonus in the case of the President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.

3. Achievement of key strategic objectives is determined by the Remuneration Committee based on performance against a combination of base and premier objectives relating 
to the delivery of the Group’s strategic objectives and demonstration of leadership behaviours. The assessment of the key strategic objectives for each director is as follows:

  –  Chief Executive Ian King was, among other things, tasked with goals relating to growing the order book, facilitating major programme awards and preparing the organisation 

for leadership succession. With the exception of obtaining certain export awards within 2016, he substantially met the goals as agreed.

  –  Chief Operating Officer Charles Woodburn successfully completed his induction into the Group, assumed full operating responsibility for certain businesses and worked 

collaboratively with Ian King and the Board on a robust succession plan that has led to an agreed timetable for his transition to the role of Chief Executive.

  –  Group Finance Director Peter Lynas delivered robust financial statements and results as well as achieving objectives relating to the Group’s pension schemes and investor relations. 

He continues to work on reducing the extent of certain outstanding legacy financial issues against which provisions are held and have been reduced progressively.

  –  President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc. Jerry DeMuro successfully managed the underlying cost base of the US business, thereby improving future competitiveness, 
as well as achieving contract wins. He also met objectives concerning the strategic development of BAE Systems, Inc. and developing domestic and international portfolio positions. 
The majority of the US businesses met or exceeded plan, leading to BAE Systems, Inc. meeting stretch targets overall.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201688

Annual remuneration report 
continued

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) performance
Annual average EPS growth

Outperformance of performance conditions ending on 31 December 2016

Threshold

Maximum

2016 EPS requirement

Annual average EPS growth

Relative TSR against comparator group

48.1p

5%

55.6p

11%

Outperformance of performance conditions ending on 31 December 2016

Threshold

Maximum

TSR against comparator group

76.4%

113.2%

The following awards had performance periods that ended on 31 December 2016:

Actual

40.1p

<5%

Percentage of  
maximum achieved

0%

Actual

49.1%

Percentage of  
maximum achieved

0%

2014 Performance Share Plan (PSP) 
–  Performance conditions: half on relative TSR against comparator group, half on EPS growth of 5% to 11% per annum. 
The TSR performance condition ended on 31 December 2016 resulted in nil vesting and, accordingly, the TSR portion 
will lapse. The EPS growth was not achieved and, accordingly, this portion will lapse. 

2014 Executive Share Option Plan (ExSOP2012)
–  Performance condition: relative TSR against comparator group. The TSR performance condition ended on 31 December 

2016 and the option will lapse as the performance condition was not met.

A summary of TSR performance to 31 December 2016 on outstanding TSR-related LTIP awards is illustrated in the 
chart below.

The dark grey boxes show the range of TSR required for 25% vesting to full vesting and the orange boxes show 
BAE Systems’ TSR. The proportion that would vest is shown in the boxes at the top of the chart.

TSR performance under the TSR-related awards as at 31 December 2016

0% vesting

0% vesting

69.6% vesting

120%

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

26 March 2014
award

25 March 2015
award

25 March 2016
award

Median to top 20% TSR
BAE Systems’ TSR

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201689

Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance and Chief Executive pay
The graph below shows the value by 31 December 2016, on a TSR basis, of £100 invested in BAE Systems on 31 December 
2008 compared with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE 100 index, including the effect of dividends. The FTSE 100 
is considered to be an appropriate comparator for this purpose as it is a broad equity index of which BAE Systems is a 
constituent member and reflects the investment interests of our UK shareholder base. The equivalent data is shown for 
the sectoral TSR comparator group of other international defence companies which is of relevance to our international 
shareholder base.

Value at 31 December 2016 of £100 investment at 31 December 2008

BAE Systems
FTSE 100
Sectoral TSR comparator group

£350

£300

£250

£200

£150

£100

£50

£0

Change in Chief Executive’s 
remuneration over eight years
Chief Executive’s single figure (£’000)

2008

2008

2009

2009

2010

2010

2011

2011

2012

2012

2013

2013

2014

2014

2015

2015

2016

2016

4,030

4,810

4,613

2,574

2,499

3,519

2,929

3,463

Bonus paid as a percentage of maximum

83.0% 71.0% 68.6% 55.6% 53.4% 74.3% 72.4% 82.3%

LTI as a percentage of maximum vesting

65.5% 57.6% 44.3%

nil

nil

16.8%

nil

nil

Note: Total remuneration includes the value of share plans vesting that were granted prior to appointment as Chief Executive.

The percentage change from 2015 to 2016 in remuneration of the Chief Executive and average UK employee was 
as follows:

Salary

Benefits

Bonus

Change in
Chief Executive’s
remuneration
%

+2.0

+3.5

+15.9

Change in
average UK employee1
remuneration
%

+2.9

+2.9

+12.9

1. The BAE Systems UK employee population has been chosen as this employee comparator group reflects the local employment conditions of the 

Chief Executive for the purpose of this comparison.

Pay ratio of Chief Executive to average employee
The ratio of remuneration of the Chief Executive to the average employee of the entire Group over the last three years 
was as follows:

Chief Executive’s remuneration1 (£’000)

Average employee remuneration2 (£’000)

Ratio

2014

3,519

58

60:1

2015

2,929

62

47:1

2016

3,463

67

52:1

1. The Chief Executive’s remuneration is calculated on the same basis as the single figure of remuneration table.
2. Average employee remuneration is based on staff costs calculated on the same basis as note 3 to the Group accounts, excluding social security costs 

and US healthcare costs.

The Committee is mindful of the relationship between Chief Executive remuneration and remuneration of the wider 
BAE Systems employee population. Therefore, in line with our commitment to transparency, the table above provides 
the ratio of remuneration of the Chief Executive to the average employee of the Group for the past three years. As can 
be seen, the ratio has typically been around 50:1, with the ratio being higher in 2014 as a result of the partial vesting 
of Long-Term Incentive awards in that year. The ratio could range from around 20:1 to 100:1 depending on the level of 
performance against the measures which drive the Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plans.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201690

Annual remuneration report 
continued

Relative importance of spend on pay
The following charts set out underlying EBITA1, amounts paid in returns to shareholders, total employee costs and 
average headcount for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 2016.

Underlying EBITA1 (£m)

Returns to shareholders (£m)

 +13%

2016

2015

 +1%

2016

2015

1,905

1,683

Total employee costs (£m)

Average headcount3 (’000)

 +8%

2016

2015

 0%

2016

2015

5,440

5,052

670
6622

76
76

1. Profit for the year before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance costs and taxation expense (EBITA) excluding non-recurring items 

(see page 25).

2. Includes share buyback of £7m.
3. Excluding share of equity accounted investments.

Pension entitlements
Total pension entitlements

Director

Ian King

Charles Woodburn

Peter Lynas

Jerry DeMuro

Age

60

45

58

61

Normal 
retirement
age

Accrued
benefit at
1 January 20161,2,3,4
£ per annum

Accrued
benefit at

31 December 20161,2,3,4
£ per annum

62

65

62

65

826,209

–

436,487

51,291

861,168

7,270

459,220

99,884

Figures included in the remuneration table on page 85

Added pension
 value received in 
the year from 
defined 
benefit
scheme2
£

Added pension 
value received in 
the year from 
defined 
contribution 
scheme
£

612,894

–

404,517

–

–

–

–

12,030

Total
£

612,894

–

404,517

12,030

1. Ian King and Peter Lynas have accrued defined benefit pensions which are reduced if they are taken before normal retirement age. In addition, 

a longevity adjustment factor is applied to their pension accrued after 5 April 2006 to mitigate against life expectancy changes. Their figures allow 
for the current factors in force, whereas in practice the factors are updated annually and those in force at retirement will be applied.

2. The defined benefit figure includes both funded and unfunded arrangements for Ian King and Peter Lynas.
3. Peter Lynas’ accrued benefit will be restated next year to allow for the impact of his divorce, once finalised. However, the added pension value 

received in 2016 will be unaffected.

4. Accrued benefit for Ian King and Peter Lynas is annual pension payable on retirement. Accrued benefit for Jerry DeMuro is the total value of his 

Section 401(k) account, including both employee and company contributions as well as investment returns. Accrued benefit for Charles Woodburn 
is the total value of his defined contribution account, including employee contributions and investment returns.

The above table has been subject to audit.

Ian King and Peter Lynas are members of the BAE Systems Executive Pension Scheme (ExPS) and the BAE Systems 2000 
Pension Plan (2000 Plan) which together provide a pension for executive directors payable at 62 of 1/30th of three-year 
average final salary for each year of service subject to the payment of members’ contributions (currently 8%). Benefits 
paid prior to age 62 will be subject to actuarial reduction.

The ExPS tops up the underlying employee plan to provide a target benefit for executive directors payable from normal 
retirement age of 1/30th of Final Pensionable Pay (FPP) for each year of ExPS pensionable service (subject to a maximum 
of two-thirds of FPP). FPP is defined as annual base salary averaged over the last 12 months prior to leaving service in 
respect of service accrued to 5 April 2006 and 36 months prior to leaving in respect of service from 6 April 2006. The 
ExPS also provides a lump sum death-in-service benefit equal to four times base salary at date of death, and a spouse’s 
death-in-service pension equal to two-thirds of the prospective pension at normal retirement age. Spouses’ pensions 
are also payable upon death in retirement and death after leaving the Company’s employment with a deferred pension. 
Once in payment, pensions are increased annually by the rise in the Retail Prices Index subject to a maximum increase of 
5% per year in respect of pre-6 April 2006 service and 2.5% per year in respect of service from 6 April 2006. Ian King 
and Peter Lynas joined the ExPS in 1999.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201691

The 2000 Plan provides a pension of 1/50th of Final Pensionable Earnings (FPE) for each year of pensionable service, 
payable from a normal retirement age of 65 and members pay contributions of 8% of Pensionable Earnings. FPE under 
the 2000 Plan is the best consecutive three-year average of base salary and bonus in the ten Plan Years prior to leaving, 
less an offset for State pensions. The Company decided in 2006 to limit pensionable bonuses in the 2000 Plan in the 
2006/07 Plan Year to 20% of base salary and to 10% of base salary for the 2007/08 Plan Year and thereafter. However, 
there is a guarantee that the FPE figure for benefits in respect of service prior to 6 April 2007 will not be less than the 
FPE figure at 5 April 2007 to ensure that employees do not lose the benefit of contributions paid on past bonuses. 
Ian King and Peter Lynas have 33 years and 6 months and 31 years and 2 months service, respectively, in the 2000 Plan.

The review of pension policies carried out in 2010 by the Committee concluded that the pension benefits should 
continue to be based on the Company’s registered pension schemes and that, in appropriate circumstances, the 
Company will continue to have the option to offer an unfunded pension promise so as to mitigate the impact of further 
reductions to the Lifetime Allowance and the impact of the reduced Annual Allowance. Ian King and Peter Lynas were 
given the choice to remain in the current arrangement and pay the increased tax or to take an unfunded promise; they 
both elected for the latter. The Committee has decided that in cases where the Company is to pay an unfunded promise, 
executives will be given the choice to commute some or all of the benefit for a taxable lump sum, or take it as pension. 
Where an unfunded pension is taken, ten years after retirement, the executive will be given a further opportunity to 
commute the residual value of the unfunded pension for a lump sum.

Therefore, Ian King’s and Peter Lynas’ individual total pensions are the sum of their 2000 Plan benefits plus the top-up 
from the ExPS, most of which is provided through the unfunded promise referred to above.

Jerry DeMuro participates in a Section 401(k) defined contribution arrangement set up for US employees in which 
the company will match his contributions up to a maximum contribution of 6% of salary, up to US regulatory limits 
(2016 $15,900; 2017 $16,200). In 2016, the company paid contributions of $14,867 into this arrangement. 

Charles Woodburn participates in the BAE Systems Executive Pension Scheme Defined Contribution Retirement Plan 
(EPS DCRP), which is a defined contribution arrangement for senior executives. Charles Woodburn contributes the 
maximum £10,000 per annum into the EPS DCRP arrangement as permitted by the Annual Allowance limit and a 19% 
salary supplement is paid in lieu of the Company contributions.

Executive director changes
As announced by the Company on 22 February 2017, the following arrangements will apply in relation to Ian King when he retires as a director 
and ceases employment on 30 June 2017. The arrangements are strictly in accordance with the Company’s remuneration policy, approved by 
shareholders at the AGM on 7 May 2014, and the rules of the Company’s 2000 Pension Plan and Executive Pension Scheme outlined in the 
2015 Annual Report.
(a)  Ian King’s retirement will constitute early retirement with Company consent for share plan and pension purposes and, accordingly:

(i)   he will be entitled to an immediate pension. Under the rules of the 2000 Pension Plan and Executive Pension Scheme, a pension 

of 1/30th of three-year final average salary for each year of service subject to the payment of members’ contributions (currently 8%) 
is payable at 62 years of age. Benefits paid prior to age 62 are subject to actuarial reduction, currently a reduction of 4% to annual 
benefits for each year that retirement takes place prior to age 62, with proportionate reductions applied in respect of part years. 
Mr. King will be 61 at the date of his retirement and his pension payments will be reduced accordingly;

(ii)   unvested share awards and options under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan will vest at the normal vesting date, subject to 

testing of the relevant performance conditions at the end of the normal performance period. Share awards will be reduced pro rata 
on the basis of complete months from the grant date to 30 June 2017. Any share options that vest will remain exercisable for a period 
of six months from the vesting date;

(iii) unvested deferred bonus awards will be preserved and will vest at the normal vesting dates; and
(iv)  vested share options awarded in 2012 under the Executive Share Option Plan will remain available to exercise in the six-month period 

from 1 July 2017. The award will lapse if not exercised during this period.

(b)  He will continue to be covered by the Company’s Directors’ and Officers’ insurance policy and his current director’s indemnification 

arrangements will remain in force;

(c)   He will continue to be bound by those provisions of his service agreement which continue to apply following cessation of employment, 

including post-termination restrictive covenants and confidentiality provisions;

(d)  He will be eligible for an Annual Incentive payment for 2017, determined by the Remuneration Committee, based on an assessment of 

individual and Company performance. Any bonus will be pro-rated for his six months of service during 2017 and will be paid at the normal 
date following the end of the 2017 financial year. One-third of the net bonus will be compulsorily deferred into shares in the normal way;

(e) No award will be granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan in 2017;
(f)  No termination payment will be payable; and
(g)  Taxable benefits comprising the provision of a car allowance and the private use of a chauffeur-driven car will cease from 30 June 2017.
On becoming Chief Executive, Charles Woodburn’s base salary will increase to £875,000 per annum. All other provisions of his remuneration 
package will be as set out in the Company’s remuneration policy in respect of the Chief Executive role. 

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
 
 
 
92

Annual remuneration report 
continued

External directorships
Fees retained in 2016 by executive directors during the period in which they served in that capacity in respect of 
non-executive directorships were: Peter Lynas £76,850 in respect of his directorship of SSE plc; and Jerry DeMuro 
$58,333 in respect of his directorship of Aero Communications, Inc. These amounts are not included in the 
remuneration table on page 85. Ian King’s non-executive directorship of Schroders plc commenced on 1 January 
2017 and, therefore, there are no fees to disclose for 2016.

Share interests
Scheme interests awarded during the financial year

Type of interest

Date of grant

Number 
of shares

Basis of award

Face value
of award1
£

Exercise 
price
£

Date to which 
performance 
is measured

Performance  
condition

Scheme

Ian King

LTIP PSTSR

LTIP PSEPS

Performance 
Shares/nil 
cost option

Performance 
Shares/nil 
cost option

23.03.16

246,165

125% of salary

1,227,871

23.03.16

246,166

125% of salary

1,227,876

nil

nil

LTIP SO

Share option

23.03.16

590,797

300% of salary

2,946,895

4.99

Charles Woodburn

LTIP PSTSR

LTIP PSEPS

Performance 
Shares/nil 
cost option

Performance 
Shares/nil 
cost option

06.09.16

334,833 See note 2 below

1,859,997

06.09.16

334,833 See note 2 below

1,859,997

nil

nil

LTIP SO

Share option

06.09.16

405,040

300% of salary2

2,249,997

5.56

Three years 
to 31.12.18

TSR/secondary 
financial measure

Three years 
to 31.12.18

EPS/secondary 
financial measure

Three years 
to 31.12.18

TSR/secondary 
financial measure 

Three years 
to 30.06.19

TSR/secondary 
financial measure

Three years 
to 31.12.18

EPS/secondary 
financial measure

Three years 
to 30.06.19

TSR/secondary 
financial measure 

Peter Lynas

LTIP PSTSR

LTIP PSEPS

Performance 
Shares/nil 
cost option

Performance 
Shares/nil 
cost option

23.03.16

123,060

107.5% of salary

613,823

23.03.16

123,060

107.5% of salary

613,823

nil

nil

Three years 
to 31.12.18

TSR/secondary 
financial measure

Three years 
to 31.12.18

EPS/secondary 
financial measure

LTIP SO

Share option

23.03.16

343,424

300% of salary

1,712,999

4.99

Three years 
to 31.12.18

TSR/secondary 
financial measure 

Three years 
to 31.12.18

Three years 
to 31.12.18

Three years 
to 31.12.18

TSR/secondary 
financial measure

EPS/secondary 
financial measure

TSR/secondary 
financial measure 

Jerry DeMuro

LTIP PSPTSR

LTIP PSEPS

LTIP SO

LTIP RS

Performance 
Shares

Performance 
Shares

23.03.16

168,203

121% of salary

838,997

23.03.16

168,203

121% of salary

838,997

n/a

n/a

Share option

23.03.16

542,143

390% of salary

2,704,209

4.99

Retention

23.03.16

139,011

100% of salary

693,387

n/a

n/a

n/a

1. The value of the award is calculated on the date of grant by reference to the middle market quotation at the close of the preceding day.
2. The 2016 award of Performance Shares made to Charles Woodburn comprises two elements as reported in the 2015 Annual remuneration report, 
these being: (i) his annual grant of Performance Shares equal to 230% of salary; and (ii) a one-off grant of Performance Shares equal to 266% of 
salary as part of the Company’s arrangements to buy out certain bonus and long-term incentives previously awarded by Charles Woodburn’s former 
employer and forfeited as a consequence of joining BAE Systems. The Share Option figure represents his annual grant, also as previously reported in 
the 2015 Annual remuneration report.

Key: LTIP – Long-Term Incentive Plan. PS – Performance Shares. SO – Share Options. RS – Restricted Shares.

Note: Performance Shares and Restricted Shares – Shares under award attract dividends prior to vesting. Performance Shares are intended to be free share 
awards and are structured as a nil cost option to give the participant more flexibility as to the timing of the benefit. For the US executive director, awards 
of Performance Shares are classified as contingent awards (rather than share options) and are deliverable on the third, fourth and fifth anniversary of 
grant, subject to attainment of the performance condition.

The table above has been subject to audit.

Percentage 
of interests 
receivable 
if minimum 
performance 
achieved

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

n/a

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201693

Description of share plans and summary of performance conditions
PSP/LTIP Performance Shares
Shares under award vest after satisfaction of the three-year performance condition. Shares under award attract dividends 
prior to vesting. Awards that vest are exercisable in three equal tranches between the third and seventh anniversary of 
vesting (being capable of exercise on a phased basis from the third, fourth and fifth anniversary of grant). For US 
participants, the awards are automatically delivered at the end of years three, four and five, subject to the performance 
condition being achieved. Since 2015, shares have been awarded under the LTIP (a single umbrella plan) that was 
approved at the 2014 AGM as detailed on page 101 and are termed ‘Performance Shares’.

Awards made to the UK executive directors since 2008, and to date to the current US executive director, have been 
weighted 50% on the PSPEPS performance condition and 50% on the PSPTSR performance condition. The TSR comparator 
groups are shown below.

Plan

Performance condition

LTIP PSEPS

PSPEPS 

PSPTSR/ 
LTIP PSTSR

For awards made from 2015, rate of average annual EPS growth over the three-year performance period, with 25% vesting 
at 3% average growth per annum, 50% vesting at 5% average growth per annum and 100% vesting at 7% average 
growth per annum, with vesting on a straight-line basis between these parameters. Awards will not vest unless the Board 
is satisfied that there has been a sustained improvement in the Company’s underlying financial performance. In taking 
such a view, the Committee may consider (but not exclusively) the following financial metrics: net cash/debt; order book; 
risk; and project performance.

Pre-2015, rate of average annual EPS growth over the three-year performance period, with nil vesting at 5% average 
growth per annum and 100% vesting at 11% average growth per annum, with vesting on a straight-line basis between 
these two parameters.

The proportion of the award capable of exercise is determined by:

(i)   for awards made up to and including 2015, the Company’s TSR (share price growth plus dividends) ranking relative to 
a comparator group of 12 other international defence companies over a three-year performance period. For awards 
made from 2016, 50% of the TSR measure on the current peer comparator group of 13 other international defence 
companies and 50% on a TSR percentile ranking against the companies in the FTSE 100 index. Under both the 
sectoral and FTSE 100 comparator groups, no shares vest if the Company’s TSR is below the top 50% of TSRs 
achieved by the comparator group, with 25% vesting at median, 100% vesting if it is in the top quintile and vesting 
on a straight-line basis between these two parameters; and

(ii)  whether there has been a sustained improvement in the Company’s underlying financial performance. In taking such 
a view, the Committee may consider (but not exclusively) the following financial metrics: net cash/debt; EBITA1; order 
book; turnover; risk; and project performance.

1. Profit for the year before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance costs and taxation expense.

The TSR peer comparator group for awards from 2016 comprises:

Cobham

General Dynamics

Harris Corporation

L-3 Communications

Leidos

Leonardo2
Lockheed Martin

Meggitt

Northrop Grumman

Raytheon

The TSR comparator group for awards from 2012 to 2015 comprises:

Cobham

General Dynamics
ITT Exelis3
L-3 Communications

Leonardo2
Lockheed Martin

Meggitt

Northrop Grumman

2. Formerly named Finmeccanica.
3. ITT Exelis is now part of Harris Corporation.

SAIC

Thales

United Technologies

Raytheon

SAIC

Thales

United Technologies

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201694

Annual remuneration report 
continued

ExSOP2012/LTIP Share Options
Options are normally exercisable between the third and tenth anniversary of their grant, subject to the performance 
condition set out below being achieved. Since 2015, shares have been awarded under the single umbrella plan (the 
Long-Term Incentive Plan) that was approved at the 2014 AGM as detailed on page 101 and are termed ‘Share Options’. 
Awards made from 2015 are subject to a further two-year clawback period after the initial three-year vesting period.

Plan

Performance condition

ExSOP2012/ 
LTIP SO

For awards made up to and including 2015, the proportion of the award capable of exercise is determined by the 
Company’s TSR (share price growth plus dividends) ranking relative to a comparator group of 12 other international 
defence companies over a three-year performance period. For awards made from 2016, 50% of the TSR measure on 
the current peer comparator group of 13 other international defence companies and 50% on a TSR percentile ranking 
against the companies in the FTSE 100 index. Under both the sectoral and FTSE 100 comparator groups, no shares vest 
if the Company’s TSR is below the top 50% of TSRs achieved by the comparator group, with 25% vesting at median, 
100% vesting if it is in the top quintile and vesting on a straight-line basis between these two parameters.

RSP/LTIP Restricted Shares
The RSP is not subject to a performance condition as it is designed to address retention issues principally in the US. 
The shares are subject only to the condition that the participant remains employed by the Group at the end of the 
vesting date (three years after the award date). Shares under award attract dividends prior to vesting. Since 2015, 
shares have been awarded under the single umbrella plan that was approved at the 2014 AGM as detailed on 
page 101 and are termed ‘Restricted Shares’. Awards made from 2015 are subject to a further two-year clawback 
period after the initial three-year vesting period.

Statement of directors’ shareholdings and share interests
Minimum Shareholding Requirement (MSR)
Executive directors are compulsorily required to establish and maintain a minimum personal shareholding equal to a 
set percentage of base salary. An Initial Value must be achieved as quickly as possible using shares vesting or options 
exercised through the executive share option schemes and Long-Term Incentive schemes by retaining 50% of the net 
value (i.e. the value after deduction of exercise costs and tax) of shares acquired under these schemes. Once the Initial 
Value is achieved, a Subsequent Value must be achieved in the same way, except that a minimum of 25% of the net 
value must be retained on each exercise or acquisition. Shares owned beneficially by the director and his/her spouse 
count towards the MSR. The MSR does not apply after the individual has ceased to be a director. Any case of 
non-compliance would be dealt with by the Committee. 

The following table sets out MSR Initial Value and Subsequent Value: 

Ian King

Charles Woodburn

Peter Lynas

Jerry DeMuro

Initial Value

Subsequent Value

150%

100%

100%

175%

300%

200%

200%

350%

Ian King and Peter Lynas were both in excess of their ‘Subsequent Value’ MSR at 31 December 2016. Jerry DeMuro 
joined the Board in 2014 and his personal holding of shares in the Company at 31 December 2016 stood at 53%. The 
higher MSR values applicable to Jerry DeMuro recognise the higher LTI opportunity and broader US market practice. 
Charles Woodburn joined the Board in May 2016 and his personal shareholding in the Company at 31 December 2016 
stood at 21%.

There are no shareholding requirements for the Chairman or the non-executive directors.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201695

Share interests as at 31 December 2016
The interests of the directors, who served during the year ended 31 December 2016, in the shares of BAE Systems plc, 
or scheme interests in relation to those shares, were as follows: 

Shares

Scheme interests: Options and awards over shares

Sir Roger Carr

E P L Corley1

J DeMuro

H Green

C M Grigg

I G King

P J Lynas

P Rosput Reynolds

N C Rose

I P Tyler

C N Woodburn2

92,224

10,000

72,250

–

24,555

1,862,821

206,263

25,200

55,000

–

26,654

Share awards 
with performance

Share awards 
without performance

Share options 
with performance

–

–

–

–

–

–

968,163

400,067

1,560,265

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,364,475

1,811,726

–

–

–

1,074,706

Share options 
with performance, 
vested but 
unexercised

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
scheme 
interests

–

–

2,928,495

–

–

256,279

3,620,754

–

–

–

–

–

1,811,726

–

–

–

1,074,706

1. Appointed to the Board on 1 February 2016. 
2. Appointed to the Board on 9 May 2016. 

The above table has been subject to audit.

The interests of directors include those of their connected persons. The shares held by Paula Rosput Reynolds are 
represented by 6,300 American Depositary Shares. Details of the share interests in options and awards held by the 
executive directors as at 31 December 2016 are given on page 96 and details of share options exercised in 2016 are 
given on page 97.

Awards under the PSP and Performance Shares granted under the LTIP are classified as share awards with performance 
for the US executive director and as share options with performance for the UK executive directors.

Since 31 December 2016, Ian King has acquired an additional 65 shares under the Partnership and Matching shares 
elements of the Share Incentive Plan and Charles Woodburn has acquired an additional 73 shares under the Partnership 
and Matching shares elements of the Share Incentive Plan so that their beneficial shareholdings at the date of this report 
stood at 1,862,886 and 26,727, respectively.

There have been no changes in the interests of the remaining directors in the shares of BAE Systems plc between 
31 December 2016 and the date of this report.

Since the date of this report, Ian King has exercised an option over the 256,279 shares shown as vested but unexercised 
in the table above; the resulting shares were disposed of thus his beneficial shareholding as at 23 February 2017 remained 
at 1,862,886. In addition, Charles Woodburn has acquired a further 46,569 shares taking his beneficial shareholding as 
at 24 February 2017 to 73,296 shares; this acquisition completed the purchase of shares required to be made from the 
cash payment referred to in paragraph 6(i) on page 86.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201696

Annual remuneration report 
continued

Breakdown of scheme interests: Options and awards held as at 31 December 2016

Ian King

PSPTSR

PSPTSR

PSPEPS

LTIP PSTSR

LTIP PSEPS

LTIP PSTSR

LTIP PSEPS

ExSOP2012

ExSOP2012

LTIP SO

LTIP SO

31 December 
2016

Date of  
grant

Exercise  
price 
£

Date from which 
exercisable or part 
exercisable

31 December 
2016

Date of  
grant

Exercise  
price 
£

Date from which 
exercisable or part 
exercisable

Peter Lynas

17,7971

292,5422

292,5432

221,9003

221,9013

246,1653

246,1663

1,539,014

256,2794

702,1022

532,5623

590,7973

2,081,740

29.03.12

26.03.14

26.03.14

25.03.15

25.03.15

23.03.16

23.03.16

29.03.12

26.03.14

25.03.15

23.03.16

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

3.01

4.12

5.43

4.99

29.03.17

26.03.17

26.03.17

PSPTSR

PSPTSR

PSPEPS

25.03.18

LTIP PSTSR

25.03.18

LTIP PSEPS

23.03.19

LTIP PSTSR

23.03.19

LTIP PSEPS

29.03.15

ExSOP2012

26.03.17

LTIP SO

25.03.18

LTIP SO

10,0901

142,6362

142,6372

110,3733

110,3733

123,0603

123,0603

762,229

398,0552

308,0183

343,4243

29.03.12

26.03.14

26.03.14

25.03.15

25.03.15

23.03.16

23.03.16

26.03.14

25.03.15

23.03.16

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

4.12

5.43

4.99

29.03.17

26.03.17

26.03.17

25.03.18

25.03.18

23.03.19

23.03.19

26.03.17

25.03.18

23.03.19

23.03.19

1,049,497

Jerry DeMuro

Charles Woodburn

31 December  
2016

334,8333

334,8333

669,666

405,0403

Date of  
grant

06.09.16

06.09.16

Exercise  
price 
£

Date from which 
exercisable or part 
exercisable

nil

nil

06.09.19

06.09.19

06.09.16

5.56

06.09.19

LTIP PSTSR

LTIP PSEPS

LTIP SO

PSPTSR

PSPEPS

LTIP PSTSR

LTIP PSEPS

LTIP PSTSR

LTIP PSEPS

ExSOP2012

LTIP SO

LTIP SO

RSP

LTIP RS

LTIP RS

31 December 
2016

Date of  
grant

Exercise  
price 
£

Date from which 
exercisable or part 
exercisable

169,2582

169,2582

146,6203

146,6213

168,2033

168,2033

968,163

545,5432

472,5793

542,1433

1,560,265

139,882

121,174

139,011

400,067

26.03.14

26.03.14

25.03.15

25.03.15

23.03.16

23.03.16

26.03.14

25.03.15

23.03.16

26.03.14

25.03.15

23.03.16

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

4.12

5.43

4.99

n/a

n/a

n/a

26.03.17

26.03.17

25.03.18

25.03.18

23.03.19

23.03.19

26.03.17

25.03.18

23.03.19

26.03.17

25.03.18

23.03.19

1. Exercisable on the fifth anniversary of grant.
2. The outstanding option or award will lapse after the end of the financial year having not met the full performance condition.
3. Subject to a performance condition that is yet to be tested.
4. Vested but unexercised.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201697

Options exercised during 2016

Ian King

PSPTSR

Exercised 
during the 
year

17,797

Exercise 
price
£

Date of  
grant

Date of  
exercise

Market price
on exercise
£

nil

29.03.12

11.05.16

4.92

PSPTSR

Exercised 
during the 
year

10,090

Exercise 
price
£

Date of  
grant

Date of 
exercise

Market price
on exercise
£

nil

29.03.12

17.06.16

4.84

Peter Lynas

The PSP option exercised by Ian King attracted reinvested dividends which equated to an 
additional 2,825 shares.

The PSP option exercised by Peter Lynas attracted reinvested dividends which equated to an 
additional 1,601 shares.

The tables on page 96 and above have been subject to audit.

Performance conditions
Performance conditions for the LTIP, PSP and ExSOP2012 are detailed on pages 93 and 94.

Statement of voting
Shareholder voting on the resolutions to approve the Directors’ remuneration policy put to the 2014 AGM and the 
Annual remuneration report put to the 2016 AGM was as follows:

Directors’ remuneration policy

Votes for

2,141,307,622

%

92.95

Votes against

162,437,084

Annual remuneration report

Votes for

2,321,944,825

%

94.89

Votes against

125,150,986

%

7.05

%

5.11

Total votes cast

2,303,744,706

Total votes cast

2,447,095,811

Votes withheld 
(abstentions)

19,304,785

Votes withheld 
(abstentions)

1,125,734

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 201698

Annual remuneration report 
continued

Remuneration Committee composition and advisers
The Committee members comprise Paula Rosput Reynolds (Chairman), Elizabeth Corley (appointed to the Committee 
on 1 February 2016) and Nick Rose. Chris Grigg stepped down from the Committee on 16 February 2016. Advisers to 
the Remuneration Committee are shown below.

Adviser

Services provided

Willis Towers Watson 
(WTW)

Kepler  
(part of Mercer)

Linklaters

PricewaterhouseCoopers 
(PwC)

Appointed in May 2016 
to advise the Committee 
members on remuneration 
matters, including 
independent advice on the 
information and proposals 
presented to the Committee 
by Company executives.

Until May 2016, advised 
Committee members on 
remuneration matters, 
including independent 
advice on the information 
and proposals presented 
to the Committee by 
Company executives.

Provided legal services, 
principally regarding 
remuneration policy 
regulations.

Provides information on 
market practice in relation 
to different aspects of 
remuneration, market trends 
and benchmarking of the 
remuneration packages for 
the executive population.

Appointment

Committee 
appointment.

Fees

£79,140

Fee basis: Hourly

Governance

WTW engages directly with the members of 
the Committee.

The Committee is aware that WTW provides a 
variety of other services to the Company, including 
corporate risk management advice and insurance 
brokerage services.

WTW also provides a range of HR consultancy 
services related to human capital management 
and employee benefits.

WTW is a member of the Remuneration Consultants 
Group (RCG) and is a signatory to the RCG’s code 
of conduct.

Committee 
appointment.

Kepler engaged directly with the members of 
the Committee.

£9,263

Fee basis: Hourly

By the Company 
with the approval 
of the Committee.

By the Company 
at the request of 
the Committee.

Kepler did not undertake any other work for 
the Company.

Kepler is a member of the Remuneration Consultants 
Group (RCG) and is a signatory to the RCG’s code 
of conduct.

Only provides legal compliance, legal drafting and 
review services, and does not advise the Committee.

The Committee is aware that Linklaters is one of 
a number of legal firms that provides legal advice 
and services to the Company on a range of matters. 

Linklaters is regulated by the Law Society.

The Committee is aware that PwC provides a variety 
of other services to the Company, including tax and 
pensions advice. PwC also provides a range of 
consultancy services.

The nature of the advice provided to the Committee 
is primarily related to market comparator information 
and does not include advice on the design of 
remuneration policy.

PwC is a member of the Remuneration Consultants 
Group (RCG) and is a signatory to the RCG’s code 
of conduct.

The Committee is aware that New Bridge Street 
provides a variety of other HR-related services to 
the Company.

The nature of the advice provided to the Committee 
is limited to factual information concerning the 
performance of the Company’s shares.

New Bridge Street is a member of the Remuneration 
Consultants Group (RCG) and is a signatory to the 
RCG’s code of conduct.

£6,598 (in respect 
of services provided 
to the Committee)

Fee basis: Hourly

£75,500 (in respect 
of services provided 
to the Committee)

Fee basis: Hourly

£10,850 (in respect 
of services provided 
to the Committee)

Fee basis: Fixed fee

New Bridge Street 
(part of Aon Hewitt)

By the Company.

Advises on the TSR outcomes 
as required for assessing the 
performance condition under 
the Performance Share Plan 
and LTIP 2014.

During the year, the Committee received material assistance and advice on remuneration policy from the Group Human 
Resources Director, Lynn Minella, and the Human Resources Director, Reward, Paul Farley. Ian King, Chief Executive, also 
provided advice that was of material assistance to the Committee. 

Non-Executive Directors’ Fees Committee
The non-executive directors’ fees are set by the Non-Executive Directors’ Fees Committee which comprises Sir Roger Carr 
(Chairman), Philip Bramwell (Group General Counsel), Jerry DeMuro and Ian King.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 201699

Directors’ remuneration policy
for approval at the 2017 Annual General Meeting

This Directors’ remuneration policy (the Policy) will take legal effect from the conclusion of the 2017 Annual General 
Meeting (AGM) subject to shareholder approval at the 2017 AGM. 

The Remuneration Committee (the Committee) considers remuneration policy annually to ensure that it remains aligned 
with business needs and is appropriately positioned relative to the market. However, in the absence of exceptional or 
unexpected circumstances which may necessitate a change to the Policy, there is currently no intention to revise the 
Policy more frequently than every three years. We use target performance to estimate the total potential reward and 
benchmark it against reward packages paid by BAE Systems’ competitors.

The Policy is to set base salary with reference to the relevant market-competitive level. Actual total direct reward reflects 
the performance of the individual and the Company as a whole. The aim is to deliver an overall remuneration package for 
executive directors which provides an appropriate balance between short-term and long-term reward and between fixed 
and variable reward as described in the table below.

Whilst our Long-Term Incentive Plan provides the Committee with discretion in respect of vesting outcomes that affect the 
actual level of reward payable to individuals, as explained on page 102, such discretion would only be used in exceptional 
circumstances and, if exercised, disclosed at the latest in the report on implementation of the Policy (i.e. the Annual 
remuneration report) for the year in question.

Changes compared to the policy approved at the 2014 AGM
The Policy contains no components which were not in the remuneration policy approved at the 2014 AGM. However, 
the material changes from the policy approved in 2014 are summarised below with the supporting rationale provided 
in the Remuneration Committee Chairman’s letter on pages 79 to 81:

Salary
–  Clarity on cap on salary increases.

Annual incentive
–  Introduction of separate maximum for Chief Operating Officer.

–  Introduction of limits for new executive director role.

–  Incorporation of malus and clawback mechanisms.

Long-Term Incentives (LTI)
–  Introduction of reasonableness discretion.

–  Introduction of separate maximum for Chief Operating Officer.

–  Introduction of limits for new executive director role.

–  Clarity on flexibility to vary weightings of different award types and the associated impact on opportunity 

levels subject to the parameters set out.

–  Incorporation of malus and clawback mechanisms.

–  Introduction of two-year holding period for shares acquired on vesting of awards to non-US directors.

–  Introduction of Earnings per Share (EPS) alongside Total Shareholder Return (TSR) on share options with 

equal weighting.

–  Removal of Share Options for US executive director and redistribution into Performance Shares and Restricted 

Shares to maintain current Expected Value.

–  Increase in Minimum Shareholding Requirement for US executive director.

Pension
–  Participation in executive defined contribution retirement plan (or cash equivalent) introduced as default pension 

vehicle for new directors.

–  Inclusion of salary supplement as vehicle to offset impact of Lifetime Allowance and/or Annual Allowance.

Non-executive directors’ fees
–  Introduction of maximum for Chairman’s fees and benefits.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016100

Directors’ remuneration policy 
continued

Executive directors’ policy table 

Base salary

Purpose and link to strategy
Recognise market value of role and individual’s skills, experience and performance to ensure the business can attract 
and retain talent.

Operation
Salaries are reviewed annually. Business and individual performance, skills, the scope of the role and the individual’s time in the role are 
taken into account when setting and assessing salaries, as is market data for similar roles in the relevant market comparator group.

The comparator group for UK executive directors is comprised of selected companies from the FTSE 100 and is constructed to position 
BAE Systems around the median in terms of market capitalisation. For the President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc., 
the comparator group is drawn from companies in the US aerospace and defence sectors, together with similar organisations in the 
general industry sector where BAE Systems, Inc. is positioned at the median of the comparator group by reference to revenue size.

Maximum opportunity
When considering salary increases for the executive directors in their current roles, the Committee considers the general level of 
salary increase across the Group and in the relevant external market.

Actual increases for the executive directors in their current roles will generally not exceed the average percentage increase for 
employees as a whole, taking account of the level of movement within the relevant UK/US comparator group.

As a maximum, in exceptional circumstances (such as a material increase in job size or complexity while performing the same role, 
or a recently appointed executive director where the salary is positioned low against the market), the increase will not exceed 10% 
in any single year for executive directors performing the same role. If an individual’s role changes then a salary increase above 10% 
may be awarded in any single year to position their salary appropriately in accordance with the base salary principles described under 
‘Operation’ above. As a matter of policy, no new executive director role will have a salary greater than the Chief Executive at that time.

Performance metrics used, weighting and time period applicable
None.

Annual incentive

Purpose and link to strategy
Drive and reward annual performance of individuals and teams on both financial and non-financial metrics, including 
leadership behaviours in order to deliver sustainable growth in shareholder value. 

Compulsory deferral into shares increases alignment with shareholder interests.

Operation
The annual incentive is driven off in-year financial performance, corporate responsibility and other non-financial objectives 
measured at the Group and individual level. 

One-third of the total annual incentive amount is subject to compulsory deferral for three years in BAE Systems shares without 
any matching.

A malus mechanism may be applied to any bonus, and a clawback mechanism may be applied to the deferred bonus shares until 
up to the end of the three-year deferral period, in respect of 2015 or subsequent years where:
–  the Company is entitled to terminate employment for cause or the participant has engaged in misconduct (including breach 

of policy) which gives rise to other disciplinary sanction;

–  the results of the Company and/or relevant business or businesses for any period have been restated or subsequently appear 

materially inaccurate or misleading; and/or

–  any Group company or business unit has made a material financial loss.
Cash dividends are payable to the participants on the shares during this three-year deferral period.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016101

Executive directors’ policy table continued

Annual incentive continued

Maximum opportunity
Chief Executive and the President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.: 225% of salary

Chief Operating Officer: 200% of salary

Group Finance Director: 160% of salary

Where a new executive director role is established, the maximum opportunity will not exceed that of the Chief Operating Officer 
role as set out above.

The pay-out for maximum performance is double the payout for on-target performance. The pay-out for target performance is half 
of the respective maximum percentages above. The pay-out for achieving a threshold performance is 40% of the payout for on-target 
performance (i.e. 20% of maximum), with no pay-out for achieving less than this. Pay-out for performance between targets is calculated 
on a straight-line basis.

Performance metrics used, weighting and time period applicable
Performance is assessed on an annual basis, using a combination of the Group’s main performance indicators for the year and other 
objectives designed to support the Group’s strategy. Metrics, which will include financial and non-financial metrics as well as the 
achievement of personal objectives, will be determined and weighted each year according to business priorities. 75-80% will relate 
to financial metrics.

Metrics and weightings to be determined annually. Proposed metrics and weightings applicable in 2017:

Group EPS – 40%

Group cash – 25%

Order intake – 15%

Safety – 5%

Personal objectives designed to support the Group’s strategy – 15%

See notes 4 and 5 on page 106 regarding the selection and weighting of performance metrics.

Notwithstanding performance against the applicable metrics, all bonus payments are at the discretion of the Committee, which will 
be based on an assessment of the individual’s personal contribution to business performance over the relevant year and leadership 
behaviours demonstrated in making that contribution, relative to others.

Long-Term Incentives (LTI)

Operation
Long-term incentives will operate under the BAE Systems Long-Term Incentive Plan approved by shareholders at the 2014 AGM.

The size of awards granted is based on a percentage of salary, which is divided by the share price to determine the number of 
shares subject to the award.

Dividend equivalents in respect of vested shares may be paid at the time of vesting (or exercise, in the case of options) and are 
not taken into account when determining individual limits.

A malus and clawback mechanism may be applied, until two years after vesting, or if sooner, the fifth anniversary of grant, or 
the occurrence of certain corporate events, to all awards granted on or after 25 March 2015 where:
–  the Company is entitled to terminate employment for cause or the participant has engaged in misconduct (including breach 

of policy) which gives rise to other disciplinary sanction;

–  the results of the Company and/or relevant business or businesses for any period have been restated or subsequently appear 

materially inaccurate or misleading;

–  any Group company or business unit has made a material financial loss; and/or
–  the measurement of any performance condition does not reflect the actual performance of the Company over the 

performance period.

The Committee will establish the targets for each measure at the start of each performance period based on Group projections 
and market expectations for the business. The performance conditions for previous awards are described in the Annual 
remuneration report.

Awards and performance conditions can be adjusted to take account of variations of share capital and other transactions or events.

On a change of control or similar transaction, awards generally will vest to the extent performance conditions are then satisfied 
(if applicable) and then be pro-rated to reflect the acceleration of vesting unless the Committee decides otherwise. Alternatively, 
awards may be exchanged for equivalent awards over shares in the acquiring company.

The share plan rules may be amended from time-to-time by the Committee in certain circumstances including minor changes 
for administrative, tax or other regulatory purposes.

Subject to this Policy, performance conditions of awards already granted may be amended in accordance with their terms or if 
anything happens which causes the Committee reasonably to consider it appropriate to do so.

Performance metrics used, weighting and time period applicable
See notes 4 and 5 on page 106 regarding the selection and weighting of performance metrics.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016102

Directors’ remuneration policy 
continued

Executive directors’ policy table continued

Long-Term Incentives (LTI) continued

Maximum opportunity
Over the lifetime of this Policy, the Committee will have discretion to vary the weighting of different types of awards within the 
framework set out below, but the overall LTI Expected Value (EV) will remain the same (assuming the LTI EV is calculated as 50% 
of face value for Performance Shares, 20% of face value for Share Options and 100% of face value for Restricted Shares):
–  UK executive directors’ awards will consist of a mix of Performance Shares and Share Options (with Share Options comprising 

no more than 50% of overall LTI EV).

–  US executive directors’ awards will consist of a mix of Performance Shares and Restricted Shares (with Restricted Shares comprising 

no more than 50% of overall LTI EV).

Performance metrics used, weighting and time period applicable
See below in relation to Performance Shares and Share Options. 

In addition to the primary performance tests set out below, the Committee confirms and recognises its obligation to judge the 
overall reasonableness of the rewards received relative to the overall business actions and results achieved. When determining the 
final performance condition outcome under Performance Share and Share Option awards, the Committee will have discretion over 
the number of awards vesting in light of other important factors in the business (reasonable discretion). The discretion may result in 
vesting of awards going upwards (subject to maximum 100% vesting of awards) as well as downwards. Any factors will be properly 
considered as they arise and any discretion to the calculated results will be applied in a highly disciplined manner and the rationale 
and impact will be reported transparently. The use of reasonableness discretion would apply to LTI awards granted to executive 
directors after the commencement of this Policy.

See notes 4 and 5 on page 106.

Long-Term Incentives – Performance Shares

Purpose and link to strategy
Drive and reward delivery of sustained long-term EPS and TSR performance aligned to the interests of shareholders.

Operation
For non-US executive directors, awards, typically in the form of nil-cost options, will vest subject to performance and service conditions 
on the fifth anniversary of grant. These will be exercisable between the fifth and tenth anniversary of grant or such shorter period as 
may be specified by the Committee.

For US executive directors, awards are delivered as conditional share awards (RSUs). To maintain the competitiveness of the LTI offering 
in the US, awards will vest automatically on the third, fourth and fifth anniversary of grant, subject to performance conditions.

Policy maximum opportunity
Award levels applicable to UK executive directors for normal annual grants (assuming the current LTI EV weightings in Performance 
Shares and Share Options) are as follows:

Chief Executive: 250% of salary

Chief Operating Officer: 230% of salary

Group Finance Director: 215% of salary

Award levels applicable to US executive directors for normal annual grants (assuming the current LTI EV weightings in Performance 
Shares and Restricted Shares) are as follows:

President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.: 298% of salary

Note the percentages above could be exceeded if the LTI EV weightings were to be varied (see above).

Where a new executive director role is established, the maximum opportunity will not exceed that of the Chief Operating Officer 
role as set out above.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016103

Executive directors’ policy table continued

Long-Term Incentives – Performance Shares continued

Performance metrics used, weighting and time period applicable
Metrics and weightings will be as follows (subject to the Committee’s ability to adjust as set out below):
–  50% of award based on TSR relative to one or more appropriate comparator groups over the three-year performance period as 

selected by the Committee at the time of grant:

– Vesting of each comparator group is determined as: nil vesting if TSR ranked below median in the peer group; 25% vesting if 

TSR ranked at the median; 100% vesting if TSR ranked in the upper quintile; pro-rata vesting for performance between median 
and upper quintile.

– If more than one comparator group is used, vesting of the TSR portion of the award will be determined by the average of the 

vesting outcomes from each comparator group.

– Award subject to a secondary financial measure as set out on page 93.

–  50% of award based on average annual EPS growth over the three financial years starting with that in which the award is granted, 
with 25% vesting for threshold performance, 50% vesting for target performance and 100% vesting for stretch performance. 
Pro-rata vesting for intermediate performance.

The metrics and weightings applicable in 2017 are as follows:
–  50% of award based on TSR relative to the following two comparator groups over the three-year performance period:

– At least ten other international defence companies selected by the Committee at the time of grant.

– All companies in the FTSE 100 index.

–  50% of award based on average annual EPS growth over the three financial years starting with that in which the award is granted, 
with threshold performance requirement as average annual EPS growth of 3%, target performance requirement as average annual 
EPS growth of 5% and stretch performance requirement as average annual EPS growth of 7%.

Note that awards granted to executive directors from the date of the 2017 AGM would be subject to application of reasonableness 
discretion in light of other important factors in the business as described earlier.

The Committee can adjust the weighting of the EPS and TSR conditions and, if considered appropriate, the Committee may introduce 
an alternate performance condition aligned to the Company’s strategy.

See notes 4 and 5 on page 106.

Long-Term Incentives – Share Options

Purpose and link to strategy
Drive and reward delivery of sustained long-term EPS and TSR performance and sustained improvement in the Company’s 
share price.

Operation
Share Options have an exercise price set at market value at grant.

For non-US executive directors, awards vest subject to performance and service conditions on the fifth anniversary of grant and will 
be exercisable between the fifth and tenth anniversary of grant.

US executive directors are not eligible.

Policy maximum opportunity
Award levels applicable to UK executive directors for normal annual grants (assuming the current LTI EV weightings in Performance 
Shares and Share Options) are as follows:

Chief Executive: 300% of salary

Chief Operating Officer: 300% of salary

Group Finance Director: 300% of salary

Note the percentages above could be exceeded if the LTI EV weightings were to be varied (see page 102).

Where a new executive director role is established, the maximum opportunity will not exceed that of the Chief Operating Officer 
role as set out above.

Performance metrics used, weighting and time period applicable
For Share Option awards made to the executive directors, exercise is subject to the TSR and EPS performance conditions (subject to any 
adjustment described above) and application of reasonableness discretion as set out above.

Note that for Share Option awards granted to the executive directors prior to the 2017 AGM, exercise is subject to the TSR performance 
conditions as set out in our policy approved at the 2014 AGM.

See notes 4 and 5 on page 106.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016104

Directors’ remuneration policy 
continued

Executive directors’ policy table continued

Long-Term Incentives – Restricted Shares

Purpose and link to strategy
Provide long-term reward through time-vesting awards principally in the Company’s US market.

Operation
The shares are subject only to the condition that the participant remains employed by the Group on the vesting date (three years 
after the award date). These awards are not subject to a performance condition as it is designed to address competitive market 
practice and retention issues principally in the US. Non-US executive directors are not eligible.

Policy maximum opportunity
Award levels applicable to US executive directors for normal annual grants (assuming the current LTI EV weightings in Performance 
Shares and Restricted Shares) are as follows:

President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.: 150% of salary

Performance metrics used, weighting and time period applicable
None.

See notes 4 and 5 on page 106.

Benefits

Purpose and link to strategy
Provide employment benefits which ensure that the overall package is market competitive when these elements are 
taken into account.

Operation
Benefits include provision of a company car (or cash equivalent), life assurance and ill-health benefit cover which are provided directly 
or through membership of the Company’s pension schemes. The main benefits in the UK include a car allowance (currently £16,000 
per annum), private use of a chauffeur-driven car and annual medical screening, plus life assurance and ill-health benefit cover provided 
through membership of the Company’s pension schemes.

Opportunity for UK executive directors to participate in the Share Incentive Plan, a tax approved all-employee plan.

In the US, benefits include a cash allowance for car and parking (currently $20,900 per annum) and private use of a chauffeur-driven 
car, medical and dental benefits, and insured life and disability benefits.

Additional benefits, such as relocation assistance, may also be provided in certain circumstances if considered reasonable and 
appropriate by the Committee. Relocation assistance comprises reimbursement for direct items of expenditure, such as legal, 
estate agency, removals and temporary accommodation.

Directors’ and Officers’ insurance cover is also provided for all executive directors.

Maximum opportunity
Benefits are set at a level which the Committee considers to be appropriate against comparable roles in companies of similar size 
in the relevant market.

Benefits are as reported and itemised within the single total figure shown as part of the Annual remuneration report on page 85. 
The maximum cost of such benefits will reflect the associated market-competitive cost of provision. Relocation assistance is based 
on actual costs incurred which are linked to the size and value of the property, plus a maximum relocation allowance of £2,500.

Participation limits for the Share Incentive Plan are those set by the UK tax authorities from time-to-time.

Performance metrics used, weighting and time period applicable
None.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016105

Executive directors’ policy table continued

Pension

Purpose and link to strategy
Provide competitive post-retirement benefits or cash allowance equivalent.

Operation
The current Chief Executive and Group Finance Director as at 22 February 2017 are members of the BAE Systems Executive Pension 
Scheme and members of an underlying employee pension plan, which together provide a target benefit for executive directors 
payable at normal retirement age (62) of 1/30th of final pensionable earnings (FPE) for each year of service up to a maximum of 
two-thirds of FPE. Member contributions are currently 8% of salary. Further detail is provided on page 90 as part of the Annual 
remuneration report.

The current Chief Operating Officer as at 22 February 2017 is a member of the defined contribution section of the BAE Systems 
Executive Pension Scheme (EPS DCRP). In line with our policy, Company contributions are 19% of salary and member contributions 
are 6% of salary. Where the Annual Allowance (AA) is breached, as is the case with the Chief Operating Officer, he will pay member 
contributions up to the AA limit and the Company contributions will be paid as a salary supplement.

For any new externally-appointed UK executive directors, or internally appointed UK executive directors who are not members of 
a BAE Systems defined benefit scheme, membership of the BAE Systems EPS DCRP is offered with contribution requirements set 
as a percentage of base salary dependent on grading. Individuals may elect to receive some or all of their Company contributions as 
a cash allowance. For any internally-appointed UK executive directors who are already members of a BAE Systems defined benefit 
scheme, the Company may offer to maintain their membership in that pension arrangement (with the contribution rates appropriate 
to that arrangement), or the choice of membership of the BAE Systems EPS DCRP as set out above.

Where UK executive directors’ pension entitlement or accrual is restricted to the Lifetime Allowance (LTA) and/or the AA, the 
Company may offer an unfunded pension promise or salary supplement to offset the impact of these restrictions.

The current President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc. as at 22 February 2017 participates in a Section 401(k) 
defined contribution arrangement in which the company matches his contributions up to a maximum of 6% of salary, subject 
to US regulatory limits.

Any new externally-appointed US executive directors, or internally-appointed US executive directors who are not members of a pension 
plan, would be offered membership of the US Section 401(k) defined contribution plan. For any internally-appointed US executive 
directors who are members of the 2006 Plan and Non-Qualified Plan, these plans provide a cash sum at retirement equal to the sum 
of the annual accruals, currently set at $1,000 from the 2006 Plan and $500 from the Non-Qualified Plan. The Company may offer 
to maintain membership of the 2006 Plan and Non-Qualified Plan, in addition to membership of the US Section 401(k) defined 
contribution plan.

Maximum opportunity
The BAE Systems EPS DCRP provides a maximum Company contribution of 19% (in addition to employee contribution of 6%) 
of base salary.

Under the existing executive defined benefit scheme, a maximum of two-thirds of FPE is accrued at 1/30th for each year of service.

Where UK executive directors’ pension entitlement or accrual is restricted to the LTA and/or the AA, the Company may offer an 
unfunded pension promise or salary supplement to offset the impact of these restrictions.

The US Section 401(k) defined contribution plan provides 100% company matching contributions up to a maximum of 6% of base 
salary, subject to US statutory limits.

For US executive directors who are members of the 2006 Plan and Non-Qualified Plan, these plans provide a cash sum at retirement 
equal to the sum of the annual accruals, currently set at $1,000 from the 2006 Plan and $500 from the Non-Qualified Plan.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016106

Directors’ remuneration policy 
continued

Notes to the executive directors’ policy table 

Remuneration policy for other employees
1.   The Company’s approach to annual salary reviews is consistent across the Group, with consideration given to the scope of the role, 

level of experience, performance and market data for similar roles in other companies.

2.  All leaders may participate in an annual bonus scheme with similar metrics to those used for the executive directors. Other employees 
may participate in performance-based incentive plans which vary by organisational level and with relevant metrics for the particular 
area of the business.

3.  LTI grants may be made to the most senior managers in the business (approximately 400 individuals globally). The nature of the 

awards depends on the individual’s location, roles and responsibilities, in particular:
–  performance conditions and targets for performance share grants made to UK and Rest of World participants are made 

in line with those applying to executive directors; 

–  for US participants below Executive Committee level, performance share grants are normally subject to BAE Systems, Inc. 

operating cash flow and EPS performance conditions and targets; 

–  Performance Shares applicable to participants below executive director level vest on the third anniversary subject to performance 
conditions and are exercisable (or released in the case of US participants) in equal tranches on the third, fourth and fifth anniversary 
of grant; 

–  Share Options are granted to participants below executive director level; there are no performance conditions attached and they 

vest and are exercisable after three years; and

–  Restricted Share grants are currently made to the most senior managers in the US businesses reflecting competitive market practice 

and vest after three years.

Performance measures and targets
4.  The Committee selected the performance conditions because these are central to the Company’s overall strategy and are the 

key metrics used by the executive directors to oversee the operation of the business. Any non-financial performance targets are 
determined by the Committee in consultation with the Corporate Responsibility Committee.

5.  The performance conditions and targets are determined annually by the Committee (within the parameters set out above), taking 
account of the Group’s strategic objectives, the internal business plan and budgets, as well as external market expectations and 
general economic conditions. The Committee is of the view that the performance targets for the annual bonus are commercially 
sensitive and that it would be detrimental to the interests of the Company to disclose them before the start of the financial year. 
The targets will be disclosed retrospectively after the end of the relevant financial year.

Minimum Shareholding Requirement (MSR)
6.  The Committee has agreed a policy whereby the executive directors are required to establish and maintain a minimum personal 

shareholding equal to a set percentage of base salary. An Initial Value must be achieved as quickly as possible using shares vesting or 
options exercised through the executive share option schemes and other LTI schemes by retaining 50% of the net value (i.e. the value 
after deduction of exercise costs and tax) of shares acquired under these schemes. Once the Initial Value is achieved, a Subsequent 
Value must be achieved in the same way, except that a minimum of 25% of the net value must be retained on each exercise or 
acquisition. The Committee has discretion to increase the Initial Value and/or Subsequent Value (see below). Shares owned beneficially 
by the director and his/her spouse count towards the MSR. The MSR does not apply after the individual has ceased to be a director. 
Any case of non-compliance would be dealt with by the Committee.

The following table sets out MSR Initial Value and Subsequent Value applicable from 2018: 

Initial Value

Subsequent Value

Chief Executive

Chief Operating Officer

Group Finance Director

President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.

150%

100%

100%

212.5%

300%

200%

200%

425%

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016107

Illustration of application of remuneration policy
The charts below show the value of the package each of the executive directors would receive in the first year of operation of the 
Policy. The values are based on 2017 levels for base salaries, benefits and pension and assume that the office-holders at the date of this 
Policy coming into effect are employed throughout the first year of operation of the Policy. Annual and long-term incentives are based 
on awards applying in 2018. The charts assume the following scenarios: minimum fixed pay (including salary, benefits and pension as 
provided in the single figure table on page 85); pay receivable assuming on-target performance is met; and maximum pay assuming 
variable elements pay out in full. The scenarios below exclude any share price appreciation and dividends.

Chief Executive (£’000)

Chief Executive designate (£’000)

Maximum

23%

32%

On-target

42%

Minimum

100%

0

28%
1,643
2,000

45%
3,945

30%

4,000
Value of package (£’000)

6,000

7,045

Maximum

18%

34%

On-target

34%

Minimum

100%

34%

32%
1,068

48%
3,119

5,881

8,000

0

4,000
2,000
Value of package (£’000)

6,000

Chief Operating Officer (£’000)

Maximum

19%

32%

On-target

36%

Minimum

100%

30%
919

34%

49%
2,527

4,707

0

2,000
4,000
Value of package (£’000)

6,000

Executive directorship changes
As announced on 22 February 2017, Ian King will retire as Chief 
Executive on 30 June 2017 and Charles Woodburn, Chief Operating 
Officer, will be appointed as Chief Executive on 1 July 2017. The left 
hand chart above illustrates Ian King’s remuneration if he were 
Chief Executive throughout the year, and the right hand chart above 
illustrates Charles Woodburn’s remuneration if he were Chief Executive 
throughout the year. The chart to the left illustrates Charles Woodburn’s 
remuneration if he were Chief Operating Officer throughout the year.

Group Finance Director (£’000)

Maximum

28%

26%

46%

On-target

48%

Minimum

100%

0

30%

22%
1,025

2,129

1,000

2,000
Value of package (£’000)

3,000

President and Chief Executive Officer  
of BAE Systems, Inc. ($’000)

Maximum

33%

On-target

52%

Minimum

100%

0

29%

24%
2,605

24%

38%
4,907

2,000

4,000
Value of package ($’000)

6,000

  Fixed elements of remuneration
  Annual bonus
  Performance Shares and Share Options

3,658

4,000

7,976

8,000

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016108

Directors’ remuneration policy 
continued

Non-executive directors’ (NEDs) policy table 

Fees

Purpose and link to strategy
To attract NEDs who have a broad range of experience and skills to provide independent judgement on issues of strategy, 
performance, resources and standards of conduct.

Operation
NEDs’ fees are set by the Non-Executive Directors’ Fees Committee.

NEDs receive a basic fee with an additional fee for those who are chairmen of committees and/or undertake the role of Senior 
Independent Director.

NEDs also receive a travel allowance per meeting on each occasion that a scheduled Board meeting necessitates air travel of more 
than five hours (one way) to the meeting location, subject to a maximum of six travel allowances per year. 

Fees are typically reviewed annually, taking into account time commitment requirements and responsibility of the individual roles, 
and after reviewing practice in other comparable companies. 

The Chairman’s fees are set by the Remuneration Committee on a three-year basis and not normally subject to review during 
that period.

Maximum opportunity
Actual fee levels are disclosed in the Annual remuneration report for the relevant financial year.

The current Chairman’s fee has been set at £700,000 from 1 February 2017 and is fixed at this level for three years.

The aggregate cost of fees and benefits paid to NEDs (including the Chairman) will not exceed an annual limit of £2.5m and the cost 
of fees and benefits paid to the Chairman will not exceed £1.25m annually.

Performance metrics used, weighting and time period applicable
None.

Benefits

Purpose and link to strategy
Reimbursement for reasonable and documented expenses incurred in the performance of duties.

Operation
NEDs are not eligible to participate in any pension benefits provided by the Company, nor do they participate in any performance-
related incentives.

The Chairman is provided with a chauffeur-driven car. This may be used for non-Company business, but the cost of the benefit 
of such usage shall be paid by the Chairman. 

Reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs (including payment of the associated tax cost) incurred by the director or his/her 
spouse whilst undertaking duties on behalf of the Company that may be assessed as a benefit for tax purposes. Directors’ and 
Officers’ insurance cover is also provided for all directors.

Maximum opportunity
See the aggregate limit under ‘Fees’ above.

Prior commitments 
For the duration of this Policy, the Company will honour any commitments made in respect of executive director and non-executive 
director remuneration and benefits before the date on which either: (i) the Directors’ remuneration policy becomes effective; or (ii) an 
individual becomes a director, even where such commitments are not consistent with the policy set out in this report or prevailing at 
the time any such commitment is fulfilled. This includes (without limitation) all existing share awards as detailed on page 102 of the 
2013 Annual Report under the PSP, SMP, RSP, ExSOP and ExSOP2012 that remain outstanding, Peter Lynas’ second residence allowance 
as detailed on page 93 of the 2013 Annual Report, and any commitments entered into (such as grants of share awards) consistent with 
a previously approved Directors’ remuneration policy that was applicable at the relevant time.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016109

Approach to recruitment remuneration
The recruitment policy provides an appropriate framework within which to attract individuals of the required calibre to lead a company 
of BAE Systems’ size, scale and complexity. The Remuneration Committee determines the remuneration package for any appointment 
to an executive director position, either from within or outside BAE Systems. 

Operation
The Remuneration Committee will take into consideration all relevant factors, including overall total remuneration, the type of 
remuneration being offered and the jurisdiction from which the candidate was recruited, and will operate in order to ensure that 
arrangements are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders without paying more than is necessary to secure the 
individual of the required calibre.

The fees and benefits applicable to the appointment of any new non-executive directors will be in accordance with the policy table 
on page 108.

Opportunity
The Committee seeks to align the remuneration package offered with the policy set out in the executive directors’ policy table above 
recognising that participation under the policy above varies by geography. 
–  For UK and other non-US executive director appointments, participation in annual incentive plans will not exceed 225% of annual 

salary and long-term awards under this Policy will not exceed 550% of annual salary. 

–  For US executive director appointments, participation in annual incentive plans will not exceed 225% of annual salary and long-term 

awards under this Policy will not exceed 500% of annual salary.

The Committee may make awards on hiring an external candidate to ‘buy-out’ existing equity or, in exceptional circumstances, other 
elements of remuneration forfeited on leaving the previous employer. In doing so, the Committee will take account of relevant factors 
including any performance conditions attached to these awards, the form in which they were granted (e.g. cash or shares) and the 
time over which they would have vested. Buy-out awards would be capped to be no higher, on recruitment, than the fair value of 
those forfeited. Full details will be disclosed in the next Annual remuneration report following recruitment which will include details 
of the need to grant a buy-out award.

Fixed elements (base salary, retirement and other benefits)
The salary level will be set in accordance with the principles for setting base salary described in the executive directors’ policy 
table above.

The executive director shall be eligible to participate in applicable BAE Systems’ employee benefit plans, including coverage under 
applicable executive and employee pension and benefit programmes in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans, as 
may be amended by the Company in its sole discretion from time to time.

In the case of promotion of an existing Group employee to an executive directorship on the Board, commitments made before such 
promotion will continue to be honoured whether or not they are consistent with the remainder of this Policy.

Annual Incentive Plan
The appointed executive director will be eligible to earn a discretionary annual bonus in accordance with the annual incentive 
framework as described in the executive directors’ policy table above.

The level of opportunity will be consistent with the policy disclosed in the executive directors’ policy table in this report and subject 
to the maximums referred to therein and under ‘Opportunity’ above.

Long-Term Incentive Plan
The executive director will be eligible for equity awards in such amounts as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, 
subject to this Policy and the rules of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.

The level of opportunity will be consistent with the policy set out in the executive directors’ policy table above and subject to the 
maximums referred to therein and under ‘Opportunity’ above.

Other
For internal and external appointments, the Committee may agree that the Company will meet certain relocation expenses in 
accordance with the provisions described under the Benefits section of the policy table on page 104.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016110

Directors’ remuneration policy 
continued

Service contracts
Executive directors

Operation
In accordance with long-established policy, all executive directors have rolling service agreements which may be terminated in 
accordance with the terms of these agreements.

Dates of appointment for executive directors

Name

Ian King

Charles Woodburn

Peter Lynas

Jerry DeMuro

Date of appointment

1 September 20081

9 May 2016

1 April 2011

1 February 2014

Notice period

12 months either party

12 months either party

12 months either party

90 days either party2

1. Contract dated 27 June 2008, effective 1 September 2008.
2.  Jerry DeMuro’s contract of employment automatically renews for one-year periods from 31 December each year, unless one party gives at least 

90 days’ notice of non-renewal.

Notice period
The Committee’s policy is that the service contracts of executive directors will not exceed 12 months. In exceptional circumstances, in 
relation to newly recruiting an executive director operating in a US environment, the notice period may be extended to a maximum of 
24 months and structured such that it reduces to no more than 12 months by no later than the end of the first complete year of service.

Change of control
No executive director has provisions in his service contract that relate to a change of control of the Company.

Chairman
The Chairman’s appointment is documented in a letter of appointment and he is required to devote no fewer than two days a week 
to his duties as Chairman. His appointment as Chairman (which commenced on 1 February 2014) will automatically terminate if he 
ceases to be a director of the Company. The Chairman’s appointment was reviewed by the Nominations Committee prior to the end 
of his initial three-year term and has been extended until February 2020, unless it is terminated earlier in accordance with the Company’s 
Articles of Association or by the Company or the Chairman giving not less than six months’ notice.

Non-executive directors
The non-executive directors do not have service contracts but do have letters of appointment detailing the basis of their appointment. 
The dates of their original appointment are shown below:

Name

Elizabeth Corley

Harriet Green

Chris Grigg

Paula Rosput Reynolds

Nick Rose

Ian Tyler

Date of appointment

Expiry of current term

01.02.2016

01.11.2010

01.07.2013

01.04.2011

08.02.2010

08.05.2013

31.01.2019

31.10.2019

30.06.2019

31.03.2020

07.02.2019

07.05.2019

The non-executive directors are normally appointed for an initial three-year term that, subject to review, may be extended subsequently 
for further such terms. Any third term of three years is subject to rigorous review, taking into account the need progressively to refresh 
the Board. Non-executive directors do not have periods of notice.

In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all directors are subject to annual election or re-election at the Company’s AGM.

Policy on payment for loss of office

Operation
The policy on payment for loss of office provides a clear set of principles that govern the payments that will be made for loss of office, 
and take account of the need to ensure a smooth transition for leadership roles during times of change. The policy that will apply for 
a specific executive director’s payments for loss of office will be the policy that was in place at the point when the payments for loss 
of office were agreed for the executive director in question.

Any termination payment made in connection with the departure of an executive director will be subject to approval by the 
Committee, having regard to the terms of the service contract or other legal obligations and the specific circumstances surrounding 
the termination, including whether the scenario aligns to an example under the approved leaver criteria, performance, service and 
health or other circumstances that may be relevant. 

In addition to payments described below, the Committee may pay such amounts as are necessary to settle or compromise any claim 
or by way of damages, where the Committee views it as in the best interests of the Company to do so. In the event of the termination 
of an executive director’s contract, it is the Committee’s policy to seek to limit any payment to not more than one year’s base salary.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016111

Notice and pay in lieu of notice
Executive directors’ contracts allow for termination with contractual notice from either party or termination by way of payment of base 
salary in lieu of notice, at the Company’s discretion. Neither notice nor a payment in lieu of notice will be given in the event of gross 
misconduct. Any new executive director contracts since 2016 (including the Chief Operating Officer) concerning payment in lieu of 
notice provisions allow for the Committee to exercise discretion to apply phased payments and mitigation on that executive director 
securing alternative employment.

Jerry DeMuro’s contract of employment automatically renews for one-year periods from 31 December each year, unless one party 
gives at least 90 days’ notice of non-renewal. If the employment is (a) terminated by the Company (other than for cause as defined 
in the contract) or (b) he resigned for a ‘Good Reason’ (as defined in his contract), he is entitled to a termination payment equal to 
(i) one year’s base salary and (ii) a bonus payable at target level pro-rated for service for the relevant financial year. He will also be 
entitled to a continuation of medical benefits for 18 months (or a cash payment in lieu).

Other than notice payments, the Company has no obligation to make any termination payments when the Chairman’s appointment 
terminates. Non-executive directors do not have periods of notice and the Company has no obligation to make any termination 
payments when their appointment terminates, other than to pay fees in accordance with the appointment letters.

Retirement benefits
As governed by the rules of the relevant pension plan. No enhancement for leavers will be made.

Annual Incentive Plan
Where an executive director’s employment is terminated after the end of a performance year but before the payment is made, the 
executive director will remain eligible for an annual incentive award for that performance year subject to an assessment based on 
performance achieved over the period. No award will be made in the event of gross misconduct. 

The Committee may, as set out below, exercise its discretion to allow an annual incentive payment for the year of cessation as part 
of the termination package for executive directors. Where it does so, the exercise of the discretion and reason why the Committee 
considered such action appropriate will be disclosed. 

Where an executive director leaves during the relevant performance year by reason of death, ill-health, disability, retirement, a transfer 
of business or redundancy, the Committee may use its discretion to determine that an executive director will remain entitled to receive 
a bonus (subject to an assessment based on performance over the performance year and pro-rated for time) in respect of the financial 
year in which the individual ceased employment. One third of the bonus will be subject to compulsory deferral as set out previously, 
unless the Committee decides otherwise.

The Committee’s policy is not to award an annual incentive for any portion of the notice period not served.

The treatment set out above does not apply to the President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.

Long-Term Incentive Plans
The treatment of outstanding share awards in the event that an executive director leaves is governed by the relevant share plan rules.

Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, where an executive director leaves the Group by reason of ill-health, injury, disability, retirement 
with the agreement of the Company, sale of a business or employing company, redundancy or leaving in such circumstances as the 
Committee determines (each an ‘approved leaver’), unvested awards and options generally continue and vest on the normal vesting 
date (or, in the case of Performance Shares held by US executive directors, the first normal vesting date or, if later, cessation), unless 
the Committee determines that the awards should vest on cessation. Any performance conditions will be applied at the time of vesting.

On vesting, the number of shares under award will, unless the Committee decides otherwise, be reduced pro-rata to reflect the 
period in which the executive director was in employment as a proportion of the relevant vesting period (or in the case of Performance 
Shares held by US executive directors or Performance Shares granted prior to the 2017 AGM, as a proportion of the initial three-year 
vesting period).

In the event of death, awards generally vest at the time of death subject to the satisfaction of any performance conditions at that time. 
Awards are then pro-rated as set out above.

Where an executive director’s employment is terminated for any other reason, his unvested awards and options will lapse. Options 
normally remain exercisable for six months after cessation (or vesting, if later) and 12 months after death. 

If the Committee exercises its discretion to treat a director as an approved leaver as permissible under the leaver provisions of the share 
plan rules, the exercise of the discretion and reason why the Committee considered such action appropriate will be disclosed.

Where an executive director’s employment is terminated or an executive director is under notice of termination for any reason at the 
date of award of any Long-Term Incentive awards, no Long-Term Incentive awards will be made.

Consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Company
The Committee does not consult directly with employees as part of the process for reviewing executive pay. When considering 
salary increases for the executive directors, the Committee considers the general level of salary increase across the Group and 
in the external market.

Stakeholder considerations
The Committee conducts an annual programme of consultation with major shareholders in order to seek their input to the 
development of remuneration policy or plans.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016112

Statutory and other information

Company registration
BAE Systems plc is a public company limited 
by shares registered in England and Wales 
with the registered number 1470151.

Directors
The current directors who served during 
the 2016 financial year are listed on pages 
68 and 69. Elizabeth Corley and Charles 
Woodburn were appointed to the Board on 
1 February 2016 and 9 May 2016, respectively.

Dividend
An interim dividend of 8.6p per share was 
paid on 30 November 2016. The directors 
propose a final dividend of 12.7p per ordinary 
share. Subject to shareholder approval, the 
final dividend will be paid on 1 June 2017 to 
shareholders on the share register on 21 April 
2017. Information on dividend waivers is given 
on page 165.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The Company’s AGM will be held on 10 May 
2017. The Notice of Annual General Meeting 
is enclosed with this Annual Report and details 
the resolutions to be proposed at the meeting. 

Certain information in the Strategic report
The following items are set out in the Strategic 
report on pages 1 to 63:

–  disclosures in relation to the use of financial 

instruments;

–  particulars of important events affecting 
the Group which have occurred since 
31 December 2016;

–  an indication of likely future developments 

in the business of the Group; 

–  an indication of the activities of the Group 
in the field of research and development;

–  actions taken to introduce, maintain or 

develop arrangements aimed at employees; 
and

–  greenhouse gas emissions.

Office of Fair Trading undertakings
As a consequence of the merger between 
British Aerospace and the former Marconi 
Electronic Systems businesses in 1999, the 
Company gave certain undertakings to the 
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
(now the Secretary of State for Business, 
Energy and Industrial Strategy). In February 
2007, the Company was released from the 
majority of these undertakings and the 
remainder have been superseded and varied 
by a new set of undertakings. Compliance 
with the undertakings is monitored by a 
compliance officer. Further information 
regarding the undertakings and the contact 
details of the compliance officer may be 
obtained through the Company Secretary 
at the Company’s registered office or 
through the Company’s website. 

Profit forecast
In its Annual Report 2015, the Group made 
the following statement, which is regarded 
as a profit forecast for the purposes of the 
Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rule 
9.2.18:

“In 2016, the Group’s underlying earnings per 
share are expected to be approximately 5% 
to 10% higher than the adjusted underlying 
earnings per share of 36.6p* in 2015. 

 *Reported underlying earnings per share of 
40.2p excluding the previously announced 
2.6p per share earnings benefit from an 
overseas tax provision release and an 
additional 1.7p per share earnings benefit 
from a UK tax provision release, and adjusting 
for a 0.7p per share benefit to an assumed 
US$1.45 to sterling translation rate.”

Underlying earnings per share was 40.3p 
in 2016.

Employees
The Group is committed to giving full and 
fair consideration to applications for 
employment from disabled people who 
meet the requirements for roles, and 
making available training opportunities and 
appropriate accommodation to disabled 
people employed by the Group.

Political donations
No political donations were made in 2016.

Issued share capital
As at 31 December 2016, BAE Systems’ 
issued share capital of £86,686,002 comprised 
3,467,440,044 ordinary shares of 2.5p each 
and one Special Share of £1. 

Treasury shares
As at 1 January 2016, the number of shares 
held in treasury totalled 301,808,103 (having 
a total nominal value of £7,545,203 and 
representing 8.7% of the Company’s called up 
share capital at 1 January 2016). During 2016, 
the Company used 10,358,742 treasury shares 
(having a total nominal value of £258,969 and 
representing 0.3% of the Company’s called up 
share capital at 31 December 2016) to satisfy 
awards under the Free and Matching elements 
of the Share Incentive Plan (6,119,083 shares 
in aggregate), awards under the Free and 
Matching elements of the International Share 
Incentive Plan (371,132 shares in aggregate), 
awards vested under the Performance Share 
Plan (459,083 shares), awards vested under 
the Restricted Share Plan (791,792 shares), and 
options exercised under the Executive Share 
Option Plan (2,617,652 shares). The treasury 
shares utilised in respect of the Share Incentive 
Plan, the International Share Incentive Plan 
and the Restricted Share Plan were disposed 
of by the Company for nil consideration. 
The 2,617,652 shares disposed of by the 
Company in respect of the Executive Share 
Option Plan were disposed of by the Company 
for an aggregate consideration of £4,919,365. 
As at 31 December 2016, the number of 
shares held in treasury totalled 291,449,361 
(having a total nominal value of £7,286,234 
and representing 8.4% of the Company’s 
called up share capital at 31 December 2016). 

The rights to treasury shares are restricted 
in accordance with the Companies Act and, 
in particular, the voting and dividend rights 
attaching to these shares are automatically 
suspended.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016113

–  awards of shares made under the Company’s 
Long-Term Incentive Plan 2014, Deferred 
Bonus Plan, Performance Share Plan, 
Restricted Share Plan, Share Incentive 
Plan, International Share Incentive Plan, 
Group All-Employee Free Shares Plan and 
International Profit Sharing Scheme are 
subject to restrictions on the transfer of 
shares prior to vesting and/or release.

The Company is not aware of any 
arrangements between its shareholders 
that may result in restrictions on the transfer 
of shares and/or voting rights.

Significant direct and indirect holders 
of securities
As at 31 December 2016 (and unchanged as 
at 22 February 2017), the Company had been 
advised of the following significant direct and 
indirect interests in the issued ordinary share 
capital of the Company:

Name of shareholder

AXA S.A. and its group of companies

Barclays PLC

BlackRock, Inc. 

The Capital Group Companies, Inc. 

Franklin Resources Inc., and affiliates

Invesco Limited

Silchester International Investors LLP

Percentage 
notified

5.00%

3.98%

5.00%

6.05%

4.92%

9.97%

3.01%

Exercise of rights of shares in employee 
share schemes
The trustees of the employee trusts do not 
seek to exercise voting rights on shares held 
in the employee trusts other than on the 
direction of the underlying beneficiaries. 
No voting rights are exercised in relation to 
shares unallocated to individual beneficiaries.

Restrictions on voting deadlines
The notice of any general meeting shall specify 
the deadline for exercising voting rights and 
appointing a proxy or proxies to vote in 
relation to resolutions to be proposed at the 
general meeting. The number of proxy votes 
for, against or withheld in respect of each 
resolution are publicised on the Company’s 
website after the meeting.

Rights and obligations of ordinary shares
On a show of hands at a general meeting 
every holder of ordinary shares present in 
person and entitled to vote shall have one 
vote, and every proxy entitled to vote shall 
have one vote (unless the proxy is appointed 
by more than one member in which case the 
proxy has one vote for and one vote against 
if the proxy has been instructed by one or 
more members to vote for the resolution and 
by one or more members to vote against the 
resolution; or if the proxy has been instructed 
by one or more shareholders to vote either 
for or against a resolution and by one or more 
of those shareholders to use his discretion 
how to vote). On a poll, every member present 
in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall 
have one vote for every ordinary share held. 
Subject to the relevant statutory provisions 
and the Company’s Articles of Association, 
holders of ordinary shares are entitled to a 
dividend where declared or paid out of 
profits available for such purposes. Subject 
to the relevant statutory provisions and the 
Company’s Articles of Association, on a 
return of capital on a winding-up, holders of 
ordinary shares are entitled, after repayment 
of the £1 Special Share, to participate in such 
a return. There are no redemption rights in 
relation to the ordinary shares.

Rights and obligations of the Special Share
The Special Share is held on behalf of the 
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and 
Industrial Strategy (the ‘Special Shareholder’). 
Certain provisions of the Company’s Articles 
of Association cannot be amended without 
the consent of the Special Shareholder. These 
provisions include the requirement that no 
foreign person, or foreign persons acting in 
concert, can have more than a 15% voting 
interest in the Company, the requirement that 
the majority of the directors are British, and 
the requirement that the Chief Executive and 
any executive Chairman are British.

The holder of the Special Share is entitled to 
attend a general meeting, but the Special 
Share carries no right to vote or any other 
rights at any such meeting, other than to 
speak in relation to any business in respect of 
the Special Share. Subject to the relevant 
statutory provisions and the Company’s 
Articles of Association, on a return of capital 
on a winding-up, the holder of the Special 
Share shall be entitled to repayment of the 
£1 capital paid up on the Special Share in 
priority to any repayment of capital to any 
other members.

The holder of the Special Share has the 
right to require the Company to redeem the 
Special Share at par or convert the Special 
Share into one ordinary share at any time.

Restrictions on transfer of securities
The restrictions on the transfer of shares in 
the Company are as follows:

–  the Special Share may only be issued to, 
held by and transferred to the Special 
Shareholder or his successor or nominee;

–  the directors shall not register any allotment 
or transfer of any shares to a foreign person, 
or foreign persons acting in concert, who 
at the time have more than a 15% voting 
interest in the Company, or who would, 
following such allotment or transfer, have 
such an interest;

–  the directors shall not register any person 
as a holder of any shares unless they have 
received: (i) a declaration stating that upon 
registration, the share(s) will not be held by 
foreign persons or that upon registration 
the share(s) will be held by a foreign person 
or persons; (ii) such evidence (if any) as 
the directors may require of the authority 
of the signatory of the declaration; and 
(iii) such evidence or information (if any) as 
to the matters referred to in the declaration 
as the directors consider appropriate;

–  the directors may, in their absolute 

discretion, refuse to register any transfer 
of shares which are not fully paid up 
(but not so as to prevent dealings in listed 
shares from taking place);

–  the directors may also refuse to register any 
instrument of transfer of shares unless the 
instrument of transfer is in respect of only 
one class of share and it is lodged at the 
place where the register of members is kept, 
accompanied by a relevant certificate or 
such other evidence as the directors may 
reasonably require to show the right of the 
transferor to make the transfer;

–  the directors may refuse to register an 

allotment or transfer of shares in favour 
of more than four persons jointly;

–  where a shareholder has failed to provide 
the Company with certain information 
relating to their interest in shares, the 
directors can, in certain circumstances, 
refuse to register a transfer of such shares;

–  certain restrictions may from time to time 
be imposed by laws and regulations (for 
example, insider trading laws);

–  restrictions may be imposed pursuant to 
the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct 
Authority whereby certain of the Group’s 
employees require the Company’s approval 
to deal in shares; and

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016114

Statutory and other information 
continued

Appointment and replacement of directors
Subject to certain nationality requirements 
mentioned below, the Company may by 
ordinary resolution appoint any person to 
be a director.

The directors also have the power to make 
appointments to the Board at any time. 
Any individual so appointed will hold office 
until the next AGM and shall then be eligible 
for re-election.

The majority of directors holding office must 
be British. Otherwise, the directors who are 
not British shall vacate office in such order 
that those who have been in office for the 
shortest period since their appointment shall 
vacate their office first, unless all of the 
directors otherwise agree among themselves. 
Any director who holds the office of either 
Chairman (in an executive capacity) or Chief 
Executive shall also be British.

The Company must have not less than six 
directors holding office at all times. If the 
number is reduced to below six, then such 
number of persons shall be appointed as 
directors as soon as is reasonably practicable 
to reinstate the number of directors to six. 
The Company may by ordinary resolution 
from time to time vary the minimum number 
of directors.

At each AGM of the Company, any director 
who was elected or last re-elected at or 
before the AGM held in the third calendar 
year before the then current calendar year 
must retire by rotation and such further 
directors must retire by rotation so that in 
total one-third of the directors retire by 
rotation each year. A retiring director is 
eligible for re-election. It is the Board’s 
intention that all directors will stand for 
election or re-election in 2017 in compliance 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Amendment of the Company’s Articles 
of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association may 
only be amended by a special resolution at a 
general meeting of shareholders. Where class 
rights are varied, such amendments must be 
approved by the members of each class of 
shares separately.

In addition, certain provisions of the Articles 
of Association cannot be amended without 
the consent of the Special Shareholder. These 
provisions include the requirement that no 
foreign person, or foreign persons acting in 
concert, can have more than a 15% voting 
interest in the Company, the requirement that 
the majority of the directors are British, and 
the requirement that the Chief Executive and 
any executive Chairman are British.

Powers of the directors
The directors are responsible for the 
management of the business of the Company 
and may exercise all powers of the Company 
subject to applicable legislation and 
regulation, and the Articles of Association.

At the 2016 AGM, the directors were given 
the power to buy back a maximum number 
of 316,716,098 ordinary shares at a minimum 
price of 2.5p each. The maximum price was 
the higher of (i) an amount equal to 105% of 
the average of the middle market quotations 
of the Company’s ordinary shares as derived 
from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official 
List for the five business days immediately 
preceding the day on which such ordinary 
shares are contracted to be purchased, 
and (ii) the higher of the price of the last 
independent trade and the highest current 
independent bid on the London Stock 
Exchange as stipulated in Article 5(1) of the 
Buy-back and Stabilisation Regulation or, 
from 3 July 2016, Commission-adopted 
Regulatory Technical Standards pursuant to 
article 5(6) of the Market Abuse Regulation. 

This power will expire at the earlier of the 
conclusion of the 2017 AGM or 30 June 2017. 
A special resolution will be proposed at the 
2017 AGM to renew the Company’s authority 
to acquire its own shares.

At the 2016 AGM, the directors were given 
the power to issue new shares up to a nominal 
amount of £26,390,369. This power will 
expire on the earlier of the conclusion of the 
2017 AGM or 30 June 2017. Accordingly, a 
resolution will be proposed at the 2017 AGM 
to renew the Company’s authority to issue 
further new shares. At the 2016 AGM, the 
directors were also given the power to issue 
new issue shares up to a further nominal 
amount of £26,390,369 in connection with 
an offer by way of a rights issue. This authority 
too will expire on the earlier of the conclusion 
of the 2017 AGM or 30 June 2017, and a 
resolution will be proposed at the 2017 AGM 
to renew this additional authority.

Conflicts of interest
As permitted under the Companies Act 2006, 
the Company’s Articles of Association contain 
provisions which enable the Board to authorise 
conflicts or potential conflicts that individual 
directors may have.

To avoid potential conflicts of interest the 
Board requires the Nominations Committee 
to check that any individuals it nominates for 
appointment to the Board are free of potential 
conflicts. In addition, the Board’s procedures 
and the induction programme for new 
directors emphasise a director’s personal 
responsibility for complying with the duties 
relating to conflicts of interest. The procedure 
adopted by the Board for the authorisation 
of conflicts reminds directors of the need to 
consider their duties as directors and not grant 
an authorisation unless they believe, in good 
faith, that this would be likely to promote the 
success of the Company. As required by law, 
the potentially conflicted director cannot vote 
on an authorisation resolution or be counted 
in the quorum. Any authorisation granted may 
be terminated at any time and the director is 
informed of the obligation to inform the 
Company without delay should there be any 
material change in the nature of the conflict 
or potential conflict so authorised.

Directors’ indemnities
The Company has entered into deeds of 
indemnity with all its current directors and 
those persons who were directors for any 
part of 2016 which are qualifying indemnity 
provisions for the purpose of the Companies 
Act 2006.

The directors of BAE Systems Pension Funds 
Trustees Limited, BAE Systems 2000 Pension 
Plan Trustees Limited, BAE Systems Executive 
Pension Scheme Trustees Limited and Alvis 
Pension Scheme Trustees Limited benefit from 
indemnities in the governing documentation 
of the BAE Systems Pension Scheme, the 
BAE Systems 2000 Pension Plan, the 
BAE Systems Executive Pension Scheme and 
the Alvis Pension Scheme, respectively, which 
are qualifying indemnity provisions for the 
purpose of the Companies Act 2006.

All such indemnity provisions are in force as 
at the date of this Directors’ report.

Change of control – significant agreements
The following significant agreements contain 
provisions entitling the counterparties to 
exercise termination, alteration or other similar 
rights in the event of a change of control of 
the Company:

–  The Group has entered into a £2bn 

Revolving Credit Facility dated 12 December 
2013 which provides that, in the event of 
a change of control of the Company, the 
lenders are entitled to renegotiate terms, 
or if no agreement is reached on negotiated 
terms within a certain period, to call for the 
repayment or cancellation of the facility. 
The Revolving Credit Facility was undrawn 
as at 31 December 2016. 

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016115

–  The Company has entered into a Restated 
and Amended Shareholders Agreement 
with European Aeronautic Defence and 
Space Company EADS N.V. (EADS) and 
Finmeccanica S.p.A. (Finmeccanica) relating 
to MBDA S.A.S. dated 18 December 2001 
(as amended). In the event that control of 
the Company passes to certain specified 
third-party acquirors, the agreement allows 
EADS and Finmeccanica to exercise an 
option to terminate certain executive 
management level nomination and voting 
rights, and certain shareholder information 
rights of the Company in relation to the 
MBDA joint venture. Following the exercise 
of this option, the Company would have 
the right to require the other shareholders 
to purchase its interest in MBDA at fair 
market value.

The Company and EADS have agreed 
that if Finmeccanica acquires a controlling 
interest in the Company, EADS will increase 
its shareholding in MBDA to 50% by 
purchasing the appropriate number of 
shares in MBDA at fair market value.

–  The Company, BAE Systems, Inc., 

BAE Systems (Holdings) Limited and 
BAE Systems Holdings Inc. entered into 
a Special Security Agreement dated 
23 October 2015 with the US Department 
of Defense regarding the management 
of BAE Systems, Inc. in order to comply 
with the US government’s national security 
requirements. In the event of a change 
of control of the Company, the Agreement 
may be terminated or altered by the US 
Department of Defense.

–  In July 2009, BVT Surface Fleet Limited 

(now BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited) 
and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) 
entered into a definitive Terms of Business 
Agreement (ToBA) which sets out a 15-year 
partnering arrangement, including lead roles 
for the BVT business on defined surface 
shipbuilding and support programmes. 
Where the MoD considers that a proposed 
change of control of BAE Systems Surface 
Ships Limited would be contrary to the 
defence, national security or national 
interest of the UK, then the change of 
control shall not proceed until agreement 
with the MoD is established. In the event 
that there is a change of control of 
BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited 
notwithstanding the objection of the MoD 
on such grounds, the MoD shall be entitled 
to terminate the ToBA immediately without 
compensation or termination charges.

On 30 September 2014, BAE Systems 
Surface Ships Limited and the MoD entered 
into an agreement which sets out terms for 
the progressive suspension, amendment and 
termination of the ToBA through the entering 
into of other contracts, such as the Maritime 
Support Delivery Framework (MSDF) 
agreement (see below) which triggered the 
deletion of elements of the ToBA relating to 
surface ship support. The current scope of 
the ToBA has, therefore, been reduced to 
focus on surface shipbuilding and the MoD 
retains its right to terminate the ToBA if 
there is a change of control notwithstanding 
the objection of the MoD.

–  The MSDF agreement between BAE Systems 
Surface Ships Limited and the MoD became 
effective on 1 October 2014 and establishes 
a framework until March 2019 for the 
provision of surface ship support work 
and services relating to HM Naval Base 
Portsmouth. Where the MoD considers 
that a proposed change of control of 
BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited would 
be contrary to the defence, national security 
or national interest of the UK, then the 
change of control shall not proceed until 
agreement with the MoD is established. 
If there is a change of control without 
notice or notwithstanding the objection 
of the MoD, the MoD shall be entitled 
to terminate the MSDF.

–  In August 2008, BAE Systems Land 

Systems (Munitions & Ordnance) Limited 
(now BAE Systems Global Combat Systems 
Munitions Limited) and the MoD entered 
into a 15-year partnering agreement for 
the provision of ammunition to UK Forces 
(the Munitions Acquisition Supply Solution 
(MASS) partnering agreement). Where 
the MoD considers that a proposed change 
of control of BAE Systems Global Combat 
Systems Munitions Limited would be 
contrary to the defence, national security 
or national interest of the UK, then the 
change of control shall not proceed until 
agreement with the MoD is established. 
In the event that there is a change of control 
of BAE Systems Global Combat Systems 
Munitions Limited, notwithstanding the 
objection of the MoD on such grounds, 
the MoD may, having followed the dispute 
resolution process, terminate the MASS 
agreement for default.

–  In November 2012, BAE Systems Marine 
Limited entered into a contract with the 
MoD for the design, construction, testing 
and commissioning of Boat 4 of the Astute 
Class programme. In November 2015, 
BAE Systems Marine Limited entered into 
a contract with the MoD for the design, 
construction, testing and commissioning 
of Boat 5 of the Astute Class programme. 
Where the MoD considers that a proposed 
change of control of BAE Systems Marine 
Limited would be contrary to the defence, 
national security or national interest of the 
UK, then the change of control shall not 
proceed until agreement is established with 
the MoD. In the event that there is a change 
of control of BAE Systems Marine Limited, 
notwithstanding the objection of the MoD 
on such grounds, the MoD shall be entitled 
to terminate the agreements immediately.

–  In December 2011, BAE Systems Marine 
Limited entered into a contract with the 
MoD for the design of the Dreadnought 
submarines. Where the MoD considers that 
a change of control of BAE Systems Marine 
Limited would be contrary to the defence, 
national interest or national security of the 
UK, then the change of control shall not take 
place until agreement is reached with the 
MoD on how to proceed. In the event that 
there is a change of control notwithstanding 
the objection of the MoD on such grounds, 
the MoD shall be entitled to terminate the 
contract with immediate effect.

–  In September 2016, BAE Systems Marine 
Limited entered into a contract with the 
MoD for the first phase of manufacture 
of Boat 1 of the Dreadnought Class 
programme. The MoD is entitled to 
terminate the contract in the event of a 
change of control of BAE Systems Marine 
Limited, provided that the MoD must act 
reasonably in exercising this right.

In addition, the Company’s share plans 
contain provisions as a result of which options 
and awards may vest and become exercisable 
on a change of control of the Company in 
accordance with the rules of the plans.

Auditors
KPMG LLP have indicated their willingness 
to be re-appointed as the auditors for the 
Company and a resolution proposing their 
re-appointment will be put to the 2017 AGM. 
As detailed in the Audit Committee report 
on page 72, an audit re-tender is currently 
in progress (in which the current incumbent 
is not competing) with the intention of 
proposing the appointment of new auditors 
at the 2018 AGM.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016116

Statutory and other information 
continued

Statement of directors’ responsibilities 
in respect of the Annual Report and 
financial statements
The directors are responsible for preparing 
the Annual Report, and the Group and parent 
company financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to 
prepare Group and parent company financial 
statements for each financial year. Under 
that law they are required to prepare the 
Group financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and 
applicable law, and have elected to prepare 
the parent company financial statements in 
accordance with UK accounting standards 
and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice), including Financial 
Reporting Standard (FRS) 101, Reduced 
Disclosure Framework.

Under company law the directors must not 
approve the financial statements unless they 
are satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
of the state of affairs of the Group and parent 
company, and of their profit or loss for that 
period. In preparing each of the Group and 
parent company financial statements, the 
directors are required to:
–  select suitable accounting policies and 

then apply them consistently;

–  make judgements and estimates that 

are reasonable and prudent;

–  for the Group financial statements, 

state whether they have been prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the EU;

–  for the parent company financial 

statements, state whether applicable UK 
accounting standards have been followed, 
subject to any material departures disclosed 
and explained in the parent company 
financial statements; and

–  prepare the financial statements on the 

going concern basis unless it is inappropriate 
to presume that the Group and the parent 
company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are 
sufficient to show and explain the parent 
company’s transactions, and disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the parent company and enable 
them to ensure that its financial statements 
comply with the Companies Act 2006. 
They have general responsibility for taking 
such steps as are reasonably open to 
them to safeguard the assets of the Group, 
and to prevent and detect fraud and 
other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the 
directors are also responsible for preparing 
a strategic report, directors’ report, directors’ 
remuneration report and corporate 
governance statement that comply with 
that law and those regulations.

The directors are responsible for the 
maintenance and integrity of the corporate 
and financial information included on the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the UK 
governing the preparation and dissemination 
of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

Statement of disclosure of information 
to auditors
The directors who held office at the date 
of approval of this Directors’ report confirm 
that, so far as they are each aware, there is 
no relevant audit information of which the 
Company’s auditors are unaware; and each 
director has taken all the steps that he/she 
ought to have taken to make himself/herself 
aware of any relevant audit information and 
to establish that the Company’s auditors are 
aware of that information.

Responsibility statement of the 
directors in respect of the Annual 
Report and financial statements
Each of the directors listed below confirms 
that to the best of their knowledge:
–  the financial statements, prepared in 
accordance with the applicable set of 
accounting standards, give a true and 
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and profit or loss of the Company, 
and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole; and

–  the Strategic report and Directors’ report, 
taken together, include a fair review of 
the development and performance of the 
business, and the position of the Company 
and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together 
with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face.

In addition, each of the directors considers 
that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, 
is fair, balanced and understandable, and 
provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s 
position and performance, business model 
and strategy.

Sir Roger Carr

Chairman

Ian King

Jerry DeMuro

Chief Executive

President and Chief 
Executive Officer of 
BAE Systems, Inc.

Peter Lynas

Group Finance Director

Charles Woodburn

Chief Operating Officer

Elizabeth Corley

Non-executive director

Harriet Green

Non-executive director

On behalf of the Board

Chris Grigg

Non-executive director

David Parkes
Company Secretary 
22 February 2017

Paula Rosput Reynolds

Non-executive director

Nick Rose

Ian Tyler

Non-executive director

Non-executive director

On behalf of the Board

Sir Roger Carr
Chairman 
22 February 2017

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016Independent Auditor’s report
to the members of BAE Systems plc only

117

Opinions and conclusions arising 
from our audit
1. Our opinion on the financial 
statements is unmodified 
We have audited the financial statements of 
BAE Systems for the year ended 31 December 
2016 set out on pages 122 to 186.

In our opinion: 
–  the financial statements give a true and fair 
view of the state of the Group’s and of the 
parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 
2016 and of the Group’s profit for the year 
then ended; 

–  the Group financial statements have been 

properly prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
as adopted by the European Union; 

–  the parent company financial statements 

have been properly prepared in accordance 
with UK accounting standards, including 
FRS 101, Reduced Disclosure Framework; and
–  the financial statements have been prepared 
in accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation. 

2. Our assessment of risks of material 
misstatement
In arriving at our audit opinion above on 
the financial statements, the risks of material 
misstatement that had the greatest effect 
on our audit, in decreasing order of audit 
significance, were as follows:

Recognition of revenues and profits 
on long-term contracts
Refer to page 73 (Audit Committee report) and pages 
128 to 131 (accounting policy and financial disclosures)

Revenue on long-term contracts: 
£11,659m (2015 £11,139m)

Risk versus 2015: 

Audit risk
A significant proportion of the Group’s 
revenues and profits are derived from 
long-term contracts.

These contracts include complex technical 
and commercial requirements and often 
specify performance milestones to be achieved 
throughout the contract period, which can 
last many years. At each balance sheet date, 
estimates and assumptions involving a high 
degree of judgement and estimation 
uncertainty are required in order to:
–  assess the proportion of revenues to 

recognise in line with milestones achieved 
and contract completion;

–  forecast the outturn, and cumulative 

to date, profit margin on each contract, 
incorporating appropriate allowances for 
technical and commercial risks related to 
performance milestones yet to be achieved, 
particularly in the case of fixed-price 
contracts; and

–  appropriately identify, value and provide 

for loss-making contracts.

The directors have a detailed framework, 
called Lifecycle Management (LCM), in place 
to manage the commercial, technical and 
financial aspects of long-term contracts. 
The LCM framework includes the regular 
preparation of a Contract Status Report (CSR), 
which includes key financial and forecast 
information for the relevant contract.

The risk of material misstatement is that 
the accounting for the Group’s significant 
contracts does not accurately reflect the 
progress made and status of the relevant 
contract at the reporting date.

The contracts requiring the highest degree 
of judgement that occupied a significant 
proportion of the audit effort included:
–  Astute Class submarines;
–  Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers;
–  Saudi British Defence Co-operation 

Programme;

–  Typhoon aircraft contracts (European, 

Saudi and Omani);

–  JP 2008; and
–  US commercial shipbuilding contracts.

Procedures to address these audit risks 
included those listed below
We critically assessed the adequacy of the 
design and tested the effective operation 
of key controls within the LCM framework 
and supporting contract-related balances, 
including:
–  transactional controls that underpin the 

production of long-term contract-related 
balances, including cost information on 
contracts, such as the purchase-to-pay 
cycle and payroll controls;

–  programme-level controls, such as periodic 
peer reviews performed by experienced 
individuals independent to the contract 
to challenge assumptions made and 
judgements taken at pre-determined 
stages of the contract lifecycle; and
–  higher-level controls, such as monthly 

contract review meetings and quarterly 
business unit review meetings. 

For significant contracts (including those 
listed in our audit risk description), determined 
on the basis of the current and future 
technical or commercial complexity, financial 
significance and any forecast to be in 
significant loss-making positions, we also:
–  obtained an understanding of the 

performance and status of the contract 
through discussion with contract project 
teams, Group and business unit directors, 
as well as through attendance at project 
teams’ contract review meetings;

–  challenged the Group’s positions through 
the examination of externally available 
evidence, such as customer correspondence 
and, in the case of one significant 
programme, met the customer directly 
to further corroborate the status of 
contracts and recoverability of debtors;
–  assessed the consistency of information 
presented in the year-end CSRs with the 
underlying ledgers, as well as other financial 
information received and knowledge gained 
through the above procedures; and

–  used our cumulative knowledge of contract 

issues to challenge the appropriateness 
of the contract positions reflected in the 
financial statements at the year end. This 
included testing that revenue was recognised 
in the correct period around the year-end 
date, the assessment of profit margin traded 
on contracts based on milestones achieved 
and allowances made for risks, as well as 
any central overlays to positions reported 
by subsidiaries.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
118

Independent Auditor’s report 
continued

Net retirement benefit obligations
Refer to page 73 (Audit Committee report) and pages 
155 to 163 (accounting policy and financial disclosures)

Group’s share of net IAS 19 deficit: 
£6,054m (2015 £4,501m)

Risk versus 2015: 

Audit risk
The Group’s share of the pension schemes’ 
net deficit was £6,054m (2015 £4,501m) 
after allocating £516m (2015 £1,053m) to 
equity accounted investments. 

The determination of the pension scheme 
liabilities is dependent on market conditions 
and the setting of key assumptions, such 
as discount rate, inflation forecasts and 
life expectancy. 

There is a considerable amount of judgement 
required in setting these assumptions and, 
given the size of the schemes, small changes 
in assumptions and estimates used can have 
a significant impact on the Group’s share of 
the retirement benefit obligations.

Further assumptions are made in the 
determination of the Group’s share of assets 
and liabilities of the multi-employer schemes 
in which it participates, principally in relation 
to changes in the methodology in allocation 
of the share to MBDA. As of 1 April 2016, 
the BAE Systems Pension Scheme, the 
largest scheme for which BAE Systems is 
a participating employer, representing 54% 
of the total retirement benefit obligation as 
at 31 December 2015, underwent a legal 
separation which removed Airbus as a 
participating employer. Consequently, the 
risk associated with the allocation of the 
multi-employer schemes has reduced.

Procedures to address these audit risks 
included those listed below
In respect of the valuation of the obligations: 
We assessed the independence and 
competence of the Group’s external actuaries. 
With the assistance of our own actuarial 
specialists, we assessed the key assumptions 
used in the Group’s retirement benefit 
obligations valuation, including the discount 
rate, inflation and life expectancy assumptions 
against externally-derived data. In order to 
assess the reasonableness of these assumptions, 
we performed a benchmarking exercise 
against comparator companies’ assumptions.

In respect of the multi-employer allocations: 
We considered whether the methodology 
used to allocate a proportion of the Group’s 
retirement benefit obligations to the other 
participating employers was appropriate. 
We examined agreements between the 
Group and the other participating employers 
to assess the allocation.

In respect of the disclosures: We considered 
the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures in 
respect of the key assumptions, including 
the sensitivity of the deficit to changes in 
these assumptions.

Valuation of goodwill
Refer to page 73 (Audit Committee report) and pages 
139 to 141 (accounting policy and financial disclosures)

Goodwill: £10,902m (2015 £9,840m)

Risk versus 2015: 

Audit risk
The Group holds a significant amount of 
goodwill relating to UK and overseas 
(principally US) acquisitions from the past 
15 years. The estimated recoverable amounts 
are subjective due to the inherent uncertainty 
involved in forecasting and discounting future 
cash flows and in estimating recoverable 
amounts of fair value less costs to sell. 

The uncertainty over future US defence 
spending as a whole has reduced slightly in 
the last year, where we have seen the forecast 
increase in the defence bill. However, the 
allocation of the budget between BAE Systems 
and competitors remains uncertain. This places 
continued importance on the US business to 
secure export contracts. Both of these factors 
contribute to the risk that the goodwill 
allocated to the Group’s US Cash-Generating 
Units (CGUs) will not be recoverable, although 
we consider this risk to have reduced.

Most of the remaining goodwill is allocated 
to CGUs based in the UK. Whilst there is still 
inherent risk in forecasting future cash flows 
for these businesses, many of them contain 
sizeable order backlogs, much of which is with 
government customers, giving some certainty 
to support the forecasts. We consider the 
valuation risks around those CGUs to be lower.

The Applied Intelligence CGU operates in 
a highly competitive and more fragmented 
market where significant investment is required 
for growth and where future business pipeline 
is much shorter than in most other business 
units in the Group. As such, we consider the 
uncertainty in forecasting cash flows higher 
and the valuation of this CGU to have a 
higher risk. 

The Group’s annual goodwill impairment 
testing is based on the five-year Integrated 
Business Plan (IBP) forecasts. We focus audit 
effort and procedures on how the directors 
exercised judgement in the preparation of the 
IBP due to the inherent uncertainty involved 
in forecasting cash flows and determining 
discount rates, which are the basis of the 
assessment of goodwill recoverability. 

The Group’s 2016 testing did not identify 
any impairment charges (2015 £75m 
impairment charge against the US 
Intelligence & Security CGU).

Given the uncertainty associated with 
the valuation of the recoverable amounts, 
transparent disclosures and clarity of 
sensitivities to key assumptions are critical 
to help inform readers how the directors 
have made their assessment.

Procedures to address these audit risks 
included those listed below
In respect of the assessment of CGUs: 
We challenged the directors’ assessment 
of CGUs with reference to the requirements 
of accounting standards and considered the 
operating and management structure 
changes, during the year, in our understanding 
of the business. We also critically assessed 
whether the allocation of goodwill to those 
CGUs was done on a consistent and 
reasonable basis.

In respect of cash flows: We considered the 
Group’s procedures used to develop the 
forecasts and the principles and integrity of the 
Group’s discounted cash flow model compared 
to the requirements within IAS 36, Impairment 
of Assets. To challenge the reasonableness of 
those cash flows, we: assessed the historical 
accuracy of the Group’s forecasting, in 
particular the ability to reliably forecast cash 
flows in the fifth year of the model (which 
underpins the terminal value); and considered 
the forecasts with reference to publicly 
available information, such as projections 
of future defence expenditure. 

In respect of the discount rate: We compared 
the Group’s assumptions to externally-derived 
data (for example, bond yields and inflation 
statistics) where appropriate. We conducted 
our own assessments to challenge other key 
inputs, such as projected economic growth, 
gearing and CGU-specific factors that 
contribute to forecasting risk. Our own 
valuation specialists assisted us in assessing 
the overall discount rate used.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
119

In respect of CGU recoverable amounts: In 
one instance, we compared the recoverable 
amount of a CGU with transaction multiples 
available for similar companies. 

As an additional sense check to challenge the 
recoverable value of goodwill as a whole, we 
compared the sum of discounted cash flows 
with the Group’s market capitalisation.

In respect of sensitivity of the goodwill 
valuation to the key assumptions: We have run 
scenario-specific models including changes to 
the discount rate and forecast cash flows as 
well as break-even analyses to stress-test the 
valuations of CGUs’ recoverable amounts.

In respect of the disclosures: We assessed 
whether the Group’s disclosures about the 
sensitivities to changes in key assumptions 
reflected the risks inherent in the valuation 
of goodwill as well as our knowledge of 
the business.

Tax accruals
Refer to page 74 (Audit Committee report) and pages 123 
and 135 to 137 (accounting policy and financial disclosures)

Tax accruals: £365m (2015 £353m)

Risk versus 2015: 

Audit risk
Accruals for tax contingencies require the 
directors to make judgements and estimates 
in relation to tax risks. This is one of the key 
judgement areas that our audit is concentrated 
on due to the Group operating in a number of 
tax jurisdictions, the complexities of local and 
international tax legislation, and the number of 
years which some matters can take to resolve.

The tax matters are at various stages, from the 
first identification of risks to discussions with 
tax authorities and through to tax tribunal or 
court proceedings. The risk to the financial 
statements is that the eventual resolution of 
a matter with tax authorities is at an amount 
materially different from the estimated accrual.

Procedures to address these audit risks 
included those listed below
Together with our own UK and international 
tax specialists, we assessed all large or 
unusual items affecting the effective tax rate 
and challenged whether or not any current 
year items would indicate a requirement for 
further accruals.

In considering the judgements to recognise tax 
accruals, our own international and local tax 
specialists assisted us in assessing the Group’s 
tax positions and the likelihood of future 
cash outflows. This included the assessment 
of its correspondence with the relevant tax 
authorities and government bodies, the 
Group’s external tax advisers and third parties. 
We also used our knowledge and experience 
of the application of the international and 
local legislation by the relevant authorities 
and courts in order to challenge the positions 
taken by the directors. In support of these 
discussions, we separately met with certain 
external tax advisers of the Group.

We analysed and challenged the assumptions 
used to estimate the tax accruals and tested 
the accuracy of calculations. 

We have also considered the adequacy of 
the Group’s tax disclosures, including the 
requirements for disclosure of any 
contingent liabilities.

Deferred tax assets on UK retirement 
benefit obligation
Refer to page 74 (Audit Committee report) and pages 123 
and 150 to 152 (accounting policy and financial disclosures)

Deferred tax asset: £1,212m (2015 £908m)

Risk versus 2015:  New risk 

Audit risk
The directors are required to estimate the 
value of deferred tax assets and to record 
those assets to the extent their recovery is 
probable. This requires a significant element 
of judgement.

The majority of the deferred tax asset balance 
is in relation to the Group’s retirement benefit 
obligations. As a result of the increase in the 
valuation of the Group’s share of the net 
retirement benefit obligations, the Group’s 
related deferred tax asset has also increased. 
Compared with last year, the period required 
for the Group to recover the full amount of 
deferred tax has consequently increased, and 
more judgement is required to estimate how 
much of this balance is recoverable. For this 
reason, we have determined that the audit 
risk has increased.

The risk to the financial statements is that the 
amount of deferred tax assets recognised is 
materially different from the amount that will 
be recovered.

Procedures to address these audit risks 
included those listed below
We assessed and challenged the directors 
on their judgement, in particular as to why 
it is deemed probable that the deferred tax 
assets recognised will be recovered, including 
the following considerations: 
–  the appropriateness and reliability of 

forecasts used by the directors to estimate 
the recovery period; 

–  the consistency of this judgement with other 

assumptions and estimates made by the 
directors used to test impairment of assets, 
including goodwill; and

–  the timeframe of the pension deficit 

recovery plan.

In particular, we considered the current 
and recent taxation position of the Group’s 
UK entities (the largest element of the 
pension deficit funding falls in the UK) 
and the trading prospects of those entities 
represented in forecasts, secured orders 
and other secured programmes.

3. Our application of materiality and 
an overview of the scope of our audit
The materiality for the Group financial 
statements as a whole was set at £55m 
(2015 £55m), determined with reference to 
a benchmark of Group profit before taxation 
from continuing operations (normalised to 
remove the effects of goodwill impairments), 
of which it represents 4.8% (2015 4.7%).

We reported to the Audit Committee 
any corrected or uncorrected identified 
misstatements exceeding £2.75m (2015 
£2.75m) and those relating wholly to 
balance sheet classification exceeding 
£13.75m (2015 £32m) in addition to other 
identified misstatements that warranted 
reporting on qualitative grounds.

Eleven (2015 11) of the Group’s 41 (2015 41) 
reporting components were audited for 
Group reporting purposes and a further 
14 (2015 11) were subject to specified 
risk-focused procedures. The latter were not 
individually financially significant enough to 
require an audit for Group reporting purposes, 
but did present specific individual risks that 
needed to be addressed.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
120

Independent Auditor’s report 
continued

The components within the scope of our work accounted for the following percentages 
of the Group’s results:

Audits for Group reporting purposes1

Specified risk-focused audit procedures2

Total

(2015 total)

Number of 
 components

Group 
revenue 
%

Group 
profit before 
taxation 
%

Group 
total  
assets 
%

11

14

25

22

69

25

94

92

80

13

93

89

84

10

94

93

1. In the UK, US, Saudi Arabia and Australia.
2. In the UK, US and Saudi Arabia.

For the remaining components, we performed 
analysis at an aggregated level to re-examine 
our assessment that there were no significant 
risks of material misstatements within these.

The Group audit team instructed component 
auditors as to the significant areas to be 
covered, including the relevant risks detailed 
above and the information to be reported 
back. The Group audit team approved the 
component materiality levels, which ranged 
from £4m to £37m (2015 £3m to £33m), 
having regard to the mix of size and risk 
profile of the Group across the components. 
The work on 20 of the 25 (2015 20 of the 
22) in-scope components was performed 
by component auditors and the remainder 
by the Group audit team.

The Group audit team hosted planning 
meetings in the spring and autumn attended 
by the most significant component teams 
from the UK, US and Saudi Arabia. In addition, 
the Group audit team visited component 
teams in the UK, US, Sweden, Saudi Arabia 
and Australia to assess the audit risk and 
strategy, discuss and calibrate the results 
of controls testing, and discuss preliminary 
findings of audit procedures. Video and 
telephone conference meetings were also held 
with these component auditors and any others 
that were not physically visited. At these visits 
and meetings, the findings reported to the 
Group audit team were discussed in more 
detail, and any further work required by 
the Group audit team was then performed 
by the component auditor.

4. Our opinion on other matters prescribed 
by the Companies Act 2006 is unmodified 
In our opinion:
–  the part of the Annual remuneration 

report required to be audited has been 
properly prepared in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2006; and

–  the information given in the Strategic 
report and the Directors’ report for 
the financial year is consistent with 
the financial statements.

Based solely on the work required to be 
undertaken in the course of the audit of the 
financial statements and from reading the 
Strategic report and the Directors’ report:
–  we have not identified material 

misstatements in those reports; and 
–  in our opinion, those reports have been 

prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006. 

5. We have nothing to report on the 
disclosures of principal risks
Based on the knowledge we acquired during 
our audit, we have nothing material to add or 
draw attention to in relation to: 
–  the directors’ risk management, internal 
control and viability assessment on page 
71 concerning the principal risks, their 
management and, based on that, the 
directors’ assessment and expectations 
of the Group continuing in operation over 
the five years to 2021; or

–  the disclosures in the preparation section of 
the financial statements concerning the use 
of the going concern basis of accounting. 

6. We have nothing to report in respect 
of the matters on which we are required 
to report by exception 
Under International Standards of Auditing 
(UK and Ireland), we are required to report to 
you if, based on the knowledge we acquired 
during our audit, we have identified other 
information in the Annual Report that 
contains a material inconsistency with either 
that knowledge or the financial statements, 
a material misstatement of fact, or that is 
otherwise misleading. 

In particular, we are required to report to you if: 
–  we have identified material inconsistencies 

between the knowledge we acquired during 
our audit and the directors’ statement that 
they consider that the Annual Report and 
financial statements taken as a whole is fair, 
balanced and understandable, and provides 
the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Group’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy; or

–  the Audit Committee report does not 

appropriately address matters communicated 
by us to the Audit Committee.

Under the Companies Act 2006, we are 
required to report to you if, in our opinion: 
–  adequate accounting records have not been 

kept by the parent company, or returns 
adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or 

–  the parent company financial statements 
and the part of the Annual remuneration 
report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns; or 
–  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration 

specified by law are not made; or 

–  we have not received all the information 

and explanations we require for our audit. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required 
to review: 
–  the directors’ statements, set out on 
page 71, in relation to going concern 
and longer-term viability; and 

–  the part of the Director’s report section 

relating to the Company’s compliance with 
the 11 provisions of the 2014 UK Corporate 
Governance Code specified for our review.

We have nothing to report in respect of the 
above responsibilities. 

Scope and responsibilities
As explained more fully in the directors’ 
responsibilities statement set out on page 
116, the directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial statements and 
for being satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view. A description of the scope of an 
audit of financial statements is provided on 
the Financial Reporting Council’s website at 
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. This 
report is made solely to the Company’s 
members as a body and is subject to important 
explanations and disclaimers regarding our 
responsibilities, published on our website at 
www.kpmg.com/uk/auditscopeukco2014a, 
which are incorporated into this report as if 
set out in full and should be read to provide 
an understanding of the purpose of this 
report, the work we have undertaken and 
the basis of our opinions.

Ian Starkey
Senior Statutory Auditor 

For and on behalf of 
KPMG LLP 
Statutory Auditor 

Chartered Accountants  
15 Canada Square 
London, E14 5GL 
22 February 2017

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016Financial 
statements

121

Company accounts

Company statement of  
comprehensive income 

Company statement  
of changes in equity 

Company balance sheet 

Notes to the Company accounts 

180

180

181

182

Group accounts

Preparation 

Consolidated income statement 

Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income 

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity 

Consolidated balance sheet 

Consolidated cash flow statement 

1.   Segmental analysis 

2.   Operating costs 

3.   Employees 

4.   Other income 

5.   Net finance costs 

6.   Taxation expense 

7.   Earnings per share 

8.   Intangible assets 

9.   Property, plant and equipment 

10. Investment property 

11. Equity accounted investments 

12. Trade and other receivables 

122

124

125

125

126

127

128

132

133

133

134

135

138

139

142

145

146

148

13. Other financial assets and liabilities 

14. Deferred tax 

15. Inventories 

16. Cash and cash equivalents 

17. Geographical analysis of assets 

18. Loans and overdrafts 

19. Trade and other payables 

20. Retirement benefits 

21. Provisions 

22. Share capital and other reserves 

23. Operating business cash flow 

24.  Net debt 

25. Fair value measurement 

26. Financial risk management 

27. Share-based payments 

28. Related party transactions 

29.  Contingent liabilities 

30.  Commitments 

31.  Information about 

related undertakings 

149

150

152

152

153

153

154

155

164

165

167

168

168

170

172

174

175

175

176

Group accounting policies
Accounting policies are included within 
the relevant note to the Group accounts.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016122

Group accounts

Preparation

Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements of BAE Systems plc have been prepared on a going concern basis, as discussed in the Directors’ report 
on page 71, and in accordance with EU-endorsed International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the Companies Act 2006 applicable 
to companies reporting under IFRS. 

The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling and, unless stated otherwise, rounded to the nearest million. They have 
been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets, and other relevant 
financial assets and financial liabilities (including derivative instruments). 

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date, with the resulting exchange differences 
recognised in the income statement.

Significant accounting policies
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out in the relevant notes. These 
policies have been applied consistently to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. The directors believe that the consolidated financial 
statements reflect appropriate judgements and estimates, and provide a true and fair view of the Group’s financial performance and position.

Critical accounting policies
Certain of the Group’s significant accounting policies are considered by the directors to be critical because of the level of complexity, judgement 
or estimation involved in their application and their impact on the consolidated financial statements. The critical accounting policies are listed 
below and explained in more detail in the relevant notes to the Group accounts: 

Notes

1

8

20

Critical accounting policy

Description

Revenue and profit recognition
– The recognition of revenue and profit 

on long-term contracts.

Carrying value of intangible assets
– The valuation of acquired intangible 

assets; and

– the determination of assumptions 

underpinning goodwill impairment  
testing.

Valuation of retirement benefit obligations
– The determination of assumptions 

underpinning the valuation of retirement 
benefit obligations for defined benefit 
pension schemes; and

– the determination of the share of the 

pension deficit allocated to the Group’s 
equity accounted investments.

The majority of long-term contracts are accounted for under IAS 11, Construction 
Contracts. Revenue on long-term contracts is recognised when performance 
milestones have been completed. Profit is recognised progressively as risks have been 
mitigated or retired.
The ultimate profitability of long-term contracts is estimated based on estimates of 
revenue and costs, including allowances for technical and other risks, which are reliant 
on the knowledge and experience of the Group’s project managers, engineers, and 
finance and commercial professionals. Material changes in these estimates could affect 
the profitability of individual contracts.
Revenue and cost estimates are reviewed and updated at least quarterly, and more 
frequently as determined by events or circumstances.

Acquired intangible assets, excluding goodwill, are valued in line with internationally 
used models, which require the use of estimates that may differ from actual outcomes. 
These assets are amortised over their estimated useful lives. Future results are impacted 
by the amortisation periods adopted and, potentially, any differences between 
estimated and actual circumstances related to individual intangible assets.
Goodwill is not amortised, but is tested annually for impairment and carried at cost 
less accumulated impairment losses. For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill 
is allocated to Cash-Generating Units on a consistent basis. The impairment review 
calculations require the use of estimates of the future profitability and cash-generating 
ability of the acquired businesses based on the Group’s five-year Integrated Business 
Plan and the pre-tax discount rate used in discounting these projected cash flows.

Pension scheme accounting valuations are prepared by independent actuaries. 
For each of the actuarial assumptions used to measure the Group’s pension scheme 
liabilities, there is a range of possible values and management estimates the point 
within that range that most appropriately reflects the Group’s circumstances. Small 
changes in these assumptions can have a significant impact on the size of the deficit.
The Group operates a number of multi-employer defined benefit pension schemes 
and allocates a share of the surpluses and deficits in those schemes to the equity 
accounted investments that participate in them.
On 1 April 2016, a separate Airbus section of the BAE Systems Pension Scheme 
(Main Scheme) was created, reducing the total IAS 19, Employee Benefits, deficit, 
with a corresponding reduction in the allocation to equity accounted investments.
The deficit allocation methodology for the remaining employers of the Main Scheme 
and for all other schemes is based on the relative payroll contributions of active 
members, which is consistent with prior years. Whilst this methodology is intended 
to reflect a reasonable estimate of the share of the deficit, it may not accurately reflect 
the obligations of the participating employers.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016123

Preparation continued

Other significant accounting policy judgements
In addition to the critical accounting policies, management exercises judgement in applying the Group’s accounting policies in respect of the 
following principal items:

Tax provisions
Management exercises judgement to determine the amount of tax provisions. Provision is made for known issues based on management’s 
interpretation of country-specific legislation and the likely outcome of negotiations or litigation. The Group’s approach is to consider each 
uncertain tax position separately. Where management considers it is probable (defined as more likely than not) that there will be a future outflow 
of funds to a tax authority, a provision is recognised. The position is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Provisions are measured using management’s 
best estimate of the most likely amount, being the single most likely amount in a range of possible outcomes. The Group discloses any significant 
uncertainties in relation to tax matters to the relevant tax authority. The resolution of tax positions taken by the Group can take a considerable 
period of time to conclude and, in some cases, it is difficult to predict the outcome. The directors believe that adequate provision is made for 
each known tax risk.

Included within the Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2016 are current tax liabilities of £311m (2015 £315m), which comprise a 
provision of £365m (2015 £353m) and other tax creditors of £51m (2015 £35m), offset by a debtor of £105m (2015 £73m) in respect of research 
and development expenditure credits. The provision of £365m (2015 £353m) is in respect of known tax issues, of which £325m (2015 £287m) 
relates to non-UK jurisdictions. Whilst there is inherent uncertainty regarding the timing of any resolution of tax positions, the Group does not 
consider that there is a significant risk of material change in 2017.

Deferred tax assets
Included within the net deferred tax asset of £1,241m at 31 December 2016 is £1,212m in respect of the deficits in the Group’s pension/retirement 
schemes (see note 14). It is management’s judgement that the Group will generate sufficient taxable profits to recover the net deferred tax asset 
recognised. This judgement requires the use of estimates of future taxable profits based on the Group’s Integrated Business Plan.

Changes in accounting policies
IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, issued in July 2014 with an effective date of 1 January 2018, was EU endorsed in November 2016. It is not expected 
to have a material impact on the Group.

IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, issued in May 2014 with an effective date of 1 January 2018, was EU endorsed in October 
2016. The standard requires the identification of performance obligations in contracts with customers and allocation of the total contractual value 
to each of the performance obligations identified. Revenue is recognised as each performance obligation is satisfied either at a point in time or 
over time. The standard will replace IAS 11, Construction Contracts, and IAS 18, Revenue.

An initial impact assessment has been undertaken which involved the review of all contract types across the Group. The assessment indicates that 
revenue on the Group’s long-term contracts currently being recognised based on the completion of separately identifiable phases (milestones) will 
cumulatively be recognised earlier under IFRS 15, which reflects the continual transfer of the benefits of the Group’s performance to the customer. 
It is expected that profit will continue to be recognised progressively as risks have been mitigated and retired and, accordingly, it is not expected 
that there will be a material impact on the timing of profit recognition. There is no impact on the timing of cash receipts, which are determined 
by the terms and conditions of contracts with the customers. The assessment has not indicated any significant changes will be required to the 
Group’s revenue recognition policy in respect of revenue from the sale of goods not under long-term contract, services or licences.

IFRS 16, Leases, issued in January 2016 with an effective date of 1 January 2019, is not yet EU endorsed. Currently, leases classified as operating 
leases are not recognised on the balance sheet. The impact of this standard will be to recognise a lease liability and corresponding asset on the 
Group’s balance sheet in respect of the majority of leases currently classified as operating leases.

Consolidation
The financial statements of the Group consolidate the results of the Company and its subsidiary entities, and include its share of its joint ventures’ 
results accounted for under the equity method. 

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Group. The Group controls a subsidiary when it is exposed, or has the rights, to variable returns from 
its involvement with the subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the subsidiary. 

The results of subsidiaries are included in the income statement from the date of acquisition.

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in preparing 
the consolidated financial statements.

Joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method where the Consolidated income statement includes the Group’s share of their profits 
and losses, and the Consolidated balance sheet includes its share of their net assets within equity accounted investments. 

The assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiaries and equity accounted investments are translated at the exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet 
date. The income statements of such entities are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. All resulting exchange differences are 
recognised directly in a separate component of equity. 

Translation differences that arose before the transition date to IFRS (1 January 2004) are presented in equity, but not as a separate component. 
When a foreign operation is sold, the cumulative exchange differences recognised in equity since 1 January 2004 are recognised in the income 
statement as part of the profit or loss on sale. 

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016124

Consolidated income statement 
for the year ended 31 December

Continuing operations
Sales
Deduct Share of sales by equity accounted investments
Add Sales to equity accounted investments
Revenue
Operating costs
Other income
Group operating profit
Share of results of equity accounted investments

Underlying EBITA 
Non-recurring items
EBITA
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets
Financial (expense)/income of equity accounted investments
Taxation expense of equity accounted investments

Operating profit

Financial income
Financial expense
Net finance costs
Profit before taxation
Taxation expense
Profit for the year

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

2016

Notes

£m

Total
£m

2015

£m

Total
£m

1
1
1
1
2
4

1

1
1

1
1
5
6
1

5

6

7

19,020
(2,427)
1,197

17,904
(2,719)
1,602

17,790
(16,274)
136
1,652
90

16,787
(15,622)
227
1,392
110

1,905
(12)
1,893
(87)
–
(28)
(36)

713
(1,304)

1,683
26
1,709
(108)
(78)
3
(24)

1,742

1,502

241
(653)

(591)
1,151
(213)
938

913
25
938

28.8p
28.7p

(412)
1,090
(147)
943

918
25
943

29.0p
28.9p

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016125

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
for the year ended 31 December

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement:

Subsidiaries:

Other 
reserves2
£m
–

2016

Retained
earnings
£m
938

Total
£m
938

Other 
reserves2
£m
–

20151

Retained 
earnings
£m
943

Total
£m
943

Notes

Remeasurements on retirement benefit schemes
Tax on items that will not be reclassified to the income statement

6

Equity accounted investments (net of tax)

Items that may be reclassified to the income statement:

Subsidiaries:

Currency translation on foreign currency net investments
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation reserve 

on disposal

Fair value loss on available-for-sale financial assets
Amounts credited to hedging reserve
Tax on items that may be reclassified to the income statement

6

Equity accounted investments (net of tax)

Total other comprehensive income for the year (net of tax)
Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders
Non-controlling interests

–
–
–

(1,468)
260
(53)

(1,468)
260
(53)

–
–
–

864
(258)
18

864
(258)
18

1,287

–

1,287

260

–

260

–
–
96
(17)
45
1,411
1,411

1,408
3
1,411

–
–
–
–
–
(1,261)
(323)

–
–
96
(17)
45
150
1,088

(348)
25
(323)

1,060
28
1,088

20
–
11
(2)
(74)
215
215

216
(1)
215

–
(1)
–
–
–
623
1,566

1,541
25
1,566

20
(1)
11
(2)
(74)
838
1,781

1,757
24
1,781

1.  Re-presented in accordance with Amendments to IAS 1: Disclosure Initiative.
2.  An analysis of other reserves is provided in note 22.

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
for the year ended 31 December

At 1 January 2016
Profit for the year
Total other comprehensive income for the year 
Share-based payments (inclusive of tax)
Net sale of own shares
Ordinary share dividends
Partial disposal of shareholding in subsidiary undertaking
At 31 December 2016

At 1 January 2015
Profit for the year
Total other comprehensive income for the year 
Share-based payments
Net sale of own shares
Ordinary share dividends
Disposal of non-controlling interest
At 31 December 2015

1.  An analysis of other reserves is provided in note 22.

Attributable to equity holders of the parent

Issued
share
capital
£m
87
–
–
–
–
–
–
87

87
–
–
–
–
–
–
87

Share
premium
£m
1,249
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,249

1,249
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,249

Other 
reserves1
£m
5,277
–
1,408
–
–
–
–
6,685

5,061
–
216
–
–
–
–
5,277

Retained 
earnings
£m
(3,624)
913
(1,261)
59
3
(670)
(3)
(4,583)

(4,555)
918
623
44
1
(655)
–
(3,624)

Non-
controlling
interests
£m
13
25
3
–
–
(24)
9
26

35
25
(1)
–
–
(40)
(6)
13

Total
£m
2,989
913
147
59
3
(670)
(3)
3,438

1,842
918
839
44
1
(655)
–
2,989

Total
equity
£m
3,002
938
150
59
3
(694)
6
3,464

1,877
943
838
44
1
(695)
(6)
3,002

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016126

Consolidated balance sheet 
as at 31 December

Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Equity accounted investments
Other investments
Other receivables
Retirement benefit surpluses
Other financial assets
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables including amounts due from customers for contract work
Current tax
Other financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets held for sale

Total assets
Non-current liabilities
Loans
Other payables
Retirement benefit obligations
Other financial liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions

Current liabilities
Loans and overdrafts
Trade and other payables
Other financial liabilities
Current tax
Provisions
Liabilities held for sale

Total liabilities
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Issued share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings – deficit
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

Approved by the Board on 22 February 2017 and signed on its behalf by:

I G King 
Chief Executive 

P J Lynas 
Group Finance Director

Notes

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

8
9
10
11

12
20
13
14

15
12

13
16

17

18
19
20
13
14
21

18
19
13

21

22

22

11,264
2,098
110
299
6
351
223
345
1,251
15,947

744
3,305
5
204
2,769
2
7,029
22,976

(4,425)
(1,027)
(6,277)
(102)
(10)
(372)
(12,213)

–
(6,540)
(212)
(311)
(234)
(2)
(7,299)
(19,512)
3,464

87
1,249
6,685
(4,583)
3,438
26
3,464

10,117
1,698
120
250
6
275
193
107
985
13,751

726
2,940
4
105
2,537
20
6,332
20,083

(3,775)
(1,020)
(4,694)
(72)
(13)
(354)
(9,928)

(237)
(6,162)
(130)
(315)
(301)
(8)
(7,153)
(17,081)
3,002

87
1,249
5,277
(3,624)
2,989
13
3,002

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016Consolidated cash flow statement 
for the year ended 31 December

Profit for the year
Taxation expense 
Research and development expenditure credits
Share of results of equity accounted investments 
Net finance costs 
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Profit on disposal of investment property
Profit on disposal of non-current other investments
Loss on disposal of businesses 
Cost of equity-settled employee share schemes
Movements in provisions
Decrease in liabilities for retirement benefit obligations
Decrease/(increase) in working capital:

Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables

Taxation paid
Net cash flow from operating activities
Dividends received from equity accounted investments 
Net interest paid
Purchase of property, plant and equipment, and investment property
Purchase of intangible assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, and investment property
Proceeds from sale of non-current other investments
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings 
Equity accounted investment funding
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary undertakings 
Cash and cash equivalents disposed of with subsidiary undertakings
Net cash flow from investing activities
Net sale of own shares 
Equity dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Cash inflow from matured derivative financial instruments
Cash inflow from movement in cash collateral
Cash inflow from loans
Cash outflow from repayment of loans
Net cash flow from financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December
Comprising:

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash classified as held for sale

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

1.  Re-presented to reclassify interest paid from operating to investing activities.

127

20151
£m
943
147
(65)
(110)
412
460
(28)
(41)
(1)
24
44
(139)
(234)

(6)
60
(542)
(116)
808
41
(173)
(359)
(54)
136
1
(5)
(8)
34
(13)
(400)
1
(655)
(40)
12
3
1,625
(1,135)
(189)
219
2,313
5
2,537

2,537
–
2,537

2016 
£m
938
213
(22)
(90)
591
345
(5)
(12)
–
–
55
(122)
(214)

95
(93)
(263)
(187)
1,229
38
(200)
(408)
(82)
45
–
–
(5)
6
–
(606)
3
(670)
(24)
480
32
–
(286)
(465)
158
2,537
76
2,771

2,769
2
2,771

Notes

6
4
1
5
2
2,4
2,4

2

11

11

22

16

16

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016128

Notes to the Group accounts

1. Segmental analysis

Revenue and profit recognition
Revenue represents income derived from the provision of goods and services by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings.

Long-term contracts
The majority of the Group’s long-term contract arrangements are accounted for under IAS 11, Construction Contracts. Revenue is recognised 
when the Group has obtained the right to consideration in exchange for its performance, which is when a separately identifiable phase 
(milestone) of a contract or development has been completed.

Profit is calculated by reference to reliable estimates of contract revenue and forecast costs after making suitable allowances for technical 
and other risks related to performance milestones yet to be achieved. No profit is recognised until the outcome of a contract can be reliably 
estimated. Profit is recognised progressively as risks have been mitigated or retired. 

When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised immediately as an expense.

Goods sold and services rendered
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns, rebates and other similar allowances. 

Revenue from the sale of goods not under long-term contract is recognised in the income statement when the significant risks and rewards 
of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, there is no continuing management involvement 
with the goods, and the amount of revenue and costs can be measured reliably. Profit is recognised at the time of sale.

Revenue from the provision of services not under long-term contract is recognised in the income statement in proportion to the stage of 
completion of the contract at the reporting date. The stage of completion is measured on the basis of direct expenses incurred as a percentage 
of total expenses to be incurred for material contracts and labour hours delivered as a percentage of total labour hours to be delivered for 
time contracts.

Revenue from the sale of software licences is recognised on delivery to the customer when the Group has no remaining obligations to 
perform and collection of the consideration is considered probable. In circumstances where the Group has future obligations to perform 
as part of a software licence and related services contract, revenue is recognised over the contract term.

Revenue and profits on intercompany trading are determined on an arm’s-length basis.

Research and development
The Group undertakes research and development activities either on its own behalf or on behalf of customers. 

Where the research and development activity is performed on behalf of customers, the revenue arising is recognised in the income statement 
in accordance with the Group’s revenue recognition policy on long-term contracts.

Reporting segments
The Group has six reporting segments, which align with the Group’s strategic direction, determined with reference to the products and services 
they provide, and the markets in which they operate: 

–  Electronic Systems comprises the US and UK-based electronics activities, including electronic warfare systems, electro-optical sensors, military 

and commercial digital engine and flight controls, next-generation military communications systems and data links, persistent surveillance 
capabilities, and hybrid electric drive systems; 

–  Cyber & Intelligence comprises the US-based Intelligence & Security business and UK-headquartered Applied Intelligence business, and covers 

the Group’s cyber security, secure government, and commercial and financial security activities;

–  Platforms & Services (US) has operations in the US, UK and Sweden. It produces combat vehicles, weapons and munitions, and delivers 

services and sustainment activities, including ship repair and the management of government-owned munitions facilities;

– Platforms & Services (UK) comprises the Group’s UK-based air, maritime, land and shared services activities;

–  Platforms & Services (International) comprises the Group’s businesses in Saudi Arabia, Australia and Oman, together with its 37.5% interest 

in the pan-European MBDA joint venture; and

– HQ comprises the Group’s head office activities, together with a 49% interest in Air Astana. 

The Board (the chief operating decision maker as defined by IFRS 8, Operating Segments) monitors the results of these reporting segments 
to assess performance and make decisions about the allocation of resources. Segmental performance is evaluated based on Key Performance 
Indicators – sales (see page 129) and underlying EBITA (see page 130). Finance costs and taxation expense are managed on a Group basis. 

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016129

1. Segmental analysis continued

Key Performance Indicator – Sales
Definition Revenue including the Group’s share of revenue of equity accounted investments.

Purpose Allows management to monitor the sales performance of subsidiaries and equity accounted investments.

Sales and revenue by reporting segment

Sales

Deduct  
Share of sales by equity 
accounted investments

Add  
Sales to equity  
accounted investments

Revenue

Electronic Systems
Cyber & Intelligence
Platforms & Services (US)
Platforms & Services (UK)
Platforms & Services (International)
HQ 

Intra-group sales/revenue

Electronic Systems
Cyber & Intelligence
Platforms & Services (US)
Platforms & Services (UK)
Platforms & Services (International) 

2016
£m
3,282
1,778
2,874
7,806
3,943
233
19,916
(896)
19,020

20151
£m
2,922
1,564
2,779
7,405
3,742
237
18,649
(745)
17,904

2016
£m
(79)
–
(91)
(1,118)
(906)
(233)
(2,427)
–
(2,427)

2015
£m
(72)
– 
(101)
(1,524)
(785)
(237)
(2,719)
–
(2,719)

2016
£m
79
–
–
1,011
–
–
1,090
107
1,197

2015
£m
72
–
–
1,438
–
–
1,510
92
1,602

2016
£m
3,282
1,778
2,783
7,699
3,037
–
18,579
(789)
17,790

20151
£m
2,922
1,564
2,678
7,319
2,957
–
17,440
(653)
16,787

Intra-group revenue

Revenue from 
external customers

2016
£m
92
58
43
592
4
789

2015
£m
91
55
22
480
5
653

2016
£m
3,190
1,720
2,740
7,107
3,033
17,790

20151
£m
2,831
1,509
2,656
6,839
2,952
16,787

1.  Re-presented for the transfer of the GEOINT-ISR (Geospatial Intelligence – Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) business from Cyber & Intelligence to 

Electronic Systems.

Sales and revenue by customer location

UK
Rest of Europe1
US
Canada
Saudi Arabia
Rest of Middle East
Australia
Rest of Asia and Pacific
Africa, and Central and South America

Sales

Revenue

2016
£m
4,033
2,174
6,920
92
4,043
720
535
369
134
19,020

2015
£m
4,006
2,506
6,380
74
3,839
102
559
347
91
17,904

2016
£m
3,869
1,645
6,920
92
3,808
693
534
167
62
17,790

2015
£m
3,812
1,971
6,377
74
3,653
63
558
234
45
16,787

1. 

Includes £1.0bn (2015 £1.4bn) generated under the Typhoon workshare agreement with Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016130

1. Segmental analysis continued

Revenue by category

Long-term contracts
Sale of goods
Provision of services
Royalty income

1.  Restated.

Revenue by major customer
Revenue from the Group’s three principal customers, which individually represent over 10% of total revenue, is as follows:

UK Ministry of Defence1
US Department of Defense
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defence and Aviation

2016
£m
11,659
3,223
2,903
5
17,790

20151
£m
11,139
2,974
2,669
5
16,787

2016
£m
4,402
4,319
3,726

2015
£m
4,838
3,838
3,582

1. 

Includes £1.0bn (2015 £1.4bn) generated under the Typhoon workshare agreement with Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH.

Revenue from the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense was generated by the five principal reporting segments. Revenue 
from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defence and Aviation was generated by the Platforms & Services (UK) and Platforms & Services 
(International) reporting segments.

Key Performance Indicator – Underlying EBITA
Definition Profit for the year before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance costs and taxation expense (EBITA) excluding 
non-recurring items.

Non-recurring items are defined as items that are relevant to an understanding of the Group’s performance with reference to their materiality 
and nature:
– Loss on business transactions: Non-recurring items in 2016 represents an impairment of £12m against the carrying value of the 

BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair business sold in January 2017. A loss on the disposal of the Group’s 75% holding in BAE Systems 
Land Systems South Africa (Pty) Limited of £24m was included in non-recurring items in 2015.

– Research and development expenditure credits relating to prior years: In 2013, UK legislation changed so that UK government 
credits for research and development spend are now accounted for as part of operating profit rather than as part of taxation expense. 
This treatment was optional for the first three years. During 2015, the Group exercised that option, effective from 2013, and reflected 
the change in the 2015 accounts. Credits relating to 2013 and 2014, totalling £50m, were included in non-recurring items in 2015.

Purpose Provides a measure of operating profitability that is comparable over time.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016131

1. Segmental analysis continued

Operating profit/(loss) by reporting segment

Underlying EBITA

Non-recurring items

2016
£m
494
90
211
810
400
(100)
1,905

20151
£m
437
104
177
721
335
(91)
1,683

2016
£m
–
–
(12)
–
–
–
(12)

2015
£m
–
–
(24)
50
–
–
26

Electronic Systems
Cyber & Intelligence
Platforms & Services (US)
Platforms & Services (UK)
Platforms & Services (International)
HQ

Net finance costs
Profit before taxation
Taxation expense 
Profit for the year 

Amortisation 
and impairment 
of intangible assets

Financial and 
taxation (expense)/
income of equity 
accounted investments

Operating  
profit/(loss)

2016
£m
(20)
(31)
(15)
(15)
(6)
–
(87)

2015
£m
(18)
(135)
(13)
(11)
(9)
–
(186)

2016
£m
–
–
(2)
(15)
(29)
(18)
(64)

2015
£m
–
–
2
(4)
(27) 
8
(21)

2016
£m
474
59
182
780
365
(118)
1,742
(591)
1,151
(213)
938

20151
£m
419
(31)
142
756 
299
(83)
1,502
(412)
1,090
(147)
943

1.  Re-presented for the transfer of the GEOINT-ISR (Geospatial Intelligence – Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) business from Cyber & Intelligence to 

Electronic Systems.

Share of results of equity accounted investments within reporting segments

Electronic Systems
Platforms & Services (US)
Platforms & Services (UK)
Platforms & Services (International)
HQ

Underlying EBITA

Amortisation 
of intangible assets

Financial  
(expense)/income

Taxation  
(expense)/income

2016
£m
5
12
15
107
19
158

2015
£m
7
12
15
96
5
135

2016
£m
–
–
–
(4)
–
(4)

2015
£m
–
–
–
(4)
–
(4)

2016
£m
– 
(2)
(5)
(6)
(15)
(28)

2015
£m
–
(1)
(2)
(5)
11
3

2016
£m
– 
– 
(10)
(23)
(3)
(36)

2015
£m
– 
3 
(2)
(22)
(3)
(24)

Share of results 
of equity accounted 
investments

2016
£m
5
10
–
74
1
90

2015
£m
7
14
11
65
13
110

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016132

2. Operating costs

Leases
Lease payments made under operating leases, including any incentives granted, are recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis 
over the lease term.

Research and development
The Group undertakes research and development activities either on its own behalf or on behalf of customers. 
Group-funded expenditure on research, and on development activities not meeting the conditions for capitalisation, is written off as incurred 
and charged to the income statement.
Customer-funded expenditure on research and development activities is held in long-term contract balances as a contract cost within trade and 
other receivables and recognised in the income statement in accordance with the Group’s revenue recognition policy on long-term contracts.

Raw materials, subcontracts and other bought-in items
Change in inventories of finished goods and work-in-progress
Cost of inventories expensed
Staff costs (note 3)
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, and investment property
Loss on disposal of businesses
Other operating charges
Operating costs

Included within the analysis of operating costs are the following expenses:

Lease and sublease expense 
Research and development expense including amounts funded under contract 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates included in operating costs

2016
£m
5,742
1,415
7,157
5,440
345
2
–
3,330
16,274

2015
£m
6,030
1,027
7,057
5,052
460
4
24
3,025
15,622

284
1,416

257
1,263

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the 

Company’s annual accounts*

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates 

for other services pursuant to legislation:
The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries*
Interim review*
Other 

Audit-related assurance services:

Advice on accounting matters

Tax compliance services 
Tax advisory services 
Other assurance services:

Non-statutory financial statements audit

Other non-audit services:

Investor relations
Other

Total fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates
*Total fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for audit 

services and interim review

Fees in respect of BAE Systems pension schemes:

Audit
Tax compliance
Tax advisory

2016
Overseas
£’000

UK
£’000

Total
£’000

UK
£’000

2015
Overseas
£’000

Total
£’000

1,776

–

1,776

1,759

–

1,759

2,663
497
112

4,1431
–
3

6,806
497
115

–
17
9

–

–
576
122

7

200
83
5,357

–
31
4,882

–
–
23
23

278
2
–
280

–
593
131

7

200
114
10,239

9,079

278
2
23
303

2,612
490
164

–
22
30

3,659
–
19

6
457
125

6,271
490
183

6
479
155

–

1,8062

1,8062

220
184
5,481

–
47
6,119

140
–
19
159

241
4
–
245

220
231
11,600

8,520

381
4
19
404

1.  After excluding the impact of foreign exchange translation, the fees for the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries have increased by 2%.
2.  Previously categorised as M&A services.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016133

3. Employees

The weekly average and year-end numbers of employees, excluding those in equity accounted investments, were as follows:

Electronic Systems
Cyber & Intelligence
Platforms & Services (US)
Platforms & Services (UK)
Platforms & Services (International)
HQ

Weekly average

At year end

2016
Number
’000
14
12
11
29
9
1
76

20151
Number
’000
13
12
11
29
10
1
76

2016
Number
’000
14
12
11
29
9
1
76

20151
Number
’000
14
11
11
29
9
1
75

1.  Re-presented for the transfer of the GEOINT-ISR (Geospatial Intelligence – Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) business from Cyber & Intelligence to 

Electronic Systems.

The aggregate staff costs of Group employees, excluding employees of equity accounted investments, were as follows:

Wages and salaries2
Social security costs
Share-based payments (note 27)
Pension costs – defined contribution plans (note 20)
Pension costs – defined benefit plans (note 20)
US healthcare costs (note 20)

2016
£m
4,672
365
55
163
183
2
5,440

20151
£m
4,339
333
44
140
194
2
5,052

1.  Re-presented to include the charge in respect of the equity-settled all-employee Free Shares and Matching Partnership Shares elements of the Share Incentive Plan 

in share-based payments rather than wages and salaries.

2.  After excluding the impact of exchange translation, wages and salaries increased by 2% per employee on 2015.

4. Other income

Leases
Lease income under operating leases is recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Research and development expenditure credits1
Rental income from operating leases – investment property
Rental income from operating leases – other
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Profit on disposal of investment property
Profit on disposal of non-current other investments
Management recharges to equity accounted investments (note 28)
Royalties
Other 2
Other income

2016
£m
22
24
18
7
12
–
16
8
29
136

2015
£m
65
23
19
28
45
1
17
3
26
227

1. 

In 2013, UK legislation changed so that UK government credits for research and development spend are now accounted for as part of operating profit rather than as part 
of taxation expense. This treatment was optional for the first three years. During 2015, the Group exercised that option, effective from 2013, and reflected the change in 
the 2015 accounts. Credits relating to 2013 and 2014, totalling £50m, were included in 2015.

2.  There are no individual amounts in excess of £10m. 

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016134

5. Net finance costs

Interest income and borrowing costs
Interest income and borrowing costs are recognised in the income statement in the period in which they are incurred.

Interest income
Gain on remeasurement of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss1,2
Foreign exchange gains
Financial income
Interest expense on bonds and other financial instruments
Facility fees
Net present value adjustments
Net interest expense on retirement benefit obligations (note 20)
Loss on remeasurement of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss1
Foreign exchange losses3
Financial expense
Net finance costs

2016
£m
10
665
38
713
(208)
(4)
(43)
(169)
(55)
(825)
(1,304)
(591)

2015
£m
17
167
57
241
(175)
(4)
(29)
(192)
(72)
(181)
(653)
(412)

1.  Comprises gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, including derivative instruments to manage the Group’s exposure to interest rate fluctuations on external 

borrowings and exchange rate fluctuations on balances with the Group’s subsidiaries and equity accounted investments.

2.  The increase in the gain on remeasurement of financial instruments primarily reflects exchange rate movements on hedges relating to US dollar-denominated borrowings 

(2016 £446m; 2015 £98m). Loss on remeasurement of financial instruments includes £23m (2015 £nil) in respect of these exchange rate movements.
3.  The increase in foreign exchange losses primarily reflects exchange rate movements on US dollar-denominated borrowings (2016 £592m; 2015 £144m).

Additional analysis

Net finance costs:

Group
Share of equity accounted investments 

Analysed as:

Underlying net interest expense:

Group
Share of equity accounted investments 

Other:

Group:

Net interest expense on retirement benefit obligations 
Fair value and foreign exchange adjustments on financial instruments and investments1 

Share of equity accounted investments: 

Net interest expense on retirement benefit obligations
Fair value and foreign exchange adjustments on financial instruments and investments

1.  The net cost primarily reflects foreign exchange translational losses on US dollar-denominated bonds held by BAE Systems plc.

2016
£m

(591)
(28)
(619)

(245)
(12)
(257)

(169)
(177)

(8)
(8)
(619)

2015
£m

(412)
3
(409)

(191)
(3)
(194)

(192)
(29)

(8)
14
(409)

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016135

6. Taxation expense

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Current and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss except to the extent that it 
relates to a business combination or items recognised directly in equity or other comprehensive income.

Current tax
Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable profit or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted 
at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting 
purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not recognised for temporary differences:
–  on the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor 

taxable profit or loss;

–  related to investments in subsidiaries and equity accounted investments to the extent that it is probable that they will not reverse in the 

foreseeable future; and

–  arising on the initial recognition of goodwill.

Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws 
that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Taxation expense

Current taxation 
UK: 

Current tax
Adjustments in respect of prior years1

Overseas: 

Current year
Adjustments in respect of prior years2

Deferred taxation 
UK:

Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Tax rate adjustment

Overseas:

Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Tax rate adjustment

Taxation expense

UK 
Overseas 
Taxation expense

1.  2015 included a £52m credit in respect of the adjustment of certain UK tax provisions in the light of clarification received. 
2.  2015 included an £82m credit in respect of the adjustment of certain overseas tax provisions in the light of rulings received. 

2016
£m

2015
£m

(74)
29
(45)

(164)
(5)
(169)
(214)

14
4
–
18

(28)
13
(2)
(17)
1
(213)

(27)
(186)
(213)

(109)
17
(92)

(105)
99
(6)
(98)

8
8
(5)
11

(51)
(9)
–
(60)
(49)
(147)

(81)
(66)
(147)

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016136

6. Taxation expense continued

Reconciliation of taxation expense 
The following table reconciles the theoretical income tax expense, using the UK corporation tax rate, to the reported tax expense. The reconciling 
items represent, besides the impact of tax rate differentials and changes, non-taxable benefits or non-deductible expenses arising from differences 
between the local tax base and the reported financial statements.

Profit before taxation

UK corporation tax rate
Expected income tax expense
Effect of tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, including US state taxes
Effect of intra-group financing
Expenses not tax effected
Income not subject to tax
Research and development tax credits and patent box benefits 
Non-deductible goodwill impairment 
Chargeable gains and non-taxable gains/non-deductible losses on disposal of businesses
Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses
Adjustments in respect of prior years1
Adjustments in respect of equity accounted investments
Tax rate adjustment
Other
Taxation expense

Calculation of the underlying effective tax rate

Profit before taxation
Add back:

Taxation expense of equity accounted investments (note 1)
Loss on disposal of businesses (note 1)
Goodwill impairment (note 8)
Adjusted profit before taxation

Taxation expense
Taxation expense of equity accounted investments (note 1)
Taxation expense (including equity accounted investments)

Adjusted profit before taxation (above)
Exclude: Research and development expenditure credits2

Taxation expense (including equity accounted investments) (above)
Exclude: Adjustments relating to research and development expenditure credits2
Exclude: Adjustment of tax provisions1

2016 
£m
1,151

2015 
£m
1,090

20.0% 20.25%
(221)
(69)
13
(13)
41
7
(15)
(7)
4
115
22
(5)
(19)
(147)

(230)
(81)
15
(15)
37
12
–
(3)
3
41
18
(2)
(8)
(213)

2016 
£m
1,151

2015 
£m
1,090

36
–
–
1,187

(213)
(36)
(249)

24
24
75
1,213

(147)
(24)
(171)

1,213
(77)
1,136

(171)
68
(134)
(237)

Underlying effective tax rate

21%

21%

1.  2016 comprises a number of separate items, individually less than £20m, in relation to which either resolution was reached in the year or new information enabled the 

Group to re-assess the related tax provisions. 2015 included credits totalling £134m in respect of the adjustment of certain UK and overseas tax provisions in the light 
of clarification and rulings received.

2.  In 2013, UK legislation changed so that UK government credits for research and development spend are now accounted for as part of operating profit rather than as part 
of taxation expense. This treatment was optional for the first three years. During 2015, the Group exercised that option, effective from 2013, and reflected the change in 
the 2015 accounts. The adjustment reversed this treatment to show an underlying effective tax rate that was comparable with the prior year. The £77m excluded from profit 
before taxation comprised £50m included in non-recurring items relating to 2013 and 2014 (see note 1) and £27m included in underlying EBITA relating to 2015, of which 
£12m related to the Group’s share of equity accounted investments. The £68m adjustment included £45m relating to the £50m included in non-recurring items.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016137

6. Taxation expense continued

Tax recognised in other comprehensive income 

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement:

Subsidiaries:

Remeasurements on retirement benefit schemes
Tax rate adjustment
Other

Equity accounted investments

Items that may be reclassified to the income statement:

Subsidiaries:

Currency translation on foreign currency net investments
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation reserve  

on disposal

Fair value loss on available-for-sale financial assets
Amounts credited/(charged) to hedging reserve

Equity accounted investments

Current tax
Subsidiaries:

Remeasurements on retirement benefit schemes
Other

Deferred tax
Subsidiaries:

Remeasurements on retirement benefit schemes
Tax rate adjustment
Amounts charged to hedging reserve
Other

Equity accounted investments

Tax on other comprehensive income

1.  Re-presented in accordance with Amendments to IAS 1: Disclosure Initiative.

2016

Tax 
benefit/ 
(expense) 
£m

Net of tax 
£m

20151

Tax  
(expense)/ 
benefit 
£m

Before 
 tax 
£m

Net of tax 
£m

246
14
–
13

(1,222)
14
–
(53)

864
–
–
21

(173)
(74)
(11)
(3)

691
(74)
(11)
18

Before 
 tax 
£m

(1,468)
–
–
(66)

1,287

–

1,287

260

–

260

–
–
96
43
(108)

–
–
(17)
2
258

–
–
79
45
150

20
(1)
11
(81)
1,094

Other 
reserves 
£m

2016

Retained 
earnings 
£m

Total 
£m

Other 
reserves 
£m

–
–
–

–
–
(17)
–
2
(15)
(15)

27
–
27

219
14
–
–
13
246
273

27
–
27

219
14
(17)
–
15
231
258

–
–
–

–
–
(2)
–
7
5
5

–
–
(2)
7
(256)

20151

Retained 
earnings 
£m

42
(8)
34

(213)
(74)
–
(5)
(3)
(295)
(261)

20
(1)
9
(74)
838

Total 
£m

42
(8)
34

(213)
(74)
(2)
(5)
4
(290)
(256)

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016138

7. Earnings per share 

Key Performance Indicator – Underlying earnings per share
Definition Basic earnings per share excluding amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, non-cash finance movements on pensions 
and financial derivatives, and non-recurring items.

Purpose Provides a measure of underlying performance that is comparable over time.

Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders
Add back:

Non-recurring items, post tax1
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, post tax1
Impairment of goodwill
Net interest expense on retirement benefit obligations, post tax1
Fair value and foreign exchange adjustments on financial instruments 

and investments, post tax1
Underlying earnings, post tax

Weighted average number of shares used in calculating basic 

earnings per share

Incremental shares in respect of employee share schemes
Weighted average number of shares used in calculating diluted 

earnings per share

1.  The tax impact is calculated using the underlying effective tax rate of 21% (2015 21%).

2016

Basic  
pence 
per share
28.8

Diluted 
pence 
per share
28.7

40.3

40.1

£m
913

9
69
–
140

146
1,277

2015

Basic  
pence 
per share
29.0

Diluted 
pence 
per share
28.9

40.2

40.1

£m 
918

19
88
75
158

12
1,270

Millions

Millions

Millions

Millions

3,171

3,171
14

3,185

3,161

3,161
10

3,171

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016139

8. Intangible assets

Intangible assets are carried at cost or valuation, less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.

Cost or valuation
Goodwill
Under the acquisition method for business combinations, goodwill is the acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred, less the 
net of the acquisition-date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is 
included in intangible assets. Goodwill on acquisitions of joint ventures and associates is included in the carrying value of equity accounted 
investments. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Programme and customer-related
Intangible assets recognised by the Group include those relating to ongoing programmes within businesses acquired, mainly in respect 
of customer relationships and order backlog.

Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets include:

–  Computer software licences acquired for use within the Group are capitalised as an intangible asset on the basis of the costs incurred 

to acquire and bring to use the specific software;

–  Software development costs that are directly associated with the production of identifiable and unique software products controlled 
by the Group, and that will probably generate economic benefits exceeding costs beyond one year, are recognised as intangible assets. 
Group-funded expenditure associated with enhancing or maintaining computer software programs for sale is recognised as an expense 
as incurred;

–  Research and development expenditure funded by the Group on development activities applied to a plan or design for the production of 
new or substantially improved products is capitalised as an internally generated intangible asset if certain conditions are met. The expenditure 
capitalised includes the cost of materials, direct labour and related overheads; and 

– Patents, trademarks and licences.

Amortisation
Goodwill is not amortised. Amortisation on intangible assets, excluding goodwill, is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis 
over their estimated useful lives. 

For programme-related intangibles, amortisation is set on a programme-by-programme basis over the life of the individual programme. 
Amortisation for customer-related intangibles is also set on an individual basis.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Programme and customer-related
Other intangible assets:

Computer software licences acquired
Software development costs
Research and development expenditure 
Patents, trademarks and licences 
Other intangibles

up to 15 years

2 to 5 years
2 to 5 years
up to 10 years
up to 20 years
up to 10 years

The Group has no indefinite-life intangible assets other than goodwill.

Impairment of intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, investment property and equity accounted investments
The carrying amounts of the Group’s intangible assets (excluding goodwill), property, plant and equipment, investment property and equity 
accounted investments are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment as required by 
IAS 36, Impairment of Assets. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. For goodwill and intangible assets 
that are not yet available for use, impairment testing is performed annually.

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its Cash-Generating Unit exceeds its recoverable amount. 

The recoverable amount is the greater of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows 
are discounted to their present value using an appropriate pre-tax discount rate. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash 
flows, the recoverable amount is determined for the Cash-Generating Unit to which the asset belongs. 

Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. An impairment loss in respect of other intangible assets, property, plant and 
equipment, investment property and equity accounted investments is reversed if the subsequent increase in recoverable amount can be related 
objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised or if there has been a change in the estimate used to determine the 
recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount 
that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016140

8. Intangible assets continued

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2015 
Additions:

Acquired separately
Internally developed

Disposals1 
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
Foreign exchange adjustments 
At 31 December 2015
Additions:

Acquired separately
Internally developed

Disposals1 
Reclassification from held for sale
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
Foreign exchange adjustments 
At 31 December 2016
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2015
Amortisation charge
Impairment charge
Disposals1
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2015
Amortisation charge
Disposals1
Reclassification from held for sale
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2016
Net book value
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2015
At 1 January 2015

Programme  
and customer-
related 
£m

Goodwill 
£m

Other 
£m

Total 
£m

13,708

739

533

14,980

–
–
–
–
333
14,041

–
–
–
–
–
1,362
15,403

4,044
–
75
–
82
4,201
–
–
–
300
4,501

10,902
9,840
9,664

–
–
(147)
–
12
604

–
–
(122)
–
–
62
544

609
61
3
(147)
8
534
32
(122)
–
52
496

48
70
130

42
12
(33)
5
8
567

81
1
(23)
3
57
72
758

344
43
–
(33)
6
360
51
(23)
3
53
444

314
207
189

42
12
(180)
5
353
15,212

81
1
(145)
3
57
1,496
16,705

4,997
104
78
(180)
96
5,095
83
(145)
3
405
5,441

11,264
10,117
9,983

1. 

Includes intangible assets with nil net book value no longer used by the Group. 

Impairment testing
The recoverable amount of the Group’s goodwill is based on value in use estimated using risk-adjusted future cash flow projections from the 
five-year Integrated Business Plan (IBP) and a terminal value based on the projections for the final year of that plan, with growth rate assumptions 
in the range 0% to 2% applied. The IBP process includes the use of historical experience, available government spending data and the Group’s 
order backlog. Pre-tax discount rates, derived from the Group’s post-tax weighted average cost of capital of 7.01% (2015 7.47%) (adjusted for 
risks specific to the market in which the Cash-Generating Unit (CGU) operates), have been used in discounting these projected risk-adjusted 
cash flows.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016141

8. Intangible assets continued 

Significant CGUs
Goodwill allocated to CGUs, which are largely dependent on US government spending on defence, aerospace and security, represents £8.4bn 
(2015 £7.4bn) of the Group’s total goodwill balance. The Group monitors changes in defence budgets on an ongoing basis. 

Cash-Generating Unit
Electronic Systems

Intelligence & Security  

(within Cyber & Intelligence)

Platforms & Services (US)

Key assumptions
Continued demand from the US government for 
electronic warfare systems (where the business has 
a leadership position), other technology-based solutions 
and growth in the commercial avionics market
Continued demand in the US for the Group’s services 
in the areas of homeland security, law enforcement 
and counter-intelligence
Continued demand in the Group’s principal markets for 
existing and successor military tracked vehicles, naval guns, 
missile launchers, artillery systems, munitions, upgrade 
programmes and support, and in the US for complex 
infrastructure, maritime and aviation services

Allocated goodwill

Pre-tax discount rate

2016 
£bn
4.0

20151
£bn
3.7

2016 
%
9

2015
%
10

0.7

0.6

3.7

3.1

9

9

10

10

1.  Re-presented for the transfer of the GEOINT-ISR (Geospatial Intelligence – Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) business from Cyber & Intelligence to 

Electronic Systems.

The headroom, calculated as the difference between net assets including allocated goodwill as at 31 December 2016 and the value-in-use 
calculations, for the CGUs listed above, is shown below. The table also shows the headroom assuming a 1% reduction in the terminal value 
growth rate assumption and a 1% increase in the discount rate used in the value-in-use calculations.

Cash-Generating Unit
Electronic Systems
Intelligence & Security
Platforms & Services (US)

Headroom as at 
31 December

2016 
£bn
3.5
0.3
1.6

2015
£bn
1.7
–
0.4

Headroom assuming  
a 1% reduction in the 
terminal value growth  
rate assumption

Headroom assuming  
a 1% increase in the  
discount rate

2016 
£bn
2.2
0.2
0.7

2015
£bn 
1.0
(0.1)
(0.1)

2016 
£bn
2.0
0.1
0.5

2015
£bn
0.8
(0.1)
(0.3)

Other CGUs
The remaining goodwill balance of £2.5bn (2015 £2.4bn) is allocated across multiple CGUs, including £0.6bn (2015 £0.6bn) in the Applied 
Intelligence CGU, with no individual CGU exceeding 10% of the Group’s total goodwill balance. The majority of the projected cash flows within 
these CGUs are underpinned by expected levels of primarily UK government spending on defence, aerospace and security, and the Group’s ability 
to capture a broadly consistent market share. In the case of Applied Intelligence, the future cash flow projections are based on the expectation of 
growth in cyber and intelligence, in the UK and overseas government markets, together with increasing demand for products and services in 
commercial markets.

Impairment – goodwill
In 2015, the impairment charge of £75m in the Intelligence & Security CGU reflected lower business growth assumptions.

Impairment – intangible assets
In 2015, the impairment charge of £3m related to the Cyber & Intelligence reporting segment.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016142

9. Property, plant and equipment

Cost
Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. The cost of self-constructed 
assets includes the cost of materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of production overheads. The cost of demonstration assets 
is written off as incurred. The reimbursement of the cost of an item of property, plant and equipment by a customer is presented as deferred 
income and recognised in the income statement on a basis consistent with the depreciation of the asset over its estimated useful life. 

Assets held for leasing out under operating leases are included in property, plant and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and 
impairment losses.

Depreciation
Depreciation is provided, normally on a straight-line basis, to write off the cost of items of property, plant and equipment over their estimated 
useful lives to any estimated residual value, using the following rates:

Buildings
Plant and machinery:

Computing equipment and motor vehicles 
Other equipment 

up to 50 years, or the lease term if shorter

4 to 5 years
10 to 20 years, or the project life if shorter

For certain items of plant and equipment in the Group’s US businesses, depreciation is normally provided on a basis consistent with cost 
reimbursement profiles under US government contracts. Typically, this provides for a faster rate of depreciation than would otherwise arise 
on a straight-line basis.

No depreciation is provided on freehold land and assets in the course of construction.

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date. 

Impairment
The carrying amounts of the Group’s property, plant and equipment are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there 
is any indication of impairment in accordance with the policy shown in note 8. 

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 20169. Property, plant and equipment continued

Cost
At 1 January 2015
Additions1
Transfer to other intangible assets
Reclassification between categories
Disposals
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2015
Additions1
Reclassification as held for sale
Transfer to investment properties
Transfer to other intangible assets
Reclassification between categories
Disposals
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2016
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2015
Depreciation charge for the year
Impairment charge for the year
Reclassification between categories
Disposals
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2015
Depreciation charge for the year
Impairment charge for the year
Reclassification as held for sale
Transfer to investment properties
Disposals
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2016
Net book value 
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2015
At 1 January 2015

Net book value

Freehold property
Long leasehold property
Short leasehold property
Plant and machinery
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
At 31 December 2016

143

Total 
£m

4,475
392
(5)
–
(379)
93
4,576
561
(22)
(9)
(57)
–
(94)
450
5,405

2,886
243
29
–
(341)
61
2,878
251
9
(22)
(9)
(83)
283
3,307

2,098
1,698
1,589

Total 
£m
869
18
141
998
72
2,098

Land and 
buildings 
£m

Plant and 
machinery 
£m

1,722
108
–
17
(113)
36
1,770
235
(20)
(9)
–
28
(22)
194
2,176

963
80
21
2
(80)
19
1,005
73
8
(20)
(9)
(13)
104
1,148

1,028
765
759

2,753
284
(5)
(17)
(266)
57
2,806
326
(2)
–
(57)
(28)
(72)
256
3,229

1,923
163
8
(2)
(261)
42
1,873
178
1
(2)
–
(70)
179
2,159

1,070
933
830

Land and 
buildings 
£m
869
18
141
–
–
1,028

Plant and 
machinery 
£m
–
–
–
998
72
1,070

1. 

Includes £143m (2015 £44m) of land and buildings, and £25m (2015 £5m) of plant and machinery at Barrow-in-Furness, UK, relating to the Dreadnought submarine 
programme funded by the UK government.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016144

9. Property, plant and equipment continued

Impairment

Cyber & Intelligence
Platforms & Services (US)
Platforms & Services (UK)
Platforms & Services (International)

2016 
£m
–
9
–
–
9

2015 
£m
1
2
1
25
29

2016
The impairment in Platforms & Services (US) represents a charge against the carrying value of the BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair 
business sold in January 2017.

2015
The impairment in Platforms & Services (International) included a £24m charge against the carrying value of the Williamstown shipyard in Australia 
due to a reduction in workload.

Assets in the course of construction 

At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2015

Land and
buildings1
£m
246
98

Plant and
machinery2
£m
352
194

Total 
£m
598
292

Includes £161m (2015 £42m) at Barrow-in-Furness, UK, relating to the Dreadnought submarine programme funded by the UK government.

1. 
2.  2016 includes £106m in support of industrialisation in Saudi Arabia and £78m in respect of a new dry dock in San Diego, US, to support the US Navy’s re-balance 

to the Asia-Pacific region.

Operating leases
The future aggregate minimum lease income from the non-cancellable elements of operating leases for assets capitalised (including investment 
property – see note 10) are as follows:

Receipts due:

Not later than one year
Later than one year and not later than five years
Later than five years

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

25
90
72
187

25
93
94
212

Under the terms of the lease agreements, no contingent rents are receivable. The leases have varying terms including escalation clauses and 
renewal rights. None of these terms represent unusual arrangements or create material onerous or beneficial rights or obligations. 

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016145

10. Investment property

Cost
Land and buildings that are leased to non-Group entities are classified as investment property. The Group measures investment property 
at its cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Depreciation
Depreciation is provided, on a straight-line basis, to write off the cost of investment property over its estimated useful life of up to 50 years.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date.

Impairment
The carrying amounts of the Group’s investment property are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any 
indication of impairment in accordance with the policy shown in note 8. 

Cost
At 1 January 2015
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2015
Additions
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
Disposals
At 31 December 2016
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2015
Depreciation charge for the year
Impairment charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2015
Depreciation charge for the year
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
Disposals
At 31 December 2016
Net book value 
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2015
At 1 January 2015

Fair value 
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2015

£m

186
13
(23)
176
9
9
(24)
170

57
4
2
(7)
56
2
9
(7)
60

110
120
129

167
178

The fair values above are based on and reflect current market values as prepared by in-house professionals who have the appropriate professional 
qualifications and recent experience of valuing properties in the location and of the type being valued. 

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016146

11. Equity accounted investments

A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control have rights to the net assets of the arrangement. 

Carrying value
The carrying value of an equity accounted investment comprises the Group’s share of net assets and purchased goodwill, and is assessed for 
impairment as a single asset. The carrying amounts of the Group’s equity accounted investments are reviewed at each balance sheet date to 
determine whether there is any indication of impairment in accordance with the policy shown in note 8.

Principal equity accounted investments

Joint venture
Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug
MBDA

Principal activities
Management and control of the European Typhoon programme
Development and manufacture of guided weapons

Shareholding
33% 
37.5% 

Principally  
operates in
Germany
Europe

The Group’s 49% shareholding in Air Astana was previously classified as a principal equity accounted investment. The Group no longer considers 
Air Astana to be a principal equity accounted investment based on its share of Air Astana’s revenue and profit, and its carrying value.

The following tables summarise the financial information of the Group’s principal equity accounted investments included in their own financial 
statements, as adjusted for fair value adjustments at acquisition and differences in accounting policies, and reconcile this to the Group’s interest 
in those equity accounted investments. 

Revenue (100%)
Underlying EBITA1 excluding depreciation
Depreciation and amortisation 
Financial income 
Financial expense 
Taxation expense 
(Loss)/profit for the year (100%)
Remeasurements on retirement benefit schemes, net of tax
Amounts charged to hedging reserve, net of tax
Foreign exchange adjustments
Total comprehensive income for the year (100%)

2016

Eurofighter 
Jagdflugzeug  
£m
2,986
18
(2)
2
(9)
(26)
(17)
–
–
–
(17)

2015

Eurofighter 
Jagdflugzeug  
£m
4,239
24
–
2
(1)
(7)
18
–
–
–
18

MBDA 
£m
2,416
320
(74)
60
(77)
(56)
173
(139)
(30)
31
35

MBDA 
£m
2,087
282
(60)
59
(70)
(53)
158
47
–
1
206

Group’s share of total comprehensive income for the year

(5)

13

6

77

Non-current assets

Cash and cash equivalents
Current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents

Current assets

Non-current financial liabilities excluding trade and other payables, and provisions
Other non-current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Current financial liabilities excluding trade and other payables, and provisions
Other current liabilities 

Current liabilities
Net assets (100%)

11
26
1,746
1,772
–
(26)
(26)
–
(1,740)
(1,740)
17

1,996
1,613
3,870
5,483
(101)
(937)
(1,038)
(32)
(6,100)
(6,132)
309

9
4
1,048
1,052
–
(19)
(19)
–
(1,011)
(1,011)
31

1,498
1,047
2,921
3,968
(7)
(742)
(749)
–
(4,421)
(4,421)
296

1.  Profit for the year before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance costs and taxation expense (EBITA) excluding non-recurring items.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 201611. Equity accounted investments continued

Group’s share of net assets
Elimination of unrealised profit
Goodwill 
Carrying value

Dividends received 

2016

2015

Eurofighter 
Jagdflugzeug  
£m
5
–
–
5

MBDA 
£m
116
–
5
121

2016

Eurofighter 
Jagdflugzeug  
£m
–

MBDA 
£m
13

Total 
£m
121
–
5
126

Total 
£m
13

Eurofighter 
Jagdflugzeug  
£m
10
–
–
10

MBDA 
£m
111
(4)
4
111

Eurofighter 
Jagdflugzeug  
£m
6

2015

MBDA 
£m
17

Group summary
The Group also has a number of individually immaterial joint ventures, the carrying values of which at 31 December 2016 are as follows: 
Advanced Electronics Company (£47m), FADEC International (£37m), Air Astana (£31m) and Panavia Aircraft (£21m). The following table 
shows a reconciliation of opening to closing carrying value for both the Group’s principal and immaterial joint ventures in aggregate.

At 1 January 2015

Group’s share of profit for the year 
Group’s share of remeasurements on retirement benefit schemes
Tax on items that will not be reclassified to the income statement
Foreign exchange adjustments
Amounts charged to hedging reserve
Tax on items that may be reclassified to the income statement

Group’s share of total comprehensive income for the year
Equity accounted investment funding
Dividends received from equity accounted investments
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2015

Group’s share of profit for the year 
Group’s share of remeasurements on retirement benefit schemes
Tax on items that will not be reclassified to the income statement
Foreign exchange adjustments
Amounts (charged)/credited to hedging reserve 
Tax on items that may be reclassified to the income statement

Group’s share of total comprehensive income for the year
Equity accounted investment funding
Dividends received from equity accounted investments
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2016

Principal equity 
accounted 
investments
£m
65
65
21
(3)
–
–
–
83
–
(23)
(4)
121
59
(66)
13
13
(14)
3
8
–
(13)
10
126

Other
£m
164
45
–
–
(43)
(36)
7
(27)
8
(18)
2
129
31
–
–
20
5
(1)
55
5
(25)
9
173

Contingent liabilities
The Group is not aware of any material contingent liabilities in respect of its equity accounted investments. 

147

Total 
£m
121
(4)
4
121

Total 
£m
23

Total 
£m
229
110
21
(3)
(43)
(36)
7
56
8
(41)
(2)
250
90
(66)
13
33
(9)
2
63
5
(38)
19
299

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016148

12. Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are stated at their cost less provision for bad debts. A provision for bad debt is established when there is objective 
evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Significant financial 
difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default or delinquency in payments 
are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. Receivables with a short-term duration are not discounted.

A loss on provision for bad debt is reversed if the subsequent increase in recoverable amount can be related objectively to an event occurring 
after the impairment loss was recognised.

Amounts due from customers for contract work includes long-term contract balances and amounts due from contract customers, less 
attributable progress payments.

Long-term contract balances are stated at cost less provision for any anticipated losses. Provisions for losses on contracts are recorded when 
it becomes probable that total estimated contract costs will exceed total contract revenues. Such provisions are recorded as write downs of 
long-term contract balances for that portion of the work which has already been completed, and the remainder is included as amounts due 
to long-term contract customers within trade and other payables. Losses are determined on the basis of estimated results on completion of 
contracts and are updated regularly.

Progress payments are amounts received from customers in accordance with the terms of contracts which specify payments in advance of 
delivery and are credited, as progress payments, against any expenditure incurred for the particular contract. Any unexpended balance in 
respect of progress payments is held in trade and other payables as customer stage payments or, if the amounts are subject to advance 
payment guarantees unrelated to Group performance, as cash received on customers’ account.

Amounts due from contract customers represent unbilled income and are stated at cost, plus attributable profit. 

Non-current
Prepayments and accrued income
US deferred compensation plan assets 
Other receivables

Current
Long-term contract balances
Deduct Attributable progress payments
Amounts due from contract customers
Amounts due from customers for contract work
Trade receivables
Amounts owed by equity accounted investments (note 28)
Prepayments and accrued income
Other receivables

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

35
296
20
351

3,128
(2,282)
435
1,281
1,437
69
256
262
3,305

23
234
18
275

4,407
(3,762)
413
1,058
1,284
75
254
269
2,940

The aggregate amount of costs incurred and recognised profits (less recognised losses) to date in respect of contracts in progress at 31 December 
2016 is estimated to be £27.5bn (2015 £26.4bn). 

Trade receivables are disclosed net of a provision for bad debts. Disclosures relating to the ageing of trade receivables and movements in the 
provision for bad debts are provided in note 26.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016149

13. Other financial assets and liabilities

Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
The international nature of the Group’s business means it is exposed to volatility in currency exchange rates. In order to protect itself against 
currency fluctuations, the Group’s policy is to hedge all material firm transactional exposures. 

The Group uses interest rate derivative instruments to manage the Group’s exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its borrowings and 
deposits by varying the proportion of fixed rate debt relative to floating rate debt over the forward time horizon. 

The Group uses foreign exchange derivative instruments to manage the Group’s exposure to currency fluctuations on its borrowings and 
deposits with the Group’s subsidiaries and equity accounted investments.

In accordance with its treasury policy, the Group does not hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

The Group aims to achieve hedge accounting treatment for all derivatives that hedge material foreign currency exposures and those interest 
rate exposures where hedge accounting can be achieved. 

Derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, such instruments are stated at fair value 
at the balance sheet date. The fair values are estimated by discounting expected future cash flows.

Fair value through profit or loss
Gains and losses on derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the income statement for 
the period. 

Cash flow hedges
Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of cash flows relating to a highly probable forecast transaction (income or 
expense), the effective portion of any change in the fair value of the instrument is recognised in other comprehensive income and presented 
in the hedging reserve in equity. Amounts recognised in equity are reclassified from reserves into the cost of the underlying transaction and 
recognised in the income statement when the underlying transaction affects profit or loss. The ineffective portion of any change in the fair 
value of the instrument is recognised in the income statement immediately. 

Fair value hedges
Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability 
attributable to the hedged risk, and gains and losses on the derivative instrument, are recognised in the income statement for the period. 

Non-current
Cash flow hedges – foreign exchange contracts
Other foreign exchange/interest rate contracts
Debt-related derivative financial instruments – assets1

Current
Cash flow hedges – foreign exchange contracts
Other foreign exchange/interest rate contracts

1. 

Includes fair value hedges of £4m (2015 £7m).

2016

2015

Assets 
£m

Liabilities 
£m

Assets 
£m

Liabilities 
£m

138
93
114
345

151
53
204

(102)
–
–
(102)

(184)
(28)
(212)

52
2
53
107

47
58
105

(72)
–
–
(72)

(123)
(7)
(130)

Cash flow hedges
The hedged, highly probable forecast transactions denominated in foreign currency are predominantly expected to occur at various stages 
during the next 12 months. The majority of those extending beyond 12 months are expected to have been transacted within five years of 
the balance sheet date.

Amounts credited to the hedging reserve in respect of cash flow hedges were £87m (2015 £25m charge), including £74m (2015 £54m) 
on reclassification to profit and loss and £13m (2015 £79m charge) on contracts held at 31 December 2016. 

Fair value hedges
The loss arising in the income statement on fair value hedging instruments was £3m (2015 gain £3m). The gain arising in the income statement 
on the fair value of the underlying hedged items was £1m (2015 loss £2m). The ineffective portion recognised as a loss in the income statement 
arising from fair value hedges was £2m (2015 gain £1m). 

Debt-related derivative financial instruments
The debt-related derivative financial instruments represent the fair value of cross-currency and interest rate derivatives relating to the US$500m 
7.5% bond, repayable 2027, and the US$800m 3.8% bond, repayable 2024, respectively (see note 18). These derivatives have been entered into 
specifically to manage the Group’s exposure to foreign exchange or interest rate risk.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016150

14. Deferred tax

A deferred tax asset is recognised for unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that 
future taxable profits will be available against which they can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and reduced 
to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised.

The most significant recognised deferred tax assets relate to the deficits on the Group’s pension/retirement schemes (see below). This is because 
retirement benefit costs are deducted in determining accounting profit as service is provided by employees, but deducted in determining 
taxable profit either when contributions are paid to the pension/retirement schemes or when retirement benefits are paid. In reviewing the 
probability that taxable profits will be available in the future against which such contributions/payments can be deducted, account has been 
taken of the deficit recovery plans agreed with the trustees of the relevant schemes, which run until 2026.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to 
income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different taxable entities, but they intend to settle current tax 
liabilities and assets on a net basis or their tax assets and liabilities will be realised simultaneously.

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Provisions and accruals
Goodwill 
Pension/retirement schemes:

Deficits
Additional contributions and other1

Share-based payments
Financial instruments
Other items
Rolled over capital gains
Capital losses carried forward
Trading losses carried forward
Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)
Set off of tax
Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

1. 

Includes deferred tax assets on US deferred compensation plans. 

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Net balance at  
31 December

2016 
£m
20
18
343
–

1,212
149
23
–
39
–
11
17
1,832
(581)
1,251

2015 
£m
16
13
299
–

908
112
15
16
35
–
12
21
1,447
(462)
985

2016 
£m
(119)
(28)
–
(428)

–
–
–
(5)
–
(11)
–
–
(591)
581
(10)

2015 
£m
(101)
(30)
–
(326)

–
–
–
(6)
–
(12)
–
–
(475)
462
(13)

2016 
£m
(99)
(10)
343
(428)

1,212
149
23
(5)
39
(11)
11
17
1,241
–
1,241

2015 
£m
(85)
(17)
299
(326)

908
112
15
10
35
(12)
12
21
972
–
972

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016151

At 
1 January  
2016 
£m
(85)
(17)
299
(326)

Foreign  
exchange 
adjustments 
£m
(16)
–
54
(67)

Recognised 
in income 
£m
2
7
(10)
(35)

Recognised 
in equity 
£m
–
–
–
–

At 
31 December 
 2016 
£m
(99)
(10)
343
(428)

908
112
15
10
35
(12)
12
21
972

45
24
–
1
6
–
–
1
48

26
13
4
1
(2)
1
(1)
(5)
1

233
–
4
(17)
–
–
–
–
220

1,212
149
23
(5)
39
(11)
11
17
1,241

At 
1 January  
2015 
£m
(78)
(35)
287
(273)

Foreign  
exchange 
adjustments 
£m
(6)
(1)
13
(17)

Recognised 
in income 
£m
(1)
19
(1)
(36)

Recognised 
in equity 
£m
–
–
–
–

At 
31 December 
 2015 
£m
(85)
(17)
299
(326)

1,154
121
21
21
66
(13)
13
22
1,306

14
6
–
–
(1)
–
–
1
9

15
(3)
(2)
(8)
(30)
1
(1)
(2)
(49)

(275)
(12)
(4)
(3)
–
–
–
–
(294)

908
112
15
10
35
(12)
12
21
972

14. Deferred tax continued

Movement in temporary differences during the year

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Provisions and accruals
Goodwill 
Pension/retirement schemes:

Deficits
Additional contributions and other1

Share-based payments
Financial instruments
Other items
Rolled over capital gains
Capital losses carried forward
Trading losses carried forward

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Provisions and accruals
Goodwill 
Pension/retirement schemes:

Deficits
Additional contributions and other1

Share-based payments
Financial instruments
Other items
Rolled over capital gains
Capital losses carried forward
Trading losses carried forward

1. 

Includes deferred tax assets on US deferred compensation plans.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016152

14. Deferred tax continued

Unrecognised deferred tax assets and liabilities
Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items:

Deductible temporary differences, including tax credits
Capital losses carried forward
Trading and other losses carried forward

2016

2015

Gross  
amount  
£m
2
165
415
582

Unrecognised 
deferred  
tax asset  
£m
2
30
39
71

Gross  
amount  
£m
1
172
454
627

Unrecognised 
deferred  
tax asset  
£m
1
31
38
70

These assets have not been recognised as the incidence of future profits in the relevant countries and legal entities cannot be accurately predicted 
at this time. 

The Group has not recognised any deferred tax liability on temporary differences totalling £274m (2015 £243m) relating to potentially taxable 
unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries and equity accounted investments because any withholding tax due on the remittance of those 
earnings is expected to be insignificant.

Future changes in tax rates
The UK current tax rate reduced from 21% to 20% with effect from 1 April 2015 and will reduce to 19% with effect from 1 April 2017 and 
to 17% with effect from 1 April 2020. This will reduce future UK current tax charges accordingly.

Both recognised and unrecognised UK deferred tax balances as at 31 December 2016 have been calculated at a blended rate of 18%, which 
is the same rate used as at 31 December 2015. 

15. Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, including all relevant overhead expenditure, and net realisable value.

Short-term work-in-progress
Raw materials and consumables
Finished goods and goods for resale

2016 
£m
416
256
72
744

2015 
£m
455
197
74
726

The Group recognised £10m (2015 £16m) as a write down of inventories to net realisable value.

16. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, call and term deposits, investments in money market funds and other short-term liquid 
investments with original maturities of three months or less and which are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. For the purpose 
of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents also includes bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand.

Cash
Money market funds
Short-term deposits

Deduct Cash and cash equivalents (included within assets held for sale)

1.  Re-presented to show money market funds separately from cash.

2016 
£m
419
869
1,483
2,771
(2)
2,769

20151
£m
339
197
2,001
2,537
–
2,537

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 201617. Geographical analysis of assets 

Analysis of non-current assets by geographical location

Asset location
UK
Rest of Europe
US
Saudi Arabia
Australia
Rest of Asia and Pacific
Non-current segment assets
Retirement benefit surpluses
Other financial assets
Tax
Inventories
Current trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets held for sale
Consolidated total assets

18. Loans and overdrafts

153

Notes

20
13

15
12
16

2016 
£m
2,755
586
9,864
443
474
6
14,128
223
549
1,256
744
3,305
2,769
2
22,976

2015 
£m
2,537
538
8,635
349
406
1
12,466
193
212
989
726
2,940
2,537
20
20,083

Loans and overdrafts are recognised initially at fair value, less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and overdrafts 
are stated at either amortised cost or, where hedge accounting has been adopted, fair value in respect of the hedged risk. Any difference 
between the amount initially recognised and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the period of the borrowings.

Non-current
Albertville Hangar bond, repayable 2018
US$1bn 6.375% bond, repayable 2019
US$500m 2.85% bond, repayable 2020
US$500m 4.75% bond, repayable 2021
£400m 4.125% bond, repayable 2022
US$800m 3.8% bond, repayable 2024
US$750m 3.85% bond, repayable 2025
US$500m 7.5% bond, repayable 2027
US$400m 5.8% bond, repayable 2041
US$550m 4.75% bond, repayable 2044

Current
US$350m 3.5% bond, repayable 2016

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

8
810
403
404
398
649
598
402
320
433
4,425

–
–

6
680
337
339
398
546
501
337
268
363
3,775

237
237

US$500m of the US$1bn 6.375% bond, repayable 2019, has been converted to a floating rate bond by utilising interest rate swaps that mature 
in June 2019 and give an effective rate during 2016 of 6.0%. 

US$500m of the US$800m 3.8% bond, repayable 2024, has been converted to a floating rate bond by utilising interest rate swaps that mature 
in October 2019 and give an effective rate during 2016 of 3.1%. US$500m of the US$800m bond is measured at amortised cost as adjusted for 
the fair value of the interest rate risk. 

The US$500m 7.5% bond, repayable 2027, was converted at issue to a sterling fixed rate bond by utilising cross-currency swaps and has an 
effective interest rate of 7.7%.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
154

19. Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are stated at their cost.

Non-current
Amounts due to long-term contract customers
Amounts due to other customers
Amounts owed to equity accounted investments (note 28)
Accruals and deferred income1
US deferred compensation plan liabilities
Other payables

Current
Amounts due to long-term contract customers
Amounts due to other customers
Trade payables
Amounts owed to equity accounted investments (note 28)
Other taxes and social security costs
Accruals and deferred income
Other payables

Included above:

Amounts due to long-term contract customers, including contract losses
Advances from long-term contract customers
Advances from other customers

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

173
10
24
300
326
194
1,027

3,084
169
707
726
206
1,406
242
6,540

3,257
3,133
179

456
8
32
121
264
139
1,020

3,119
204
690
414
155
1,371
209
6,162

3,575
3,416
212

1. 

Includes £209m (2015 £46m) of funding received from the UK government for property, plant and equipment at Barrow-in-Furness, UK, relating to the Dreadnought 
submarine programme.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016155

20. Retirement benefits

Pension schemes
Defined contribution
Obligations for contributions are recognised as an expense in the income statement as incurred. 

Defined benefit
The cost of providing benefits is determined periodically by independent actuaries and charged to the income statement in the period in 
which those benefits are earned by the employees. Remeasurements, including actuarial gains and losses, are recognised in the Consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they occur. Past service costs resulting from a plan amendment or curtailment 
are recognised immediately in the income statement. 

The retirement benefit surpluses and obligations recognised in the Group’s balance sheet represent the fair value of scheme assets, less 
the present value of the defined benefit obligations calculated using a number of actuarial assumptions as set out on page 158. The bid 
values of scheme assets are not intended to be realised in the short term and may be subject to significant change before they are realised. 
The present values of scheme liabilities are derived from cash flow projections over long periods and are, therefore, inherently uncertain.

IAS 19, Employee Benefits, limits the measurement of a defined benefit surplus to the lower of the surplus in the defined benefit scheme and 
the asset ceiling. The asset ceiling is the present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the scheme or reductions 
in future contributions to the scheme. IFRIC 14, IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their 
Interaction, issued in 2007, provides an interpretation of the requirements of IAS 19, clarifying that a refund is available if the entity has an 
unconditional right to a refund in certain circumstances. The Group has applied IFRIC 14 and has determined that there is no limit on the 
recognition of the surpluses in its defined benefit pension schemes as at 31 December 2016.

Certain of the Group’s equity accounted investments participate in the Group’s defined benefit schemes and, as these are multi-employer 
schemes, the Group has allocated a share of the IAS 19 pension surpluses and deficits to its equity accounted investments.

On 1 April 2016, a separate Airbus section of the BAE Systems Pension Scheme (Main Scheme) was created, reducing the total net IAS 19 deficit, 
with a corresponding reduction in the allocation to equity accounted investments. There was no settlement gain or loss upon sectionalisation 
of the Main Scheme.

The deficit allocation methodology for the remaining employers of the Main Scheme and for all other schemes is based on the relative payroll 
contributions of active members, which is consistent with prior years. Whilst this methodology is intended to reflect a reasonable estimate of the 
share of the deficit, it may not accurately reflect the obligations of the participating employers.

In the event that an employer who participates in the Group’s pension schemes fails or cannot be compelled to fulfil its obligations as a 
participating employer, the remaining participating employers are obliged to collectively take on its obligations. The Group considers the 
likelihood of this event arising as remote. However, following the creation of an Airbus section of the Main Scheme, the Group’s obligation 
in respect of Airbus has been removed in respect of the Main Scheme.

The Group’s share of the IAS 19 pension deficit allocated to the equity accounted investments is included in the balance sheet within equity 
accounted investments.

Pension schemes
Background
BAE Systems plc operates pension schemes for the Group’s qualifying employees in the UK, US and other countries. The principal schemes in the 
UK and US are funded defined benefit schemes, and the assets are held in separate trustee-administered funds. The two largest funded defined 
benefit schemes are the Main Scheme and the BAE Systems 2000 Pension Plan (2000 Plan) which, in aggregate, represent 69% (2015 71%) of 
the total IAS 19 defined benefit obligation at 31 December 2016. The schemes in other countries are primarily defined contribution schemes. 

At 31 December 2016, the weighted average durations of the UK and US defined benefit pension obligations were 19 years (2015 18 years) and 
12 years (2015 12 years), respectively.

The split of the defined benefit pension liability on a funding basis between active, deferred and pensioner members for the Main Scheme, 2000 
Plan and US schemes in aggregate is set out below:

Main Scheme1
2000 Plan2
US schemes3

1.  Source: Main Scheme actuarial valuation report as at 31 March 2014. 
2.  Source: 2000 Plan actuarial valuation report as at 31 March 2014. 
3.  Source: Annual updates of the US schemes as at 1 January 2016. 

Active 
%
32
14
32

Deferred 
%
19
29
17

Pensioner 
%
49
57
51

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016156

20. Retirement benefits continued 

Regulatory framework
The funded UK schemes are registered and subject to the statutory scheme specific-funding requirements outlined in UK legislation, including 
the payment of levies to the Pension Protection Fund as set out in the Pension Act 2004. These schemes were established under trust and the 
responsibility for their governance lies jointly with the trustees and the Group.

The funded US schemes are tax-qualified pension schemes regulated by the Pension Protection Act 2006 and insured by the Pension Benefit 
Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) up to certain limits. These schemes were established under and are governed by the US Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act 1974 and the BAE Systems Administrative Committee is a named fiduciary with the authority to manage their operation. 

Benefits
The UK defined benefit schemes provide benefits to members in the form of a set level of pension payable for life based on members’ final 
salaries. The benefits attract inflation-related increases both in deferment and payment. All UK defined benefit schemes are closed to new 
entrants, with benefits for new employees being provided through a defined contribution scheme. The Normal Retirement Age for active 
members of the Main Scheme and 2000 Plan is 65. Specific benefits applicable to members differ between schemes. Further details on the 
benefits provided by each scheme are provided on the BAE Systems Pensions website: baesystemspensions.com.

The US defined benefit schemes ceased to be final salary schemes in January 2013. The benefits accrued based on the final salaries of members 
at that point will become payable on retirement. The Normal Retirement Age for the largest scheme in the US is 65. 

Funding 
The majority of the UK and US defined benefit pension schemes are funded by the Group’s subsidiaries and equity accounted investments. 
The individual pension schemes’ funding requirements are based on actuarial measurement frameworks set out in their funding policies. 

For funding valuation purposes, pension scheme assets are included at market value, whilst the liabilities are determined based on prudent 
assumptions set by the trustees following consultation with scheme actuaries.

The separate actuarial valuations for funding purposes include assumptions which differ from the actuarial assumptions used for IAS 19 accounting 
purposes shown on page 158. The latest valuations of the Main Scheme and 2000 Plan were performed as at 31 March 2014 and showed a 
funding deficit of £2.6bn. The total net funding deficit in respect of all of the UK schemes was £2.7bn. Deficit recovery plans agreed with the 
trustees of the relevant schemes run until 2026.

The next UK triennial funding valuations, as at 31 March 2017, will commence in April 2017 and, in conjunction with the trustees of the schemes 
and other stakeholders, the Group will be looking at various options with a focus on the longer-term view. The results of future triennial valuations 
and associated funding requirements will be impacted by the future performance of investment markets, and interest and inflation rates.

The total Group contributions made to the defined benefit schemes in the year ended 31 December 2016 were £411m (2015 £438m) excluding 
those amounts allocated to equity accounted investments of £50m (2015 £98m). Equity accounted investments make regular contributions to the 
schemes in which they participate in line with the schedule of contributions and are allocated a share of deficit funding contributions.

In 2017, the Group expects to make contributions at a similar level to the recurring contributions and deficit funding as made in 2016.

The Group incurred a charge of £163m (2015 £140m) in relation to defined contribution schemes for employees.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016157

20. Retirement benefits continued 

Risk management
The defined benefit pension schemes expose the Group to actuarial risks, including market (investment) risk, interest rate risk, inflation risk and 
longevity risk. 

Risk

Mitigation

Market (investment) risk
Asset returns may not move in line with the 
liabilities and may be subject to volatility.

Interest rate risk
Liabilities are sensitive to movements in interest 
rates, with lower interest rates leading to an 
increase in the valuation of liabilities.

Inflation risk 
Liabilities are sensitive to movements in inflation, 
with higher inflation leading to an increase in 
the valuation of liabilities.

Longevity risk
Liabilities are sensitive to life expectancy, with 
increases in life expectancies leading to an 
increase in the valuation of liabilities. 

The investment portfolios are highly diversified, investing in a wide range of assets, in order to 
provide reasonable assurance that no single security or type of security could have a materially 
adverse impact on the total portfolio. To reduce volatility, certain assets are held in a matching 
portfolio, which largely consists of index-linked bonds, gilts and swaps, designed to mirror 
movements in corresponding liabilities.
Some 47% (2015 49%) of the Group’s pension scheme assets are held in equities and pooled 
investment vehicles due to the higher expected level of return over the long term.
Some of the Group’s pension schemes use derivative financial instruments as part of their 
investment strategy to manage the level of market risk. In August 2013, the Main Scheme 
implemented a long-dated equity option strategy protecting £1.4bn of assets against a 
significant fall in equity markets.

In addition to investing in bonds as part of the matching portfolio, some of the UK schemes 
invest in interest rate swaps to reduce the exposure to movements in interest rates. The swaps 
are held with several banks to reduce counterparty risk. The Group is hedged against 
approximately 35% of interest rate risk.

In addition to investing in index-linked bonds as part of the matching portfolio, the principal 
UK schemes invest in long-term inflation swaps to reduce the exposure to movements in 
inflation. The swaps are held with several banks to reduce counterparty risk. The Group is 
hedged against approximately 40% of inflation risk.
Effective 1 May 2014, the Main Scheme implemented a pension increase exchange to allow 
retired members to elect for a higher current pension in exchange for foregoing certain rights 
to future pension increases. 

Longevity adjustment factors are used in the majority of the UK pension schemes in 
order to adjust the pension benefits payable so as to share the cost of people living longer 
with employees. 
In February 2013, with the agreement of the Company, the trustees of the 2000 Plan entered 
into an arrangement with Legal & General to insure against longevity risk for the current 
pensioner population, covering £2.7bn of pension scheme liabilities. In December 2013, similar 
arrangements were entered into, with Legal & General, by the trustees of the Royal Ordnance 
Pension Scheme and Shipbuilding Industries Pension Scheme, covering £0.9bn and £0.8bn of 
pension scheme liabilities, respectively. These arrangements reduce the funding volatility relating 
to increasing life expectancy.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016158

20. Retirement benefits continued

Principal actuarial assumptions 
The assumptions used are estimates chosen from a range of possible actuarial assumptions which, due to the long-term nature of the obligation 
covered, may not necessarily occur in practice.

Financial assumptions
Discount rate (%)
Inflation (%)
Rate of increase in salaries (%)
Rate of increase in deferred pensions (%)
Rate of increase in pensions in payment (%)
Demographic assumptions
Life expectancy of a male currently aged 65 (years)
Life expectancy of a female currently aged 65 (years)
Life expectancy of a male currently aged 45 (years)
Life expectancy of a female currently aged 45 (years)

UK

US

2016

2015

2014

2016

2015

2014

3.6
3.9
2.7
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
2.2/3.2
2.3/3.2
2.3/3.2
1.7 – 3.7 1.8 – 3.6 1.8 – 3.6

86 – 89
89 – 90
88 – 91
91 – 92

87 – 89
89 – 90
89 – 91
91 – 92

87 – 89
89 – 90
89 – 91
91 – 92

4.2
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

87
89
87
89

4.5
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

87
89
87
89

4.1
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

87
89
87
89

Discount rate
The discount rate assumptions are derived through discounting the projected benefit payments of the principal schemes using a third-party AA 
corporate bond yield curve to produce a single equivalent discount rate for the UK and US territories. This inherently captures the maturity profile 
of the expected benefit payments. Further information on the duration of the schemes is detailed on page 155. 

Inflation
In the UK, the inflation assumptions are derived by reference to the difference between the yields on index-linked and fixed-interest long-term 
government bonds, or advice from the local actuary depending on the available information. In the US, inflation assumptions are not significant 
as the Group’s US pension schemes are not indexed with inflation.

Rate of increase in salaries
The rate of increase in salaries for the UK schemes is assumed to be Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation of 3.2% (2015 RPI inflation of 3.2%), plus 
a promotional scale. From 1 January 2013, employees in the US schemes no longer accrue salary-related benefits.

Rate of increase in deferred pensions
The rate of increase in deferred pensions for the UK schemes is based on Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation of 2.2% (2015 CPI inflation of 
2.3%), with the exception of the 2000 Plan, which is based on RPI inflation of 3.2% (2015 RPI inflation of 3.2%). For all UK schemes, the rate of 
increase in deferred pensions is subject to inflation caps. 

Rate of increase in pensions in payment
The rate of increase in pensions in payment differs between UK schemes. Different tranches of the schemes increase at rates based on either RPI 
or CPI inflation, and some are subject to an inflation cap. With the exception of two smaller schemes, the rate of increase in pensions in payment 
is based on RPI inflation.

Life expectancy
For its UK pension schemes, the Group has used the Self-Administered Pension Schemes S2 mortality tables based on year of birth (as published 
by the Institute of Actuaries) for both pensioner and non-pensioner members in conjunction with the results of an investigation into the actual 
mortality experience of scheme members. In addition, to allow for future improvements in longevity, the Continuous Mortality Investigation 2015 
tables (published by the Institute of Actuaries) have been used, with an assumed long-term rate of future annual mortality improvements of 1.25% 
(2015 1.25%), for both pensioner and non-pensioner members. 

In October 2015, the Society of Actuaries in the US released updated mortality assumptions reflecting the results of its comprehensive mortality 
study. For the majority of the US schemes, the mortality tables used at 31 December 2016 are a blend of the fully generational RP-2014 Aggregate 
table and the RP-2014 White Collar table, both projected using Scale MP-2016. IRS approval of the mortality tables is expected in 2017, following 
which the tables are expected to be adopted for funding valuation purposes.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016159

20. Retirement benefits continued

Retirement benefits other than pensions
Background
The Group operates a number of non-pension retirement benefit schemes, under which certain employees are eligible to receive benefits after 
retirement, the majority of which relate to the provision of medical benefits to retired employees of the Group’s subsidiaries in the US. The latest 
valuations of the principal schemes, covering retiree medical and life insurance schemes in certain US subsidiaries, were performed by independent 
actuaries as at 1 January 2016. These valuations were rolled forward to reflect the information at 31 December 2016. The method of accounting 
for these is similar to that used for defined benefit pension schemes.

Principal actuarial assumptions
The assumption for long-term healthcare cost increases is 4.8% (2015 4.8%) based on the assumptions that the increases are 6.5% in 2016 
reducing to 4.5% by 2024 and 4.5% each year thereafter for pre-retirement, and 5.5% in 2016 reducing to 4.5% by 2024 and 4.5% each year 
thereafter for post-retirement.

The disclosures below relate to post-retirement benefit schemes in the UK, US and other countries which are accounted for as defined benefit 
schemes in accordance with IAS 19.

Summary of movements in retirement benefit obligations

Total net IAS 19 deficit at 1 January 2016
Impact of sectionalisation of the Main Scheme1

Actual return on assets excluding amounts included in net interest expense
Increase in liabilities due to changes in financial assumptions 
Decrease in liabilities due to changes in demographic assumptions 
Experience gains 
Additional contributions in excess of service cost
Recurring contributions in excess of service cost
Past service cost – plan amendments 
Net interest expense 
Foreign exchange adjustments 
Movement in US healthcare schemes
Total net IAS 19 deficit at 31 December 2016
Allocated to equity accounted investments
Group’s share of net IAS 19 deficit excluding Group’s share of amounts 

allocated to equity accounted investments at 31 December 2016

UK 
£m
(4,824)
667
(4,157)
2,649
(4,815)
250
242
164
46
(7)
(150)
–
–
(5,778)
516

US and 
other 
£m
(730)
–
(730)
180
(170)
40
10
–
43
(4)
(34)
(135)
8
(792)
–

Total 
£m
(5,554)
667
(4,887)
2,829
(4,985)
290
252
164
89
(11)
(184)
(135)
8
(6,570)
516

(5,262)

(792)

(6,054)

1.  The Main Scheme deficit allocated to Airbus at 31 December 2015 of £683m as adjusted for a £16m contribution into the scheme by Airbus in the first quarter of 2016.

The increase in liabilities due to changes in financial assumptions in the UK schemes reflects a 1.2 percentage point decrease in the real 
discount rate to −0.5%.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016160

20. Retirement benefits continued

Amounts recognised on the balance sheet
The table below shows a reconciliation between the gross assets and liabilities of the Group’s UK, US and other post-retirement benefit schemes 
and the amounts recognised on the Group’s balance sheet after allocation to equity accounted investments. 

Present value of unfunded obligations
Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of scheme assets
Total net IAS 19 (deficit)/surplus
Allocated to equity accounted investments
Group’s share of net IAS 19 (deficit)/surplus
Represented by:

Retirement benefit surpluses 
Retirement benefit obligations 

UK defined 
benefit 
pension 
schemes 
£m
(74)
(27,099)
21,395
(5,778)
516
(5,262)

2016

US and 
other 
pension 
schemes 
£m
(153)
(4,981)
4,313
(821)
–
(821)

US 
healthcare 
schemes 
£m
–
(169)
198
29
–
29

UK defined 
benefit 
pension 
schemes 
£m
(59)
(24,974)
20,209
(4,824)
1,053
(3,771)

Total 
£m
(227)
(32,249)
25,906
(6,570)
516
(6,054)

2015

US and 
other 
pension 
schemes 
£m
(131)
(4,072)
3,452
(751)
–
(751)

US 
healthcare 
schemes 
£m
–
(145)
166
21
–
21

Total 
£m
(190)
(29,191)
23,827
(5,554)
1,053
(4,501)

132
(5,394)
(5,262)

49
(870)
(821)

42
(13)
29

223
(6,277)
(6,054)

120
(3,891)
(3,771)

41
(792)
(751)

32
(11)
21

193
(4,694)
(4,501)

Group’s share of net IAS 19 deficit of equity 

accounted investments

(193)

–

–

(193)

(139)

–

–

(139)

Total cumulative actuarial losses recognised in equity since the transition to IFRS are £6.7bn (2015 £5.2bn).

Changes in the fair value of scheme assets before allocation to equity accounted investments

Value of scheme assets at 1 January 2015

Interest income
Actual return on assets excluding amounts included in interest income 

Actual return on assets

Contributions by employer
Contributions by employer in respect of employee salary sacrifice arrangements

Total contributions by employer
Members’ contributions 
Administrative expenses
Settlements
Foreign exchange translation
Benefits paid
Value of scheme assets at 31 December 2015
Impact of sectionalisation of the Main Scheme

Interest income
Actual return on assets excluding amounts included in interest income 

Actual return on assets

Contributions by employer
Contributions by employer in respect of employee salary sacrifice arrangements

Total contributions by employer
Members’ contributions 
Administrative expenses
Foreign exchange translation
Benefits paid
Value of scheme assets at 31 December 2016

UK defined 
benefit 
pension 
schemes 
£m
20,170
720
(335)
385
460
103
563
11
–
–
–
(920)
20,209
(1,779)
710
2,649
3,359
390
86
476
9
–
–
(879)
21,395

US and 
other 
pension 
schemes 
£m
3,505
142
(198)
(56)
76
–
76
–
(12)
(64)
190
(187)
3,452
–
166
180
346
71
–
71
–
(17)
679
(218)
4,313

US 
healthcare 
schemes 
£m
165
7
(9)
(2)
2
–
2
–
(1)
–
9
(7)
166
–
8
2
10
1
–
1
–
–
33
(12)
198

Total 
£m
23,840
869
(542)
327
538
103
641
11
(13)
(64)
199
(1,114)
23,827
(1,779)
884
2,831
3,715
462
86
548
9
(17)
712
(1,109)
25,906

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016161

20. Retirement benefits continued

Assets of defined benefit pension schemes 

Equities:
UK1 
Overseas

Pooled investment vehicles2
Fixed interest securities:

UK gilts
UK corporates
Overseas government
Overseas corporates 
Index-linked securities:

UK gilts
UK corporates

Property 3 
Derivatives4 
Cash:

Sterling
Foreign currency

Other 
Total

Equities:
UK1 
Overseas

Pooled investment vehicles2
Fixed interest securities:

UK gilts
UK corporates
Overseas government
Overseas corporates 
Index-linked securities:

UK gilts
UK corporates

Property3 
Derivatives4 
Cash:

Sterling
Foreign currency

Other 
Total

UK

2016

US and other

Total

Quoted 
£m

Unquoted 
£m

Total 
£m 

Quoted 
£m

Unquoted 
£m

Total 
£m 

Quoted 
£m

Unquoted 
£m

Total 
£m 

4,030 
2,774 
1,503 

1,947 
2,389 
79 
1,069 

2,039 
1,046 
–
–

–
–
2,428 

–
145 
–
230 

–
546 
1,460 
(708)

4,030 
2,774 
3,931 

1,947 
2,534 
79 
1,299 

2,039 
1,592 
1,460 
(708)

–
430 
988 

–
–
151 
2,509 

–
–
–
–

345 
32 
–
 17,253 

–
26 
15 
 4,142 

345 
58 
15
 21,395 

–
79 
–
 4,157 

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
147
–

–
–
9
156

–
430 
988 

–
–
151 
2,509 

–
–
147 
–

4,030 
3,204 
2,491 

1,947 
2,389 
230 
3,578 

2,039 
1,046 
–
–

–
–
2,428 

–
145 
–
230 

–
546 
1,607 
(708)

4,030 
3,204 
4,919 

1,947 
2,534 
230 
3,808 

2,039 
1,592 
1,607 
(708)

–
79 
9 
 4,313 

345 
111 
–
 21,410 

–
26 
24 
 4,298 

345 
137 
24 
 25,708 

UK5,6

2015

US and other

Total5,6

Quoted 
£m

Unquoted 
£m

Total 
£m 

Quoted 
£m

Unquoted 
£m

Total 
£m 

Quoted 
£m

Unquoted 
£m

Total 
£m 

4,133 
2,883 
1,172 

2,103 
2,534 
–
184 

1,754 
1,074 
–
–

253 
44 
–
 16,134 

–
–
2,247

–
237
–
205

–
604
1,433
(678)

–
13
14
4,075

4,133 
2,883 
3,419 

2,103 
2,771 
–
389 

1,754 
1,678 
1,433 
(678)

–
602
480

–
–
111
2,084

–
–
–
–

253 
57 
14
 20,209 

–
23
–
3,300

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
146
–

–
–
6
152

–
602
480

–
–
111
2,084

–
–
146
–

–
23
6
3,452

4,133 
3,485 
1,652 

2,103 
2,534 
111 
2,268 

1,754 
1,074 
–
–

253 
67 
–
 19,434 

–
–
2,247

–
237
–
205

–
604
1,579
(678)

–
13
20
4,227

4,133 
3,485 
3,899 

2,103 
2,771 
111 
2,473 

1,754 
1,678 
1,579 
(678)

253 
80 
20
 23,661 

Includes £32m (2015 £31m) of the Company’s own ordinary shares. 

1. 
2.  Primarily invested in equities. The amounts classified as unquoted primarily comprise investments in private equity, valued in accordance with International Private Equity 

and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines.

3.  Valued on the basis of open market value at the end of the year determined in accordance with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ Appraisal and Valuation 

Standards and the Practice Note contained therein. Includes £229m (2015 £257m) of property occupied by Group companies. 

4.  Includes interest rate, inflation and longevity swaps. The valuations are based on valuation techniques using underlying market data and discounted cash flows. 
5.  2015 assets are prior to sectionalisation of the Main Scheme. 
6.  Restated following reinterpretation of the classifications, including the allocation between quoted and unquoted assets.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016162

20. Retirement benefits continued

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligations before allocation to equity accounted investments

Defined benefit obligations at 1 January 2015

Current service cost
Contributions by employer in respect of employee salary sacrifice arrangements

Total current service cost
Members’ contributions 
Past service cost – plan amendments 
Settlements
Actuarial gain due to changes in financial assumptions 
Actuarial gain due to changes in demographic assumptions 
Experience gains/(losses)
Interest expense
Foreign exchange translation
Benefits paid
Defined benefit obligations at 31 December 2015
Impact of sectionalisation of the Main Scheme

Current service cost
Contributions by employer in respect of employee salary sacrifice arrangements

Total current service cost
Members’ contributions 
Past service cost – plan amendments 
Actuarial loss due to changes in financial assumptions 
Actuarial gain due to changes in demographic assumptions 
Experience gains
Interest expense
Foreign exchange translation
Benefits paid
Defined benefit obligations at 31 December 2016

UK defined 
 benefit 
pension 
schemes 
£m
(26,236)
(239)
(103)
(342)
(11)
(10)
–
1,348
–
224
(926)
–
920
(25,033)
2,446
(180)
(86)
(266)
(9)
(7)
(4,815)
250
242
(860)
–
879
(27,173)

US and 
other 
pension 
schemes 
£m
(4,270)
(11)
–
(11)
–
–
68
202
29
(4)
(174)
(230)
187
(4,203)
–
(11)
–
(11)
–
(4)
(170)
40
10
(200)
(814)
218
(5,134)

US 
healthcare 
schemes 
£m
(146)
(2)
–
(2)
–
–
–
7
2
1
(6)
(8)
7
(145)
–
(1)
–
(1)
–
(1)
(5)
3
1
(7)
(26)
12
(169)

Total 
£m
(30,652)
(252)
(103)
(355)
(11)
(10)
68
1,557
31
221
(1,106)
(238)
1,114
(29,381)
2,446
(192)
(86)
(278)
(9)
(12)
(4,990)
293
253
(1,067)
(840)
1,109
(32,476)

Amounts recognised in the income statement after allocation to equity accounted investments

2016

2015

UK defined 
benefit 
pension 
schemes 
£m

US and 
other 
pension 
schemes 
£m

US 
healthcare 
schemes 
£m

Included in operating costs:

Current service cost
Past service cost – plan amendments
Settlements

Administrative expenses

Included in net finance costs:

(161)
(7)
–
(168)
–
(168)

(11)
(4)
–
(15)
(17)
(32)

Net interest (expense)/income on retirement benefit 

obligations

(136)

(34)

Group defined benefit schemes included in share 

of results of equity accounted investments:
Group’s share of equity accounted investments’ 

operating costs

Group’s share of equity accounted investments’ 

finance costs

(10)

(5)

–

–

(1)
(1)
–
(2)
–
(2)

1

–

–

UK defined 
benefit 
pension 
schemes 
£m

US and 
other 
pension 
schemes 
£m

US 
healthcare 
schemes 
£m

Total 
£m

(173)
(12)
–
(185)
(17)
(202)

(177)
(10)
–
(187)
–
(187)

(11)
–
4
(7)
(12)
(19)

(169)

(161)

(32)

(10)

(5)

(10)

(6)

–

–

Total 
£m

(190)
(10)
4
(196)
(13)
(209)

(192)

(10)

(6)

(2)
–
–
(2)
(1)
(3)

1

–

–

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016163

20. Retirement benefits continued

Sensitivity analysis
The sensitivity information has been derived using scenario analysis from the actuarial assumptions as at 31 December 2016 and keeping all other 
assumptions as set out on page 158. 

Financial assumptions
Changes in the following financial assumptions would have the following effect on the defined benefit pension obligation before allocation to 
equity accounted investments:

Discount rate:

0.1 percentage point increase
0.1 percentage point decrease

Inflation: 

0.1 percentage point increase
0.1 percentage point decrease

(Increase)/decrease 
in pension obligation 
£bn

0.6
(0.6)

(0.5)
0.5

The sensitivity analysis does not allow for the impact of the Group’s risk management activities in respect of interest rate and inflation risk (see 
page 157) on the valuation of the scheme assets. Across all of its pension schemes, the Group is hedged against approximately 35% and 40% 
of interest rate and inflation risk, respectively, measured relative to the funding liabilities. The Group’s US schemes are not indexed with inflation. 
The table below shows the estimated impact of changes in the following financial assumptions allowing for the impact of the Group’s risk 
management activities in respect of interest rate and inflation risk swaps, together with the impact on the matched asset portfolio. It does 
not reflect any natural matching that occurs in the wider asset portfolio:

Discount rate:

0.1 percentage point increase
0.1 percentage point decrease

Inflation: 

0.1 percentage point increase
0.1 percentage point decrease

(Increase)/decrease 
in pension obligation 
£bn

(Increase)/decrease 
in scheme assets 
£bn

0.6
(0.6)

(0.5)
0.5

(0.2)
0.2

0.2
(0.2)

The sensitivity of the valuation of the liabilities to changes in the inflation assumption presented above assumes that a 0.1 percentage point 
change to expectations of future inflation results in a 0.1 percentage point change to all inflation-related assumptions (rate of increase in salaries, 
rate of increase in deferred pensions and rate of increase in pensions in payment) used to value the liabilities. However, upper and lower limits 
exist on the majority of inflation-related benefits such that a change in expectations of future inflation may not have the same impact on the 
inflation-related benefits, and hence will result in a smaller change to the valuation of the liabilities. Accordingly, extrapolation of the above results 
beyond the specific sensitivity figures shown may not be appropriate. To illustrate this, the (increase)/decrease in the defined benefit pension 
obligation resulting from larger changes in the inflation assumption would be as follows:

Inflation:

0.5 percentage point increase
0.5 percentage point decrease
1.0 percentage point increase
1.0 percentage point decrease

(Increase)/decrease 
in pension obligation 
£bn

(1.8)
1.6
(3.5)
3.0

Demographic assumptions
Changes in the life expectancy assumption, including the benefit of longevity swap arrangements (see longevity risk on page 157), would have 
the following effect on the total net IAS 19 deficit: 

Life expectancy: 
One-year increase
One-year decrease

(Increase)/decrease 
in net deficit 
£bn

(1.1)
1.1

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016164

21. Provisions

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is 
probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and the amount has been reliably estimated. If the 
effect is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at an appropriate pre-tax discount rate.

Warranties and after-sales service
Warranties and after-sales service are provided in the normal course of business with provisions for associated costs being made based on 
an assessment of future claims with reference to past experience. A provision for warranties is recognised when the underlying products and 
services are sold. The provision is based on historical warranty data and a weighting of possible outcomes against their associated probabilities.

Reorganisations
A provision for restructuring is recognised when the Group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring has 
either commenced or has been publicly announced. The costs associated with the reorganisation programmes are supported by detailed plans 
and based on previous experience as well as other known factors. Future operating costs are not provided for.

Legal, contractual and environmental
The Group holds provisions for expected legal, contractual and environmental costs that it expects to incur over an extended period. 
Management exercises judgement to determine the amount of these provisions. Provision is made for known issues based on past experience 
of similar items and other known factors. Each provision is considered separately and the amount provided reflects the best estimate of the 
most likely amount, being the single most likely amount in a range of possible outcomes.

Non-current
Current
At 1 January 2016
Created
Utilised
Released1
Net present value adjustments 
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2016
Represented by:
Non-current
Current

Warranties  
and 
after-sales 
service 
£m
48
37
85
55
(31)
(16)
–
9
102

59
43
102

Legal, 
contractual  
and 
environmental 
£m
278
151
429
44
(48)
(62)
16
32
411

Reorganisations 
£m
–
65
65
13
(36)
(21)
–
2
23

1
22
23

280
131
411

Other 
£m
28
48
76
27
(19)
(26)
3
9
70

32
38
70

Total 
£m
354
301
655
139
(134)
(125)
19
52
606

372
234
606

1.  There are no individual provision releases in excess of £10m.

Warranties and after-sales service 
Warranty and after-sales service costs are generally incurred within three years post-delivery. Whilst actual events could result in potentially 
significant differences to the quantum, but not the timing, of the outflows in relation to the provisions, management has reflected current 
knowledge in assessing the provision levels. 

Reorganisations 
Reorganisation costs are generally incurred within one to three years. There is limited volatility around the timing and amount of the ultimate 
outflows related to these provisions. 

Legal, contractual and environmental 
Reflecting the inherent uncertainty within many legal proceedings, the amount of the outflows could differ significantly from the amount provided.

Other 
There are no individually significant provisions included within other provisions. 

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016165

22. Share capital and other reserves

Share capital

Issued and fully paid
At 1 January 2015
Repurchased and cancelled
At 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2016

Equity

Non-equity

Total

Ordinary shares of 2.5p each

Special Share of £1

Number of 
shares  
m

Nominal 
value 
£m

Number of 
shares 

Nominal 
value 
£

Nominal 
value 
£m

3,469
(2)
3,467

87
–
87

1
–
1

1
–
1

87
–
87

Special Share
One Special Share of £1 in the Company is held on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (the Special 
Shareholder). Certain provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association cannot be amended without the consent of the Special Shareholder. 
These provisions include the requirement that no foreign person, or foreign persons acting in concert, can have more than a 15% voting interest 
in the Company, the requirement that the majority of the directors are British, and the requirement that the Chief Executive and any executive 
Chairman are British citizens. The effect of these requirements can also be amended by regulations made by the directors and approved by the 
Special Shareholder.

The Special Shareholder may require the Company at any time to redeem the Special Share at par or to convert the Special Share into one 
ordinary voting share. The Special Shareholder is entitled to receive notice of and to attend general meetings and class meetings of the Company’s 
shareholders, but has no voting right, nor other rights, other than to speak in relation to any business in respect of the Special Share.

Share buyback
In 2015, 1,450,000 ordinary shares of 2.5p were repurchased under the three-year buyback programme announced in February 2013 and such 
repurchased shares were cancelled. 

Treasury shares
As at 31 December 2016, 291,449,361 (2015 301,808,103) ordinary shares of 2.5p each with an aggregate nominal value of £7,286,234 
(2015 £7,545,203) were held in treasury. During 2016, 10,358,742 (2015 14,018,511) treasury shares were used to satisfy awards and options 
under the Share Incentive Plan, International Share Incentive Plan, Performance Share Plan, Restricted Share Plan and Executive Share Option Plan. 

Own shares held
Own shares held, including treasury shares and shares held by BAE Systems Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) Trust, are recognised as a deduction 
from retained earnings. 

BAE Systems ESOP Trust 
The Group has an ESOP discretionary trust to administer the share plans and to acquire Company shares, using funds loaned by the Group, to meet 
commitments to Group employees. Dividend waivers were in operation for shares within the ESOP Trust, other than those owned beneficially by 
the participants, for the dividends paid in June and November 2016. 

At 31 December 2016, the ESOP held 1,327,731 (2015 897,873) ordinary shares of 2.5p each, with a market value of £8m (2015 £4m). The shares 
held by the ESOP are recorded at cost and deducted from retained earnings until such time as the shares vest unconditionally to employees. 

A dividend waiver was also in operation for the dividends paid in June and November 2016 over shares within the Company’s Share Incentive Plan 
Trust other than those shares owned beneficially by the participants.

Equity dividends

Equity dividends on ordinary share capital are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are declared. The interim dividend is recognised 
when it has been approved by the Board and the final dividend is recognised when it has been approved by the shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting.

Prior year final 12.5p dividend per ordinary share paid in the year (2015 12.3p)
Interim 8.6p dividend per ordinary share paid in the year (2015 8.4p)

2016 
£m
397
273
670

2015 
£m
389
266
655

After the balance sheet date, the directors proposed a final dividend of 12.7p per ordinary share. The dividend, which is subject to shareholder 
approval, will be paid on 1 June 2017 to shareholders registered on 21 April 2017. The ex-dividend date is 20 April 2017.

Shareholders who do not at present participate in the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan and wish to receive the final dividend in shares 
rather than cash should complete a mandate form for the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and return it to the registrars no later than 10 May 2017.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016166

22. Share capital and other reserves continued

Other reserves

At 1 January 2015
Subsidiaries:

Merger 
reserve 
£m
4,589

Statutory 
reserve 
£m
202

Revaluation 
reserve 
£m
10

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m
3

Hedging 
reserve 
£m
(42)

Translation 
reserve 
£m
299

Total 
£m
5,061

Currency translation on foreign currency net investments
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation reserve 

on disposal

Amounts credited to hedging reserve1
Tax on other comprehensive income1
Equity accounted investments (net of tax)1
At 31 December 2015
Subsidiaries:

Currency translation on foreign currency net investments
Amounts credited to hedging reserve 
Tax on other comprehensive income
Equity accounted investments (net of tax)
At 31 December 2016

1.  Re-presented in accordance with Amendments to IAS 1: Disclosure Initiative.

–

–
–
–
–
4,589

–
–
–
–
4,589

–

–
–
–
–
202

–
–
–
–
202

–

–
–
–
–
10

–
–
–
–
10

–

–
–
–
–
3

–
–
–
–
3

–

261

261

–
11
(2)
(29)
(62)

–
96
(17)
(7)
10

20
–
–
(45)
535

1,284
–
–
52
1,871

20
11
(2)
(74)
5,277

1,284
96
(17)
45
6,685

Merger reserve
The merger reserve arose on the acquisition of the Marconi Electronic Systems (MES) business by British Aerospace in 1999 to form BAE Systems, 
and represents the amount by which the fair value of the shares issued by British Aerospace as consideration exceeded their nominal value. 

Statutory reserve
Under Section 4 of the British Aerospace Act 1980, this reserve may only be applied in paying up unissued shares of the Company to be allotted 
to members of the Company as fully paid bonus shares.

Revaluation reserve
The revaluation reserve relates to the revaluation at fair value of the net assets of the BVT joint venture previously held as an equity accounted 
investment on the acquisition of the remaining 45% interest in 2009.

Capital redemption reserve
The capital redemption reserve represents the cumulative nominal value of the Company’s ordinary shares repurchased and subsequently cancelled. 

Hedging reserve
The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments related 
to hedged transactions that have not yet occurred. 

Translation reserve
The translation reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations.

Capital
The Group funds its operations through a mixture of equity funding and debt financing, including bank and capital market borrowings.

At 31 December 2016, the Group’s capital was £3,454m (2015 £3,064m), which comprises total equity of £3,464m (2015 £3,002m), excluding 
amounts accumulated in equity relating to cash flow hedges of £10m (2015 liability £62m). Net debt was £1,542m (2015 £1,422m).

The capital structure of the Group reflects the judgement of the directors of an appropriate balance of funding required. The Group’s policy is 
to maintain an investment grade credit rating and ensure operating flexibility, whilst: 

– meeting its pension obligations;

– pursuing organic investment opportunities; 

– paying dividends in line with the Group’s policy of long-term sustainable cover of around two times underlying earnings (see note 7);

– making accelerated returns of capital to shareholders when the balance sheet allows and when the return from doing so is in excess 

of the Group’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital; and

– investing in value-enhancing acquisitions, where market conditions are right and where they deliver on the Group’s strategy.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016167

23. Operating business cash flow

Key Performance Indicator – Operating business cash flow
Definition Net cash flow from operating activities excluding taxation after net capital expenditure, financial investment and dividends from 
equity accounted investments.

Purpose Allows management to monitor the operating cash generation of the Group. 

Reconciliation of net cash flow from operating activities to operating business cash flow

Net cash flow from operating activities
Add back Taxation paid

Purchase of property, plant and equipment, and investment property
Purchase of intangible assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, and investment property
Proceeds from sale of non-current other investments
Equity accounted investment funding

Net capital expenditure and financial investment
Dividends received from equity accounted investments
Operating business cash flow

2016 
£m
1,229
187
(408)
(82)
45
–
(5)
(450)
38
1,004

2015  
£m 
808
116
(359)
(54)
136
1
(8)
(284)
41
681

Reconciliation of operating business cash flow to net cash flow from operating activities by reporting segment

Electronic Systems
Cyber & Intelligence
Platforms & Services (US)
Platforms & Services (UK)
Platforms & Services (International)
HQ

Taxation paid2
Net cash flow from operating activities

Operating business 
cash flow

Deduct  
Dividends received 
from equity accounted 
investments

Add back  
Net capital  
expenditure and 
financial investment

Net cash flow from 
operating activities

2016
£m
469
83
58
199
435
(240)
1,004

20151
£m
370
46
100
220
164
(219)
681

2016
£m
(2)
–
(9)
(3)
(19)
(5)
(38)

2015
£m
(1)
–
(6)
(6)
(26)
(2)
(41)

2016
£m
101
23
80
189
57
–
450

20151
£m
76
24
50
75
55
4
284

2016
£m
568
106
129
385
473
(245)
1,416
(187)
1,229

20151
£m
445
70
144
289
193
(217)
924
(116)
808

1.  Re-presented for the transfer of the GEOINT-ISR (Geospatial Intelligence – Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) business from Cyber & Intelligence to 

Electronic Systems.

2.  Taxation is managed on a Group basis.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016168

24. Net debt

Key Performance Indicator – Net debt
Definition Cash and cash equivalents, less loans and overdrafts (including debt-related derivative financial instruments).

Purpose Allows management to monitor the net cash generation of the Group.

Components of net debt

Cash and cash equivalents
Debt-related derivative financial instrument assets – non-current
Loans – non-current
Loans and overdrafts – current
Net debt 

25. Fair value measurement

Fair value of financial instruments
Certain of the Group’s financial instruments are held at fair value.

Notes
16
13
18
18

2016 
£m
2,769
114
(4,425)
–
(1,542)

2015 
£m
2,537
53
(3,775)
(237)
(1,422)

The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction 
between market participants at the balance sheet date.

The fair values of financial instruments held at fair value have been determined based on available market information at the balance sheet date, 
and the valuation methodologies listed below:

– the fair values of forward foreign exchange contracts are calculated by discounting the contracted forward values and translating at the 

appropriate balance sheet rates; 

– the fair values of both interest rate and cross-currency swaps are calculated by discounting expected future principal and interest cash flows 

and translating at the appropriate balance sheet rates; and 

– the fair values of loans and overdrafts have been estimated by discounting the future cash flows to net present values using appropriate 

market-based interest rates prevailing at 31 December. 

Due to the variability of the valuation factors, the fair values presented at 31 December may not be indicative of the amounts the Group would 
expect to realise in the current market environment.

Fair value hierarchy
The fair value measurement hierarchy is as follows:

– Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; 

– Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) 

or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

– Level 3 – Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (i.e. unobservable inputs).

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 201625. Fair value measurement continued

Carrying amounts and fair values of certain financial instruments

Financial instruments measured at fair value:

Non-current
Available-for-sale financial assets 
Other receivables1 
Other financial assets
Other financial liabilities
Other payables1
Current
Other financial assets
Other financial liabilities

Financial instruments not measured at fair value:

Non-current
Loans2
Current
Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and overdrafts 

169

2016

2015

Carrying 
amount 
£m

Fair 
value 
£m

Carrying 
amount 
£m

Fair 
value 
£m

Notes

6
296
345
(102)
(326)

204
(212)

6
296
345
(102)
(326)

204
(212)

12
13
13
19

13
13

6
234
107
(72)
(264)

105
(130)

6
234
107
(72)
(264)

105
(130)

18

(4,425)

(4,805)

(3,775)

(4,050)

16
18

2,769
–

2,769
–

2,537
(237)

2,537
(241)

1.  Represents US deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities.
2.  US$500m of the US$800m 3.8% bond, repayable 2024, has been converted to a floating rate bond by utilising interest rate swaps. These derivatives have been designated 
as fair value hedges. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate risk on the bond, and gains and losses on the derivatives are recognised in the income statement. The bond 
has been included in financial instruments not measured at fair value because its carrying value has only been adjusted for the fair value of the interest rate risk on a portion 
of the bond.

All of the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified as level 2 using the fair value hierarchy. There were no transfers 
between levels during the year. 

Financial assets and liabilities in the Group’s Consolidated balance sheet are either held at fair value or their carrying value approximates to fair 
value, with the exception of loans, most of which are held at amortised cost.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016 
 
170

26. Financial risk management

Interest rate risk
The Group’s objective is to manage its exposure to interest rate fluctuations on borrowings through varying the proportion of fixed rate debt 
relative to floating rate debt with derivative instruments, including interest rate and cross-currency swaps. 

The Group’s interest rate management policy is that a minimum of 50% (2015 50%) and a maximum of 90% (2015 90%) of gross debt is 
maintained at fixed interest rates. At 31 December 2016, the Group had 81% (2015 83%) of fixed rate debt and 19% (2015 17%) of floating 
rate debt based on a gross debt of £4.3bn, including debt-related derivative financial assets (2015 £4.0bn).

Based on contracted maturities and/or repricing dates, the following amounts are exposed to interest rate risk over the future as shown below: 

Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and overdrafts

Less than  
one year 
£m
2,769
(811)

Between one  
and two years 
£m
–
(811)

More than  
two years 
£m
–
–

The floating rate debt has been predominantly achieved by entering into interest rate swaps which swap the fixed rate US dollar interest payable 
on debt into either floating rate sterling or US dollars. At the end of 2016, the Group had a total of $1.0bn (2015 $1.0bn) of this type of swap 
outstanding with a weighted average duration of 2.6 years (2015 3.6 years). In respect of the fixed rate debt, the weighted average period in 
respect of which interest is fixed was 11.6 years (2015 11.5 years).

Given the level of short-term interest rates during the year, the average cost of the floating rate debt was 4.1% (2015 3.5%) on US dollars. 
The cost of the fixed rate debt was 4.8% (2015 4.9%). 

A change of 100 basis points in short-term rates applied to the average fixed/floating mix and level of borrowings would vary the interest cost 
to the Group by £8m (2015 £7m). 

In respect of cash deposits, given the fluctuation in the Group’s working capital requirements, cash is generally invested for short-term periods 
based at floating interest rates. A change of 100 basis points in the average interest rates during the year applied to the average cash deposits 
would vary the interest receivable by £14m (2015 £7m).

Liquidity risk
Contractual cash flows on financial liabilities
The contracted cash flows on loans and overdrafts, and derivative financial instruments at the reporting date are shown below, classified by 
maturity. The cash flows are shown on a gross basis, are not discounted and include estimated interest payments where applicable.

31 December 2016

Contracted cash flow

Less  
than 
one  
year 
£m
(217)

Between 
one and 
five  
years 
£m
(2,354)

More 
than 
five  
years 
£m
(4,055)

Carrying 
amount 
£m
(4,425)

Total 
£m
(6,626)

Carrying 
amount 
£m
(4,012)

31 December 2015

Contracted cash flow

Less  
than 
one  
year 
£m
(431)

Between 
one and 
five 
years 
£m
(1,698)

More  
than 
five  
years 
£m
(3,939)

Loans and overdrafts

(Sale)/purchase contracts:

US dollar
Euro
Sterling
Other

Cash flow hedges – foreign 

exchange contracts
Purchase/(sale) contracts: 

US dollar
Euro
Sterling
Other
Interest rate contracts

Other foreign exchange/interest 

rate contracts

Debt-related derivative financial 

instruments

Other financial assets and liabilities

118

114
235

(396)
466
(333)
255

23
225
(307)
58

30
18
(55)
7

(343)
709
(695)
320

(299)
814
(555)
35

(217)
238
(89)
55

3

(8)

(1)

1,809
620
(2,624)
195
7

7

10
9

–
–
–
–
106

106

29
134

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

147
147

(9)

(96)

(5)

(13)

1,809
620
(2,624)
195
113

113

186
290

2,133
441
(2,672)
98
3

3

6
4

53

53
10

(4)
–
4
–
(1)

(1)

11
(3)

Total 
£m
(6,068)

(466)
1,079
(721)
90

(18)

2,129
441
(2,668)
98
2

2

72
56

50
27
(77)
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

55
55

Contractual cash flows in respect of all other financial liabilities are equal to the balance sheet carrying amount. Current contractual amounts 
relating to other financial liabilities, such as trade payables, are settled within the normal operating cycle of the business.

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016171

26. Financial risk management continued

Borrowing facilities
The Group’s objective is to maintain adequate undrawn committed borrowing facilities. 

At 31 December 2016, the Group had a committed Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) of £2bn (2015 £2bn). The RCF is contracted until 2018 at 
£2bn and from 2018 to 2020 at £1.9bn. The RCF was undrawn throughout the year. The RCF also acts as a back stop to Commercial Paper 
issued by the Group. At 31 December 2016, the Group had no Commercial Paper in issue (2015 £nil).

Cash management
Cash flow forecasting is performed by the businesses on a monthly basis. The Group monitors a rolling forecast of its liquidity requirements 
to ensure that there is sufficient cash to meet operational needs and maintain adequate headroom. 

Surplus cash held by the businesses over and above balances required for working capital management is loaned to the Group’s centralised 
treasury department. Surplus cash is invested in instant-access current accounts, short-term deposits and money market funds, choosing 
instruments with appropriate maturities or sufficient liquidity to provide adequate headroom as determined by cash forecasts. 

The Group’s objective is to monitor and control counterparty credit risk and credit limit utilisation. The Group adopts a conservative approach 
to the investment of its surplus cash which is deposited with financial institutions with the strongest credit ratings for short periods. The cash 
and cash equivalents balance at 31 December 2016 of £2,769m (2015 £2,537m) was invested with 33 (2015 35) financial institutions. A credit 
limit is allocated to each institution taking account of its market capitalisation, credit rating and credit default swap price. 

The cash and cash equivalents of the Group are invested in non-speculative financial instruments which are usually highly liquid, such as 
short-term deposits. The Group, therefore, believes it has reduced its exposure to counterparty credit risk through this process. 

Currency risk
The Group’s objective is to reduce its exposure to transactional volatility in earnings and cash flows from movements in foreign currency 
exchange rates, mainly the US dollar, euro, Saudi riyal and Australian dollar.

The Group is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates in respect of foreign currency denominated transactions. All material 
firm transactional exposures are hedged and the Group aims, where possible, to apply hedge accounting to these transactions.

The Group is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates in respect of the translation of net assets and income statements of 
foreign subsidiaries and equity accounted investments. The Group does not hedge the translation effect of exchange rate movements on the 
income statements or balance sheets of foreign subsidiaries and equity accounted investments it regards as long-term investments.

The estimated impact on foreign exchange gains and losses in net finance costs of a ten cent movement in the closing US dollar exchange rate 
on the retranslation of US dollar-denominated bonds held by BAE Systems plc is approximately £59m (2015 £58m).

Credit risk 
The Group has material receivables due from the UK, US and Saudi Arabian governments where credit risk is not considered an issue. For the 
remaining trade receivables, a provision for bad debts has been calculated taking into account individual assessments based on past credit history 
and prior knowledge of debtor insolvency or other credit risk, and no one counterparty constitutes more than 11% of the balance (2015 12%).

The ageing of trade receivables is detailed below:

Not past due and not impaired
Up to 180 days overdue and not impaired
Past 180 days overdue and not impaired
Past 180 days overdue and impaired

1.  Restated.

Movements on the provision for bad debts are as follows:

At 1 January
Created
Utilised
Released
Foreign exchange adjustments
At 31 December

1.  Restated.

2016

Provision 
£m
–
–
–
(40)
(40)

Gross 
£m
850
466
76
85
1,477

Net 
£m
850
466
76
45
1,437

20151

Provision 
£m
–
–
–
(34)
(34)

Gross 
£m
807
376
59
76
1,318

2016 
£m
34
15
(2)
(13)
6
40

Net 
£m
807
376
59
42
1,284

20151
£m
28
17
(3)
(9)
1
34

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016172

27. Share-based payments

The Group has granted equity-settled share options and Long-Term Incentive Plan arrangements which are measured at fair value at the date 
of grant using an option pricing model. The fair value is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate 
of the number of shares that will actually vest.

Details of the terms and conditions of each share-based payment plan are given in the Annual remuneration report on pages 84 to 98. 

Expense in year

Executive Share Option Plan 
Performance Share Plan
Restricted Share Plan 

2016 
£m
6 
11 
5 
22

2015 
£m
6
6
4
16

The Group also incurred a charge of £33m (2015 £28m) in respect of the equity-settled all-employee Free Shares and Matching Partnership Shares 
elements of the Share Incentive Plan.

Executive Share Option Plan

2016

2015

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Expired during the year
Outstanding at the end of the year
Exercisable at the end of the year

Range of exercise price of outstanding options (£)
Weighted average remaining contracted life (years)
Weighted average fair value of options granted (£)

Number of 
 shares 
’000
32,165 
10,981 
(6,255)
(2,576)
34,315 
5,961 

Weighted 
average 
 exercise 
price 
£
4.26
5.02
3.81
4.28
4.59
3.56

Number of 
 shares 
’000
35,594
9,349
(9,838)
(2,940)
32,165
4,307

Weighted 
average 
 exercise 
price 
£
3.70
5.25
3.38
3.52
4.26
3.30

2016
3.01 – 5.56
8
0.65

2015
3.01 – 5.43
8
0.76

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016173

27. Share-based payments continued

Performance Share Plan, Share Matching Plan and Restricted Share Plan 

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Expired during the year
Outstanding at the end of the year
Exercisable at the end of the year

Weighted average remaining contracted life (years)
Weighted average fair value of awards granted (£)

Performance Share Plan

Share Matching Plan

Restricted Share Plan

2016 
Number of 
 shares 
’000
19,662 
8,638 
(361)
(4,947)
22,992 
81 

2016
5
4.09

2015 
Number of 
shares 
’000
18,868
7,167
(335)
(6,038)
19,662
204

2015
5
4.49

2016 
Number of 
 shares 
’000
2,252 
– 
– 
(2,252)
–
– 

2016
–
–

2015 
Number of 
shares 
’000
5,618
–
–
(3,366)
2,252
–

2015
–
–

2016 
Number of 
 shares 
’000
2,847 
1,393 
(699)
(213)
3,328 
– 

2015 
Number of 
shares 
’000
3,760
1,218
(1,876)
(255)
2,847
–

2016
5 
5.01

2015
5
5.12

The exercise price for the Performance Share Plan and Restricted Share Plan is £nil (2015 £nil).

Details of options/awards granted in the year
The fair value of equity-settled options/awards granted in the year has been measured using the weighted average inputs below and the following 
valuation models: 

Executive Share Option Plan – Binomial
Performance Share Plan – Monte Carlo
Restricted Share Plan – Dividend valuation

Range of share price at date of grant (£)
Expected option/award life (years)
Volatility (%)
Risk free interest rate (%)

2016

2015
4.99 – 5.56 4.38 – 5.43
3 – 10
20 – 21
0.5 – 0.9

3 – 10
20
0.1 – 0.4

Volatility was calculated with reference to the Group’s weekly share price volatility, after allowing for dividends and stock splits, for the greater of 
30 weeks or for the period until vest date.

The average share price in the year was £5.24 (2015 £4.87).

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016174

28. Related party transactions

The Group has a related party relationship with its directors and key management personnel (see below), equity accounted investments (note 11) 
and pension schemes (note 20).

Transactions occur with the equity accounted investments in the normal course of business, are priced on an arm’s-length basis and settled on 
normal trade terms. The more significant transactions are disclosed below: 

Related party
Advanced Electronics Company Limited
CTA International SAS
Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH
FADEC International LLC
Gripen International KB
MBDA SAS2
Panavia Aircraft GmbH

Sales to  
related party

Purchases from  
related party

Amounts owed by 
related party

Amounts owed to 
related party1

Management 
recharges1

2016 
£m
27
6
997
79
–
24
64
1,197

2015 
£m
22
15
1,417
72
–
23
53
1,602

2016 
£m
95
–
3
–
–
199
79
376

2015 
£m
46
–
–
–
–
286
47
379

2016 
£m
–
4
41
–
18
2
4
69

2015 
£m
–
11
37
–
19
6
2
75

2016 
£m
–
–
126
–
16
608
–
750

2015 
£m
–
–
65
–
14
367
–
446

2016 
£m
–
–
–
–
–
16
–
16

2015 
£m
–
–
–
–
–
17
–
17

1.  Also relates to disclosures under IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures, for the parent company, BAE Systems plc. At 31 December 2016, £631m (2015 £405m) was owed 

by BAE Systems plc and £119m (2015 £41m) by other Group subsidiaries.

2.  Amounts owed to related party excludes £285m (2015 £217m) included within amounts due to long-term contract customers.

The Group considers key management personnel as defined under IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures, to be the members of the Group’s Executive 
Committee and the Company’s non-executive directors. Fuller disclosures on directors’ remuneration are set out in the Annual remuneration 
report on pages 84 to 98. Total emoluments for directors and key management personnel charged to the Consolidated income statement were: 

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

2016 
£’000

2015 
£’000
19,389 14,831
2,021
4,144
27,064 20,996

1,931
5,744

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016175

29. Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities are potential future cash outflows which are either not probable or cannot be measured reliably.

The Group has entered into a number of guarantee and performance bond arrangements in the normal course of business and regards 
these as insurance contracts. Various Group undertakings are parties to legal actions and claims which arise in the normal course of business. 
Provision is made for any amounts that the directors consider may become payable (see note 21).

The Group has no individually significant contingent liabilities. 

30. Commitments

Operating lease commitments
The Group leases various offices, factories and shipyards under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. The leases have varying terms, 
including escalation clauses, renewal rights and purchase options. None of these terms represent unusual arrangements or create material 
onerous or beneficial rights or obligations.

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases and associated future minimum sublease income are 
as follows:

Payments due:

Not later than one year
Later than one year and not later than five years
Later than five years

Total of future minimum sublease income under non-cancellable subleases 

Capital commitments
Capital expenditure contracted for but not provided for in the accounts is as follows:

Property, plant and equipment1
Intangible assets

1. 

Includes £158m (2015 £99m) at Barrow-in-Furness, UK, relating to the Dreadnought submarine programme funded by the UK government.

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

255
699
802
1,756

222
710
779
1,711

115

139

2016 
£m
429
19
448

2015 
£m
264
8
272

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016176

31. Information about related undertakings

In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of subsidiaries and equity accounted investments as at 31 December 2016 
is disclosed below. Unless otherwise stated, the Group’s shareholding represents ordinary shares held indirectly by BAE Systems plc, the year end 
is 31 December and the address of the registered office is Warwick House, PO Box 87, Farnborough Aerospace Centre, Farnborough, Hampshire 
GU14 6YU, United Kingdom. No subsidiary undertakings have been excluded from the consolidation.

Subsidiaries – wholly-owned
4219 Lafayette, LLC22
4219-120 Lafayette Center Drive, Chantilly VA 20151, 
United States

Aerosystems International Limited
Lupin Way, Alvington, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8UZ,  
United Kingdom

Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding, LLC22
PO Box 3202, Main Gate, Dunlap Drive,  
Mobile AL 36652, United States

Alvis Pension Scheme Trustees Limited

Alvis Limited

Alvis Vickers Limited
Armor Holdings Inc.6
2000 North 15th Street, 11th Floor, Arlington  
VA 22201, United States

Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Limited1
Atlantic-Alabama Holding Company, LLC22
PO Box 3202, Main Gate, Dunlap Drive,  
Mobile AL 36652, United States

Australian Marine Engineering Corporation 
(Finance) Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

Avro International Aerospace Limited1
BAE Systems (Aberdeen) Limited13,16
Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2EG, 
United Kingdom

BAE Systems (Al Diriyah C4i) Limited1
BAE Systems (Aviation Services) Limited
BAE Systems (Bristol House) Limited1,11,16
15 Canada Square, London E14 5GL, United Kingdom

BAE Systems (Canada) Inc.
220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1200, Ottawa ON K1P 5Z9, 
Canada

BAE Systems (Combat and Radar Systems) Limited
PO Box 727, St. Paul’s Gate, New Street, St. Helier JE4 8ZB, Jersey

BAE Systems (Consultancy Services) Limited

BAE Systems (Corporate Air Travel) Limited 
BAE Systems (CS&SI – Qatar) Limited1
BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Limited

BAE Systems (Dynamics) Limited

BAE Systems (Farnborough 1) Limited

BAE Systems (Farnborough 2) Limited

BAE Systems (Farnborough 3) Limited 

BAE Systems (Finance) Limited 

BAE Systems (Funding Three) Limited

BAE Systems (Funding Two) Limited

BAE Systems (Gripen Overseas) Limited 

BAE Systems (Hawk Synthetic Training) Limited
BAE Systems (Holdings) Limited1
BAE Systems (Insurance) Limited 

BAE Systems (International) Limited 

BAE Systems (Kazakhstan) Limited 
BAE Systems (Land and Sea Systems) Limited11
BAE Systems (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
16th Floor, Wisma Sime Darby, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

BAE Systems (MEH) Limited

BAE Systems (Military Air) Overseas Limited
BAE Systems (Moose Jaw) Inc.1,5
LeBlanc Nichols, The Chambers, 1000-300 Terry Fox Drive, 
Ottawa ON K2K 0E3, Canada

BAE Systems (Nominees) Limited1

BAE Systems (Oman) Limited
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited10 
BAE Systems (Operations) Singapore Pte Limited
One Marina Boulevard #28-00, Singapore 018989, Singapore

BAE Systems (Overseas Holdings) Limited 

BAE Systems (Poland) Sp. z o.o.
ul. Abp. A. Baraniaka 88, 61-131 Poznan, Poland

BAE Systems (Projects) Limited 

BAE Systems (Property Investments) Limited 
BAE Systems (Sweden) AB17
c/o Advokatfirman DLA Nordic KB, Box 7315, SE-103 90 
Stockholm, Sweden

BAE Systems (Vehicles and Equipment) Limited
BAE Systems 2000 Pension Plan Trustees Limited1
BAE Systems AB13
Box 5676, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden

BAE Systems Al Diriyah Programme Limited1
BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Asia Pacific) 
Pte Limited
United Square, 101 Thomson Road, #25-03/04, 307591, 
Singapore

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Australia) Pty Limited
Level 12, 16-20 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Belgium) NV
Geldenaaksebaan 329, B-3001, Heverlee, Leuven, Belgium

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Canada Inc.
1959 Upper Water Street, Suite 900, Halifax NS B3J 2X2, 
Canada

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Connect) A/S
Bouet Mollevej 3-5, 9400 Norresundby, Denmark

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Inc.5
5th Floor, Suite 1920, 256 Franklin Street, Boston MA 02110, 
United States

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence GCS Inc.6
1676 International Drive, 10th Floor, Suite 1000,  
McLean VA 22102, United States

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (GCS) Limited
Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YP, 
United Kingdom

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Germany) GmbH
Mainzer Landstrasse 50, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Integration) Limited
Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YP, 
United Kingdom

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (International) Limited
Priestley Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford,  
Surrey GU2 7YP, United Kingdom

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Ireland) Limited
Level 5, Block 4, Dundrum Town Centre, Sandyford Road, 
Dundrum, Dublin 16, D16 A4W6, Ireland

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Japan) KK
Ark Mori Building, Regus Serviced Office, Office #103, Akasaka, 
Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 107-6012

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Luxembourg) SARL
1 Boulevard de la Foire, L-1528 Luxembourg, Luxembourg

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Spain) S.A.
Paseo de la Castellana, 141, Cuzco IV, 28046 Madrid, Spain

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (UK) Limited

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence A/S
Bouet Mollevej 3, 9400 Norresundby, Denmark

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence France SAS
112 Avenue Kleber, 75016, Paris, France

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Limited
Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YP, 
United Kingdom

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence LLC22
8200 Greensboro Drive, 9th Floor, McLean VA 22102, 
United States

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Malaysia Sdn Bhd
16th Floor, Wisma Sime Darby, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence New Zealand Limited
c/o Russell McVeagh, Vero Centre, 48 Shortland Street, 
Auckland Central, 1140, New Zealand

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Pty Limited
Level 12, 16-20 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence US Corp6
440 Wheelers Farms Road, Suite 202, Milford CT 06461, 
United States

BAE Systems Australia Datagate Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Australia Defence Holdings Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Australia Defence Pty Limited14
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Australia (Electronic Systems) Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Australia (NSW) Holdings Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Australia (NSW) Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Australia (Singapore) Pte Limited20
60 Paya Lebar Road, #08-43 Paya Lebar Square, 409051, 
Singapore

BAE Systems Australia Holdings Limited1
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Australia Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Australia Logistics Pty Limited10
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Australia Sea Sentinel Project Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Avionics Singapore Pte Limited
One Marina Boulevard, #28-00, Singapore 018989, Singapore

BAE Systems Bofors AB
SE-691 80 Karlskoga, Sweden

BAE Systems Bofors Holdings Sdn Bhd
Level 21, Suite 21.01, The Gardens South Tower, Mid Valley City, 
Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

BAE Systems China (Exports) Limited 

BAE Systems C-ITS AB
Box 5676, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden

BAE Systems Command and Control Limited10,16
15 Canada Square, London E14 5GL, United Kingdom

BAE Systems Communications Limited1
BAE Systems Communications Solutions, LLC22
Knowledge Oasis, Building 4, Second Floor, 0402-Z427, 
Knowledge Oasis Muscat, PO Box 16, Postal Code 135, 
Muscat, Oman

BAE Systems Controls Inc.5
1098 Clark Street, Endicott NY 13760, United States

BAE Systems Creole Inc.7
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

BAE Systems Datagate Limited

BAE Systems Datagate Holdings Limited
BAE Systems Defence Limited1
BAE Systems Deployed Systems Limited2

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016177

31. Information about related undertakings continued

Subsidiaries – wholly-owned continued
BAE Systems Display Technologies Limited

BAE Systems do Brasil Ltda
SCN Quadra 5 Bloco A, Ed. Brasilia Shopping, Torre Norte, 
Sala 426, Brasilia, DF CEP:70715-900, Brazil

BAE Systems Electronic Systems (Overseas) Limited

BAE Systems Electronics Limited 

BAE Systems Enterprises Limited 
BAE Systems Executive Pension Scheme Trustees Limited1
BAE Systems Finance (Ireland) Unlimited Company23
Level 5, Block 4, Dundrum Town Centre, Sandyford Road, 
Dundrum, Dublin 16, D16 A4W6, Ireland

BAE Systems Finance B.V.
c/o SGG Netherlands N.V., Hoogoorddreef 15,  
1101 BA Amsterdam, Netherlands

BAE Systems Finance Inc.6
1101 Wilson Blvd, Ste 2000, Arlington VA 22209, United States

BAE Systems Flight Training (Australia) Pty Limited10
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

BAE Systems Funds Management1,23
BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Bridging Limited

BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Limited

BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Munitions Limited
BAE Systems Global Mobility LLC22
1300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA 22209, United States

BAE Systems Global Tactical Systems LLC22
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

BAE Systems Hägglunds AB
SE-691 80, Karlskoga, Sweden

BAE Systems Hawaii Shipyards Inc.6
3049 Ualena Street, Suite 915, Honolulu HI 96819, United States

BAE Systems Holdings (South Africa) (Pty) Limited
Central Office Park No. 5, 257 Jean Avenue, Centurion, 
Gauteng, 0157, South Africa

BAE Systems Holdings B.V.
c/o SGG Netherlands N.V., Hoogoorddreef 15,  
1101 BA Amsterdam, Netherlands

BAE Systems Holding GmbH17
Hauptstrasse 48, 82433 Bad Kohlgrub, Germany

BAE Systems Holdings Inc.5
1101 Wilson Blvd, Ste 2000, Arlington VA 22209, United States

BAE Systems Holdings International LLC22
1101 Wilson Blvd, Ste 2000, Arlington VA 22209, United States

BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.5
1841 Zanker Road, Suite 50, San Jose CA 95112, United States

BAE Systems, Inc.6
1101 Wilson Blvd, Ste 2000, Arlington VA 22209, United States

BAE Systems India (Services) Private Limited18
2nd Floor, Hotel Le-Meridien Commercial Tower, Raisina Road, 
New Delhi 110001, India

BAE Systems India (Homeland Security) Private Limited18
2nd Floor, Hotel Le-Meridien Commercial Tower, Raisina Road, 
New Delhi 110001, India

BAE Systems India (Technology) Private Limited18
2nd Floor, Hotel Le-Meridien Commercial Tower, Raisina Road, 
New Delhi 110001, India

BAE Systems India (Ventures) Private Limited18
2nd Floor, Hotel Le-Meridien Commercial Tower, Raisina Road, 
New Delhi 110001, India

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems 
Integration Inc.6
65 Spit Brook Road, Nashua NH 03061, United States

BAE Systems Insurance (Isle of Man) Limited
Tower House, Loch Promenade, Douglas, IM1 2LZ,  
Isle of Man, United Kingdom

BAE Systems Insyte Limited16
15 Canada Square, London E14 5GL, United Kingdom

BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies 
(KSA) Limited

BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies 
(Overseas) Limited

BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies GmbH
Hans-Stießberger-Str. 2b, 85540 Haar, Germany

BAE Systems RO Defense Inc.6
1801 Electronics Drive, Anniston AL 36207, United States

BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies Limited
BAE Systems International Inc.5
1101 Wilson Blvd, Ste 2000, Arlington VA 22209, United States

BAE Systems Land & Armaments Holdings Inc.6
2000 North 15th Street, 11th Floor, Arlington VA 22201, 
United States

BAE Systems Land & Armaments Inc.6
2000 North 15th Street, 11th Floor, Arlington VA 22201, 
United States

BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P.22
2000 North 15th Street, 11th Floor, Arlington VA 22201, 
United States

BAE Systems Land Systems ATF Limited

BAE Systems Land Systems (Finance) Limited
BAE Systems Land Systems FMTV International Inc.7
1101 Wilson Blvd, Ste 2000, Arlington VA 22209, United States

BAE Systems Land Systems (Investments AVG) Limited16
15 Canada Square, London E14 5GL, United Kingdom

BAE Systems Land Systems (Investments South Africa) 
Limited

BAE Systems Land Systems (Investments) Limited

BAE Systems Land Systems (Logistics) Limited

BAE Systems Land Systems Pinzgauer Limited

BAE Systems Land Systems Pinzgauer (Holdings) Limited

BAE Systems Land Systems (Ranges) Limited

BAE Systems Land Systems (Singapore Investments) 
Limited

BAE Systems Logistica Ltda
SCN Quadra 5 Bloco A, Ed. Brasilia Shopping, Torre Norte, 
Sala 426, Brasilia, DF CEP:70715-900, Brazil

BAE Systems MAI Turkey Hava Sistemleri A.S¸
Kizilimak Mahallesi, 1445. Sok No: 2, The Paragon B Blok K: 23, 
iç Kapi No: 113 Çukurambar, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey

BAE Systems Marine (Holdings) Limited 

BAE Systems Marine (YSL) Limited

BAE Systems Marine Limited 
BAE Systems Maritime Engineering & Services Inc.6
7330 Engineer Road, Suite A, San Diego CA 92111, United States

BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair Inc.6
750 West Berkley Avenue, Norfolk VA 23523, United States

BAE Systems Oman LLC22
PO Box 74, Postal Code 111, Seeb, Oman

BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc.6
4509 West Stone Drive, Kingsport TN 37660-9982, 
United States

BAE Systems Overseas Inc.6
1101 Wilson Blvd, Ste 2000, Arlington VA 22209, United States

BAE Systems PAMCO Services International Inc.7
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

BAE Systems Pension Funds CIF Trustees Limited1
BAE Systems Pension Funds Investment 
Management Limited1,19
BAE Systems Pension Funds Trustees Limited1 
BAE Systems Project Services Limited

BAE Systems Projects (Canada) Limited 

BAE Systems Properties Limited 
BAE Systems Protection Systems Inc.7
7822 South 46th Street, Phoenix AZ 85044, United States

BAE Systems Quest Limited1 
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft (Japan) KK6
Minami Azabu T&F Building 8th Floor,  
4-11-22 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft Colombia SAS
c/o Brigard & Urrutia, Calle 70 A No. 4-41, Bogota, Colombia

BAE Systems Resolution Inc.7
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

BAE Systems Rokar International Limited
PO Box 45059, 11 Hartom Street, Mount Hotzvim, 
91450 Jerusalem, Israel

BAE Systems S&S Holdings Inc.7
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

BAE Systems S&S Operations Inc.6
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair Inc.6
2205 East Belt Street, Foot of Sampson Street, San Diego 
CA 92113, United States

BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair Inc.6
Foot of 20th Street at Illinois Street, San Francisco 
CA 94107-7644, United States

BAE Systems Saudi Limited
PO Box 1732, Riyadh 11441, Saudi Arabia

BAE Systems Saudi Arabia (Maintenance 
and Equipment Services) Limited
PO Box 1732, Riyadh 11441, Saudi Arabia

BAE Systems Saudi Arabia (Vehicles and 
Equipment Holdings) Limited1
BAE Systems Saudi Arabia (Vehicles and 
Equipment Nominees) Limited1
BAE Systems Serviços de Aviônicos Ltda.
Rua Boa Vista, No. 254, 13th Floor, Suite 15, Centro, São Paulo, 
São Paulo 01014-907, Brazil

BAE Systems Shared Services Inc.6
11215 Rushmore Drive, Charlotte NC 28277, United States

BAE Systems Shared Services (Overseas) Limited
BAE Systems Share Plans Trustee Limited1 
BAE Systems Ship Repair Inc.6
750 West Berkley Ave., Norfolk VA 23523, United States

BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Alabama LLC22
PO Box 3202, Main Gate, Dunlap Drive, Mobile AL 36652, 
United States

BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards AMHC Inc.6,22
8500 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville FL 32226, United States

BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Jacksonville LLC22
8500 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville FL 32226, United States

BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Mayport LLC22
8500 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville FL 32226, United States

BAE Systems SSY Alabama Property Holdings LLC22
PO Box 3202, Main Gate, Dunlap Drive, Mobile AL 36652, 
United States

BAE Systems SSY Floating Dry Dock Holdings LLC22
8500 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville FL 32226, United States

BAE Systems SSY Florida Property Holdings LLC22
8500 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville FL 32226, United States

BAE Systems Surface Ships (Holdings) Limited

BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited

BAE Systems Surface Ships (Projects) Limited 

BAE Systems Surface Ships Intermediate Holdings Limited 

BAE Systems Surface Ships Integrated Support Limited 
BAE Systems Surface Ships International Limited13 
BAE Systems Surface Ships Maritime Limited 
BAE Systems Surface Ships Portsmouth Limited13 
BAE Systems Surface Ships Projects (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Level 14, West Block, Wisma Selangor Dredging, 142-C, 
Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

BAE Systems Surface Ships Property Services Limited 
BAE Systems Surface Ships Support Limited10
BAE Systems Surface Ships (Overseas) Limited

BAE Systems SWS Defence AB
SE-691 80 Karlskoga, Sweden

BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems LP22
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016Sepia, LLC22
4219-120 Lafayette Center Drive, Chantilly VA 20151, 
United States

Shipbuilding (MSF) Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

Shipbuilding (VIC) Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

Stephen Howe Systems Limited
Alvington, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8UZ, United Kingdom

Stewart & Stevenson Operations (Nigeria) Limited7
Tapa House (2nd Floor), 45, Imman Dauda St (Abosede Kuboye 
Crescent Entrance), Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria

Stewart & Stevenson TVS UK Limited

Stratsec.net Sdn Bhd
Unit F-3-1, Blok F, Third Floor, CBD Perdana 3, Jalan Perdana, 
Cyber 12, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Support Solutions General Services and Contracting 
Company/Limited Liability company17,22
House No. 145, Street No. 1, Qtr. 611, Al Andulous Area, 
Al Mansour, Baghdad, Iraq

TDS International Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

TDS International Holdings Pty Limited8
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

Tenix Philippines Inc.17,20
1605 Tower One, Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati City, 
1226, Philippines

The Blackburn Aeroplane & Motor Co Limited1
The Bristol Aviation Company Limited1
The British & Colonial Aeroplane Co. Limited1
The Leeds Partnership Limited10
The Supermarine Aviation Works Limited1,11
Thomas Sopwith Aviation Company Limited1
VSEL Birkenhead Limited 

Warship Design Services Limited 
Westover Controls Incorporated6
1098 Clark Street, Endicott NY 13760, United States

178

31. Information about related undertakings continued

Subsidiaries – wholly-owned continued
BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc.6
520 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, United States

BAE Systems Training Services Limited
BAE Systems TVS Holdings Inc.6
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

BAE Systems TVS Holdings LLC22
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

BAE Systems TVS Inc.7
3701 Outlet Ctr. Drive, Suite 15, Sealy TX 77474-4904, 
United States

BAE Systems Zephyr Corporation5
c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 
1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 
DE 19801, United States

BAE Systems Zephyr Fifth Corporation5
c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 
1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 
DE 19801, United States

BAE Systems Zephyr Fourth Corporation5
c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 
1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 
DE 19801, United States

BAE Systems Zephyr Second Corporation5
c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 
1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 
DE 19801, United States

BAE Systems Zephyr Third Corporation5
c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 
1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 
DE 19801, United States

Brabazon Limited 
British Aerospace (Far East) Limited21
Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong

British Aerospace (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd21
Unit 30-01, Level 30, Tower A, Vertical Business Suite, 
Avenue 3, Bangsar South, No.8, Jalan Kerinchi,  
59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

British Aircraft Corporation (Pension Fund Trustees) 
Limited1
British Aircraft Corporation Limited1
Buckfield Properties Limited
Cashhold Limited1,10
CPS International, Inc.7
c/o Benedetti & Benedetti, Comosa Building, 21st Floor, 
Ave. Samuel Lewis, PO Box 850120, Panama 5, Panama

Creole (Nigeria) Limited10
Tapa House (2nd Floor), 45, Imman Dauda St (Abosede Kuboye 
Crescent Entrance) Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria

Detica B.V.
Luna ArenA, Herikerbergweg 238, 1101 CM Amsterdam, 
Netherlands

Detica Group Holdings (Ireland) Limited
Level 5, Block 4, Dundrum Town Centre, Sandyford Road, 
Dundrum, Dublin 16, D16 A4W6, Ireland

Detica Group Limited
Detica Ireland Limited13
Level 5, Block 4, Dundrum Town Centre, Sandyford Road, 
Dundrum, Dublin 16, D16 A4W6, Ireland

Detica Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.
Torre Esmeralda II, Blvd Manuel Avila Camacho No. 36  
Piso 18, Lomas de Chapultepec, 11000 D.F., Mexico

Detica Patent Limited
Level 5, Block 4, Dundrum Town Centre, Sandyford Road, 
Dundrum, Dublin 16, D16 A4W6, Ireland

Detica Services, Inc.
8200 Greensboro Drive, 9th Floor, McLean VA 22102, 
United States

ETI Engineering, Inc.6
1676 International Drive, 10th Floor, Suite 1000,  
McLean VA 22102, United States

Gloster Aircraft Limited1
Granada Enterprises Limited
PO Box 1732, Riyadh 11441, Saudi Arabia

Hadrian Trustees Limited1,18
2nd floor, Viables 3, Viables Business Park, Jays Close, 
Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 4BS, United Kingdom

Hadrian Holdings, Inc.18
521 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 101075, United States

Hägglunds Vehicle GmbH
Ernst-Grote Strasse 13, 30916 Isernhagen, Germany 

Hawker Siddeley Aviation Limited1
Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Limited1 
H-B Utveckling, H-B Development AB
Nybrogatan 7, SE-114 34 Stockholm, Sweden

Hertfordshire Estates Limited10
HSA/HSD Pension Fund Trustees Limited1 
Hunter Aerospace Corporation Pty Limited
Evans Building, Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh 
SA 5111, Australia

International Military Sales Limited
Jetstream Aircraft Limited1
Prestwick International Airport, Prestwick, Ayrshire KA9 2RW, 
United Kingdom

Kalamind Limited

Land Services Arabia Ltd.
Business Gate Building 7, Floor 1, Riyadh 11482, Saudi Arabia

Lemacrown Limited12
MES Holdco Limited
PO Box 727, St. Paul’s Gate, New Street, St. Helier JE4 8ZB, Jersey

MES Interco23
Meslink Limited

Muiden Chemie International B.V.
c/o SGG Netherlands N.V., Hoogoorddreef 15,  
1101 BA Amsterdam, Netherlands

Newcombe Properties Limited 

PAMCO Servicios Internationales de Mexico,  
S. de R.L. de C.V.7
c/o Gonzalez Calvillo y Forastieri, S.C.,  
Centro Empresarial Lomas, Monte Peloux No. 111, Piso 5, 
Lomas de Chapultepec, 11000 D.F., Mexico

Piper Group plc 

Pitch Technologies AB
Repslagaregatan 25, SE-582 22 Linköping, Sweden

Pitch Technologies Limited
Sweden House, 5 Upper Montagu Street, London W1H 2AG, 
United Kingdom

Port Solent Limited 

Port Solent Marina Limited
PT. BAE Systems Services6
Wisma 46, Kota BNI, 34th Floor, Suite 34.01.A,  
Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kavling 71, Jakarta 10220, Indonesia

Reflectone UK Limited16
15 Canada Square, London E14 5GL, United Kingdom

Representaciones SSTS, CA7
Ave Francisco de Miranda, Centro Lido El Rosal Oficina 71B, 
Caracas, Venezuela

Royal Ordnance B.V.
c/o SGG Netherlands N.V., Hoogoorddreef 15,  
1101 BA Amsterdam, Netherlands

Royal Ordnance (Crown Service) Pension Scheme 
Trustees Limited 
Royal Ordnance Maschinen und Anlagenbau Gmbh17
Heckler & Koch Straße 1, D-78727 Oberndorf a.N, Germany

Royal Ordnance Senior Staff Pension Scheme 
Trustees Limited
Royal Ordnance Speciality Metals Limited1
RWT Limited1
Salford Electrical Instruments Limited 

Scentcivil Limited
Scottish Aviation Limited1
Prestwick International Airport, Prestwick, Ayrshire KA9 2RW, 
United Kingdom

Notes to the Group accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016179

Notes
1.  Directly owned by BAE Systems plc.
2.  40% owned by BAE Systems plc.
3.  1% owned by BAE Systems plc.
4.  33.3% owned by BAE Systems plc.
5.  Ownership held in common stock.
6.  Ownership held in common shares.
7.  Ownership held in authorized shares.
8.  Ownership held in class of A shares.
9.  Ownership held in class of B shares.
10. Ownership held in class of A shares and B shares.
11.   Ownership held in class of A shares, B shares 

and preference shares.

12.  Ownership held in ordinary shares and class 

of A shares.

13.  Ownership held in ordinary shares and 

preference shares.

14.  Ownership held in ordinary shares and 

redeemable preference shares.

15.  Ownership held in common shares and 

B Preferred shares.

16. In members’ voluntary liquidation.
17.  In liquidation.
18. Year end 31 March.
19. Year end 5 April.
20. Year end 30 June.
21. Year end 30 September.
22.  Unincorporated entity for which the address 

given is the principal place of business.

23. Unlimited company.
24.  For companies incorporated outside of the 

United Kingdom, the country of incorporation 
is shown in the address.

31. Information about related undertakings continued

Subsidiaries – not wholly-owned
Aircraft Accessories & Components Co Limited (85.7%)
PO Box 13532, Jeddah 21434, Saudi Arabia

Aircraft Research Association Limited (87.1%)1
Manton Lane, Bedford MK41 7PF, United Kingdom

ARA Pension Fund Trustees Limited (87.1%)
Manton Lane, Bedford MK41 7PF, United Kingdom

BAE Systems Saudi Development and Training 
Company Limited (99%)3
PO Box 67775, Riyadh 11517, Saudi Arabia

BAE Systems SDT (UK) Limited (99%)
Flight Control System Management GmbH (66.6%)4
PO Box 801109, 81663 Munich, Germany

Hadrian Properties, Inc. (95%)18
521 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 101075, United States

Hägglunds Foremost Inc. (66.7%)5
1616 Meridian Road N.E., Calgary AB T2A 2PL, Canada

International Systems Engineering Company Limited 
(90.6%)
PO Box 54002, Riyadh 11514, Saudi Arabia

Overhaul and Maintenance Company Limited (95.9%)
PO Box 1732, Riyadh 11441, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Maintenance & Supply Chain Management 
Company Limited (51%)
PO Box 1732, Riyadh 11441, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Technology & Logistics Services Limited (65%)1
PO Box 1732, Riyadh 11441, Saudi Arabia

SMSCMC (UK) Limited (51%)
U.S. Munitions, LLC (51%)22
1713 Burdette Crossing, Blue Springs MO 64015, United States

Equity accounted investments24
Abercromby Property International (21.5%)

Advanced Electronics Company Limited (50%)
PO Box 90916, Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia

Air Astana (49%)5
Zakarpatskaya Str 4A, 050039 Almaty, Kazakhstan

AMSH B.V. (50%)9
Weena 210-212, 3012 NJ Rotterdam, Netherlands

BAeHAL Software Limited (40%)1,18
Airport Lane, HAL Estate, Bangalore 560010, India

BHIC Bofors Defense Asia Sdn Bhd (49%)
Suite B, Menara Maxis, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

BAE (Consultancy Services) Malaysia Sdn Bhd (49%)
Tkt.11, Wisma Damansara, Damansara Heights, 50490 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Canadian Naval Support Limited (50%)15
3099 Barrington Street, Halifax NS B3K 5M7, Canada

CTA International SAS (50%)
13 Route De La Miniere, 78000 Versailles, France

Data Link Solutions L.L.C. (50%)21,22
400 Collins Ave, Cedar Rapids IA 52498, United States

Eurofighter Aircraft Management GmbH (33%)1,17
Am Soldnermoos 17, 85399 Hallbergmoos, Germany

Eurofighter International Limited (33%)1,9,17
Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH (33%)1
Am Soldnermoos 17, 85399 Hallbergmoos, Germany

European Aerosystems Limited (50%)1,8
FADEC International LLC (50%)22
1098 Clark Street, Endicott NY 13760, United States

FAST Holdings Limited (50%)8,18
FAST Training Services Limited (50%)18
FBV Designs Limited (50%)8,18
33 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1QX, United Kingdom

FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.S (49%)8
PK 37, Golbasi 06830, Ankara, Turkey

Gripen International KB (50%)22
SE-581 88 Linköping, Sweden

MBDA Holdings SAS (25%)
1 Avenue Réaumur, 92350 Le Plessis-Robinson, France

Nobeli Business Support AB (34%)
SE-691 80 Karlskoga, Sweden

Nurol BAE Systems Hava Sistemleri Anonim  
S¸ irketi (49%)9
Arjantin Cad. No: 7 06700, Gaziosmanpas¸ a, Ankara, Turkey

Panavia Aircraft GmbH (42.5%)1
Am Soldnermoos 17, 85399 Hallbergmoos, Germany

Patria Hägglunds Oy (50%)
Naulakatu 3, Fl -33100 Tampere, Finland

Reaction Engines Limited (20%)9
Hill House, 1 Little New Street, London EC4A 3TR, 
United Kingdom

Saab-BAe Systems Gripen AB (50%)1
SE-581 88 Linköping, Sweden

Saab Bofors Test Center AB (30%)
SE-691 80 Karlskoga, Sweden

Sandstone Integrated Operations, LLC (20%)22
2016 Mt. Athos Road, Lynchburg VA 24504, United States

Seele-Alvis Fenestration Limited (43.5%)8,20
Unit A33, Jack’s Place, 6 Corbett Place, London E1 6NN, 
United Kingdom

SIKA International Limited (50%)8
Spectrum Technologies Public Limited 
Company (20%)1,18
Western Avenue, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend,  
Mid Glamorgan CF31 3RT, United Kingdom

Tirs Mateen & Co LLC (50%)22
PO Box 3369, Postal Code 111, Seeb, Oman

Winner Developments Limited (33.3%)

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016180

Company statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement:

Remeasurements on retirement benefit schemes

Items that may be reclassified to the income statement:

Amounts (charged)/credited to hedging reserve

Total other comprehensive income for the year (net of tax)
Total comprehensive income for the year

2016
£m
560

(56)

(13)
(69)
491

2015
£m
94

14

7
21
115

Company statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December

At 1 January 2015
Profit for the year
Total other comprehensive income for the year
Share-based payments
Net sale of own shares
Ordinary share dividends
Non-distributable reserve transfer
At 31 December 2015
Profit for the year
Total other comprehensive income for the year
Share-based payments
Net sale of own shares
Ordinary share dividends
At 31 December 2016

1.  The non-distributable portion of retained earnings is £354m (2015 restated £343m).

Issued share 
capital 
£m
87
–
–
–
–
–
–
87
–
–
–
–
–
87

Share 
premium 
£m
1,249
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,249
–
–
–
–
–
1,249

Other 
reserves 
£m
278
–
7
–
–
–
(67)
218
–
(13)
–
–
–
205

Retained
earnings1
£m
2,429
94
14
39
1
(655)
67
1,989
560
(56)
50
3
(670)
1,876

Total 
equity
£m
4,043
94
21
39
1
(655)
–
3,543
560
(69)
50
3
(670)
3,417

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016181

Notes

2016
£m

2015
£m

2

8
4

3

4

5

8
4
7

5
6
4
7

9

34
31
8,149
4
8
385
8,611

3,038
14
347
2,168
5,567
14,178

(1,122)
(33)
(308)
(182)
(97)
(1,742)

–
(8,664)
(332)
(23)
(9,019)
(10,761)
3,417

31
20
8,138
5
6
151
8,351

3,221
14
212
2,061
5,508
13,859

(1,005)
(5)
(259)
(98)
(105)
(1,472)

(237)
(8,430)
(165)
(12)
(8,844)
(10,316)
3,543

87
1,249
205
1,876
3,417

87
1,249
218
1,989
3,543

Company balance sheet
as at 31 December

Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments in subsidiary undertakings and participating interests 
Other receivables
Retirement benefit surpluses
Other financial assets

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Current tax
Other financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
Non-current liabilities
Loans
Other payables
Retirement benefit obligations
Other financial liabilities
Provisions

Current liabilities
Loans and overdrafts
Trade and other payables
Other financial liabilities
Provisions

Total liabilities
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Issued share capital
Share premium 
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Total equity

Approved by the Board on 22 February 2017 and signed on its behalf by:

I G King 
Chief Executive 

P J Lynas 
Group Finance Director 

Registered number: 1470151

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016182

Notes to the Company accounts

The Company intends to continue to prepare its financial statements 
in accordance with FRS 101.

In accordance with Section 408(3) of the Companies Act 2006, the 
Company is exempt from the requirement to present its own income 
statement. The amount of profit for the year of the Company is 
disclosed in the Company statement of comprehensive income.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost 
convention, as modified by the revaluation of relevant financial assets 
and financial liabilities (including derivative instruments).

Significant accounting policies
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of 
these individual financial statements are set out below. These policies 
have been applied consistently to all the years presented, unless 
otherwise stated.

Investments in subsidiary undertakings and participating interests
Fixed asset investments in shares in subsidiary undertakings and 
participating interests are stated at cost less provision for impairment.

Other significant accounting policies
Other significant accounting policies are consistent with the Group 
accounts and the table below references where they are disclosed.

Significant accounting policy

Loans and overdrafts
Retirement benefits
Provisions

Page

153
155
164

1. Preparation

Basis of preparation
These financial statements were prepared in accordance with 
Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 101, Reduced Disclosure Framework. 
Amendments to FRS 101 (2014/15 cycle and other minor amendments), 
issued in July 2015, and Amendments to FRS 101 (2015/16 cycle), issued 
in July 2016, both effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 
2016, have been applied.

In preparing these financial statements, the Company applies the 
recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU (EU-adopted 
IFRS), but makes amendments where necessary in order to comply with 
the Companies Act 2006 and has set out below where advantage of 
the FRS 101 disclosure exemptions has been taken:

– the requirements of paragraphs 45(b) and 46 to 52 of IFRS 2, 

Share-based Payment;

– the requirements of paragraphs 62, B64(d), B64(e), B64(g), B64(h), 
B64(j), to B64(m), B64(n)(ii), B64(o)(ii), B64(p), B64(q)(ii), B66 and 
B67 of IFRS 3, Business Combinations;

– the requirements of paragraph 33(c) of IFRS 5, Non-current Assets 

Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations;

– the requirements of IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures;

– the requirements of paragraphs 91 to 99 of IFRS 13, Fair Value 

Measurement;

– the requirement in paragraph 38 of IAS 1, Presentation of Financial 

Statements, to present comparative information in respect of: 
paragraph 79(a)(iv) of IAS 1; paragraph 73(e) of IAS 16, Property, 
Plant and Equipment; paragraph 118(e) of IAS 38, Intangible Assets; 
and paragraphs 76 and 79(d) of IAS 40, Investment Property;

– the requirements of paragraphs 10(d), 10(f), 16, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 
40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 111 and 134 to 136 of IAS 1, Presentation of 
Financial Statements;

– the requirements of IAS 7, Statement of Cash Flows;

– the requirements of paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8, Accounting 

Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors;

– the requirements of paragraphs 17 and 18A of IAS 24, Related Party 

Disclosures;

– the requirements in IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures, to disclose 
related party transactions entered into between two or more 
members of a group, provided that any subsidiary which is a party 
to the transaction is wholly owned by such a member; and

– the requirements of paragraphs 130(f)(ii), 130(f)(iii), 134(d) to 134(f) 

and 135(c) to 135(e) of IAS 36, Impairment of Assets.

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016183

£m

8,152
11
8,163

14

8,149
8,138

2016
£m

2015
£m

2,954
–
37
47
3,038

3,159
5
45
12
3,221

2016

2015

Assets
£m

Liabilities
£m

Assets
£m

Liabilities
£m

1
274
110
385

1
346
347

–
(182)
–
(182)

(2)
(330)
(332)

8
97
46
151

5
207
212

2016
£m
11
136
147
294

–
(98)
–
(98)

–
(165)
(165)

2015
£m
2
9
55
66

2. Investments in subsidiary undertakings and participating interests

Cost
At 1 January 2016
Additions
At 31 December 2016
Impairment provisions
At 1 January and 31 December 2016
Net carrying value
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2015

3. Trade and other receivables

Current
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Amounts owed by Group joint ventures
Prepayments and accrued income
Other receivables

4. Other financial assets and liabilities

Non-current
Cash flow hedges – foreign exchange contracts
Other foreign exchange/interest rate contracts
Debt-related derivative financial instruments – assets

Current
Cash flow hedges – foreign exchange contracts
Other foreign exchange/interest rate contracts

The contractual cash flows on derivative financial instruments at the reporting date are shown below, classified by maturity.

Less than one year
Between one and five years
More than five years

Full disclosures relating to the Group’s other financial assets and liabilities, and financial risk management strategies are given in notes 13, 25 and 
26 to the Group accounts.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016184

5. Loans and overdrafts

Non-current
US$500m 4.75% bond, repayable 2021
£400m 4.125% bond, repayable 2022
US$400m 5.8% bond, repayable 2041

Current
US$350m 3.5% bond, repayable 2016

6. Trade and other payables

Current
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Amounts owed to Group joint ventures
Accruals and deferred income 
Other payables

7. Provisions

Non-current
Current
At 1 January 2016
Created
Utilised
Net present value adjustments
At 31 December 2016
Represented by:
Non-current
Current

2016
£m

2015
£m

404
398
320
1,122

–
–

339
398
268
1,005

237
237

2016
£m

2015
£m

7,830
631
121
82
8,664

7,824
405
100
101
8,430

Contracts 
and other
£m
105
12
117
14
(16)
5
120

97
23
120

The Company holds provisions for contractual costs that it expects to incur over an extended period. These costs are based on past experience 
of similar items and represent management’s best estimate of the likely outcome.

Notes to the Company accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016185

8. Retirement benefits

The Company participates in all of the Group’s UK pension schemes. Regular contributions to the schemes are made in line with the schedule 
of contributions and a share of deficit funding is allocated to participating employers. The deficit allocation methodology is based on the relative 
payroll contributions of active members. Full disclosures relating to these schemes are given in note 20 to the Group accounts.

Amounts recognised on the balance sheet
The table below shows the Company’s share of the Group’s UK pension schemes after allocation to other participating employers. 

Present value of unfunded obligations
Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of scheme assets
Company’s share of net IAS 19 deficit
Represented by:

Retirement benefit surpluses 
Retirement benefit obligations 

2016
£m
(39)
(1,429)
1,168
(300)

8
(308)
(300)

2015
£m
(41)
(1,302)
1,090
(253)

6
(259)
(253)

9. Share capital and other reserves

Share capital
Disclosures in respect of the Company’s share capital are provided in note 22 to the Group accounts.

Other reserves

At 1 January 2015
Amounts credited to hedging reserve
Transfer to retained earnings
At 31 December 2015
Amounts charged to hedging reserve
At 31 December 2016

Non-
distributable 
reserve
£m
67
–
(67)
–
–
–

Statutory 
reserve
£m
202
–
–
202
–
202

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£m
3
–
–
3
–
3

Hedging 
reserve
£m
6
7
–
13
(13)
–

Total
£m
278
7
(67)
218
(13)
205

Statutory reserve
Under Section 4 of the British Aerospace Act 1980, this reserve may only be applied in paying up unissued shares of the Company to be allotted 
to members of the Company as fully paid bonus shares.

Capital redemption reserve
The capital redemption reserve represents the cumulative nominal value of the Company’s ordinary shares repurchased and subsequently cancelled.

Hedging reserve
The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments related 
to hedged transactions that have not yet occurred.

Strategic reportDirectors’ reportFinancial statementsBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016186

10. Share-based payments

Options over shares of the Company have been granted to employees of the Company under various plans. Details of the terms and conditions 
of each share-based payment plan are given in the Annual remuneration report on pages 84 to 98.

2016

2015

Range of 
exercise price  
of outstanding 
options
£
3.01 – 5.56
–
–

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contracted life
Years
8
5
–

Range of  
exercise price  
of outstanding 
options
£
3.01 – 5.43
–
–

Weighted  
average  
remaining 
contracted life 
Years
8
5
5

Executive Share Option Plan
Performance Share Plan
Restricted Share Plan

The average share price in the year was £5.24 (2015 £4.87).

11. Other information

Company audit fee
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts totalled £1,776,000 (2015 £1,759,000).

Employees
The total number of employees of the Company at 31 December 2016 was 1,101 (2015 1,030). Total staff costs, excluding charges for share-based 
payments, were £115m (2015 £98m).

Related party transactions
Disclosures in respect of related party transactions are provided in note 28 to the Group accounts.

The Company also has a related party relationship with its directors and key management personnel, and pension schemes.

Directors’ emoluments
Under Schedule 5 of the Large and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (Schedule 5), total directors’ 
emoluments, excluding Company pension contributions, were £10,806,172 (2015 £6,949,237); these amounts are calculated on a different basis 
to emoluments in the Annual remuneration report which are calculated under Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-Sized Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (Schedule 8 (2013)). These emoluments were paid for their services on behalf 
of the BAE Systems Group. No emoluments related specifically to their work for the Company. Under Schedule 5, the aggregate gains made 
by the directors from the exercise of share options in 2016 as at the date of exercise was £158,125 (2015 £992,252) and the net aggregate value 
of assets received by directors in 2016 from Long-Term Incentive Plans as calculated at the date of vesting was £nil (2015 £nil); these amounts are 
calculated on a different basis from the valuation of share plan benefits under Schedule 8 (2013) in the Annual remuneration report. Retirement 
benefits are accruing to two directors in respect of defined benefit schemes and to two directors in respect of defined contribution schemes.

Company guaranteed borrowings
Borrowings by subsidiary undertakings totalling £3,295m (2015 £2,764m), which are included in the Group’s borrowings, have been guaranteed 
by the Company.

Information about related undertakings
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of the Company’s subsidiaries and significant holdings is included in 
note 31 to the Group accounts.

Notes to the Company accounts continuedBAE Systems | Annual Report 2016Shareholder information

Registered office
6 Carlton Gardens 
London 
SW1Y 5AD 
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)1252 373232 
Company website: baesystems.com 
Registered in England and Wales, No. 1470151 

Registrars
Equiniti Limited (0140) 
Aspect House 
Spencer Road 
Lancing 
West Sussex 
BN99 6DA  
United Kingdom

If you have any queries regarding your shareholding or need to notify 
any changes to your personal details, please contact Equiniti. 

Equiniti’s website (help.shareview.co.uk) includes a comprehensive 
set of answers to many frequently asked questions relating to 
managing a shareholding. If you cannot find the answer to your 
question, there is an online e-mail form, which will help to ensure your 
question is directed to the most appropriate team for a response. 
Alternatively, you can call the BAE Systems Helpline on 0371 384 2044 
or, from outside the UK, +44 121 415 7058. Lines are open from 
8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding UK Bank holidays. 

In addition, the following services are offered to shareholders:

– Shareview – online access to your shareholding, including 

balance movements, indicative share prices and information on 
recent payments

– Dividend mandates – have your dividends paid directly into either 
your UK bank/building society account or an overseas bank account

– Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) – have your dividend 

reinvested in shares purchased on the stock market

More information on all these services can be found on Equiniti’s 
website (shareview.co.uk).

BEWARE OF SHARE FRAUD

187

Strategic report

Directors’ report

Investor resources

American Depositary Receipts
BAE Systems plc American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are traded 
on the Over The Counter market (OTC) under the symbol BAESY. 
One ADR represents four BAE Systems plc ordinary shares. 
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is the depositary. If you should have 
any queries, please contact: 
JPMorgan Chase & Co 
PO Box 64504 
St Paul 
MN 55164-0854 USA 
Email: jpmorgan.adr@wellsfargo.com 
Telephone number for general queries: (800) 990 1135 
Telephone number from outside the US: +1 651 453 2128 

ShareGift
ShareGift, the share donation charity (registered charity number 
1052686), accepts donations of small parcels of shares which may 
be uneconomic to sell. Details of the scheme are available from 
ShareGift at sharegift.org, by telephone on 020 7930 3737 
or by e-mail: help@sharegift.org 

Share price information
The middle market price of the Company’s ordinary shares on 
31 December 2016 was 591.5p and the range during the year 
was 459.7p to 612.0p. 

For more information
Visit the Shareholder information section of our website:  
investors.baesystems.com

FINANCIAL CALENDAR
Financial year end
Annual General Meeting
2016 final ordinary dividend payable
2017 half-yearly results announcement
2017 interim ordinary dividend payable
2017 full-year results: 
– preliminary announcement 
– Annual Report
2017 final ordinary dividend payable

31 December
10 May 2017
1 June 2017
2 August 2017
30 November 2017

February 2018 
March 2018
June 2018

Fraudsters use persuasive and high-pressure tactics to lure investors into scams.
They may offer to sell shares that turn out to be worthless or non-existent, or to buy shares at an inflated price in return for an upfront payment.
While high profits are promised, if you buy or sell shares in this way you will probably lose your money.
Victims of share fraud lose an average of £20,000 to these scams, with as much as £200m being lost in the UK each year.
How to avoid share fraud 
1. Keep in mind that firms authorised by the FCA are unlikely to 
contact you out of the blue with an offer to buy or sell shares.
2. Do not get into a conversation, note the name of the person 

6. Call the FCA on 0800 111 6768 if the firm does not have contact 

details on the Register or you are told they are out of date.

7. Search the list of unauthorised firms to avoid at 

and firm contacting you and then end the call.

scamsmart.fca.org.uk/warninglist

3. Check the Financial Services Register from fca.org.uk to 
see if the person and firm contacting you is authorised by 
the FCA.

8. Consider that if you buy or sell shares from an unauthorised firm 
you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or 
Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

4. Beware of fraudsters claiming to be from an authorised firm, 

copying its website or giving you false contact details.

5. Use the firm’s contact details listed on the Register if you want 

9. Think seriously about getting independent financial and 
professional advice before you hand over any money.
10.  Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

to call it back.

Report a scam 
If you are approached by fraudsters please tell the FCA using the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768, or the share fraud reporting 
form at fca.org.uk/scams, where you can also find out more about investment scams.
If you have already paid money to share fraudsters you should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk

BAE Systems | Annual Report 2016188

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 baesystems.com

BAE Systems plc 
6 Carlton Gardens 
London SW1Y 5AD 
United Kingdom 
Telephone: +44 (0) 1252 373232 
baesystems.com

Registered in England and Wales No. 1470151

© BAE Systems plc 2017. All rights reserved

BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc.