BAE Systems has announced jobs cuts within its Insyte business.

BAE Systems potentially plans to cut 642 jobs across eight UK sites as a result of a drop in orders and contracts at its Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) business.

BAE Systems Insyte specialises in the delivery of radar surveillance, command & information systems, mission training and underwater systems solutions for global defence and security companies. The cuts will be decided in an upcoming consultation by the company, and could result in the loss of 17% of its workforce.

Rory Fisher, Managing Director for Insyte, said: “We have a responsibility to address a reduction in our forecast workload and manage our cost base to remain competitive and meet our customers’ future requirements.

“We will work with our employees and their representatives to explore ways of mitigating these potential job losses and we will ensure employees are fully supported throughout this process.”

The company recently won a contract to supply the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force with Spearfish and Sting Ray torpedoes in a 10-year contract worth £369.5 million.

Jobs are under threat at sites in Christchurch, Portsmouth, Chelmsford, Cowes, Bristol, Frimley, Fife and New Malden.

In September 2009, BAE Systems announced more than 1,000 jobs losses and the closure of its Woodland site in Cheshire. Earlier in the year, it also cut around 500 jobs in Newcastle and Leicester along with more plant closures.