Global defence company BAE has announced job cuts of more than 1,000.

BAE Systems has announced plans to close its Woodford site in Cheshire and to axe a total of 1,116 jobs from four of its sites: Woodford (630 losses), Samlesbury in Lancashire (205), Warton in Lancashire (170), and Farnborough in Hampshire (111).

It is the second largest global defence company and the closure of its Woodford site will coincide with the completion of its Nimrod MRA4 production contract.

Employees at the site have been aware of the potential job losses since 2003 – more than 130 jobs were axed at the site in 2008 – and it is expected that these losses will phase out in line with the production plan.

The reason for job losses at the other sites vary, but include the end of Airbus work, Harrier work curtailment and Nimrod, Tornado and Hawk programme declines.

Kevin Taylor, Managing Director of Military Air Solutions, said: “Whilst we regret having to make this announcement we have to ensure we are the right size and shape to remain competitive and meet our customers’ requirements in the future.

“We will work with our employees and their representatives to explore ways of mitigating these potential job losses and we will do everything necessary to deal with the potential job losses and closure of Woodford in a professional way and support our people throughout this process.”

BAE Systems has already this year announced job losses. In May, it closed sites in Guildford, Leeds and Telford, and also cut jobs at its Newcastle and Leicester sites resulting in the loss of around 500 jobs. Previously, in November 2008, 200 positions were also cut.

The Woodford plant is expected to close completely in 2012.