RAF Kinloss and Prestwick braced for job cuts after BAE announcement

• An Nimrod MRA4

The move, which follows the Government's defence spending review , will affect employees at the company's RAF Kinloss and Prestwick sites.

The jobs losses at its two Scottish centres, the numbers of which have not yet been specified, are linked with the cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 programme.

The cuts will also affect bases around the UK including Samlesbury and Warton in Lancashire, Farnborough in Hampshire, Yeovil and RAF Cottesmore.

The company also revealed it would be consulting unions over potentially closing its Woodford site in Cheshire earlier than had been previously announced.

Kevin Taylor, managing director of BAE Systems Military Air Solutions, said: "Since the publication of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) in October we have taken time to understand the implications for our business.

"We have recently received termination for customer convenience notices for the Nimrod MRA4 and Harrier contracts and this has regrettably led us to initiating consultation regarding potential job losses.

"Today's announcement is designed to ensure we remain competitive as we actively pursue a number of opportunities for our other products and services both in the UK and internationally.

"Military Air Solutions remains a sustainable business with a strong business plan. I appreciate this is difficult news for our people and we are committed to working with employees and their representatives to explore ways of mitigating the potential job losses."

Bernie Hamilton, national officer of the Unite union, condemned the decision.

"This is a tragedy for the workforce and for Britain, he said.

"The coalition Government's Christmas present to over a thousand skilled workers who support Britain's armed forces is the sack.

"Legendary planes like the Lancaster used in World War Two by the dambusters will never be built in the UK again. The country that gave the world the revolutionary Harrier jump jet will lose the know-how to build an aircraft like this.

"BAE's workers are urging the Government to think again and reverse this decision. The coalition are denying the UK armed forces vital equipment to defend this nation while families across the country worry about their futures."