Final Results
BAE SYSTEMS PLC
23 February 2006
BAE Systems plc
Preliminary results
Results in brief
2005 20041
Results from continuing operations
Sales2 £15,411m £13,222m
EBITA3 £1,182m £1,016m
Operating profit £900m £774m
Underlying earnings per share4 22.5p 17.4p
Basic earnings per share5 18.3p 14.2p
Other results including discontinued operations
Dividend per share 10.3p 9.5p
Cash inflow from operating activities £2,099m £2,350m
Net debt as defined by the Group £1,277m £668m
Order book6 £59.8bn £50.1bn
Highlights
• Delivering US growth strategy
• Global land systems business established
• Programmes business profitability and risk profile improved
• Growth from UK MoD partnered support
• European business portfolio restructuring
• Strong Airbus order intake
• Strong operating cash flow
• Underlying earnings per share4 up 29.3% at 22.5p
• Dividend increased 8.4% to 10.3p per share for the year
Outlook
Looking forward to 2006, we anticipate an improved performance from our defence
businesses with modest organic growth and a full year contribution from the
former United Defense activities. We also anticipate an increased contribution
from the commercial aerospace sector.
We expect to translate operating profit into operating cash flow, other than
some small utilisation of customer advances. We intend to make one-off cash
contributions to the pension schemes in 2006.
1 as restated under International Financial Reporting Standards
2 including share of equity accounted investments' sales
3 earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance
costs and taxation expense
4 earnings per share excluding amortisation and impairment of intangible
assets, non-cash finance movements on pensions and financial derivatives,
and uplift on acquired inventories (see note 5)
5 basic earnings per share in accordance with International Accounting
Standard 33
6 including share of equity accounted investments' order books and after the
elimination of intra-group orders of £0.9bn (2004 £2.6bn)
BAE Systems has performed well against its objectives in 2005. Financial results
have been delivered in line with plan and further significant steps have been
taken to implement the Company's strategy. In particular, the acquisition of
United Defense builds on the Company's strong defence technology business in the
United States and complements its established position as the largest defence
company in the UK and Europe.
The United Defense acquisition has elevated BAE Systems to the second largest
supplier in the global land systems market. The former United Defense activities
have been integrated with BAE Systems Land Systems, which comprised the former
RO Defence and Alvis activities including Hagglunds. Integration of these
operations has resulted in a single US headquartered global land systems
business with operations in the US, UK, Sweden and South Africa.
In 2005, the Company has continued to improve performance through a combination
of good project execution, cost and productivity improvements within the
business operations together with the benefit of actions over recent years to
eliminate inappropriate risk and improve returns, especially in its UK Ministry
of Defence (MoD) Programmes business.
Sales1 increased 17% from £13,222m to £15,411m. The growth reflects sales of
£789m from the acquired United Defense business together with the benefit of
2004 acquisitions and increased deliveries across the majority of the Group.
This was partially offset by the impact of the reduced Saab shareholding.
EBITA2 increased 16% from £1,016m to £1,182m. EBITA has been reduced by
rationalisation provisions of £89m and is stated after United Defense
acquisition accounting adjustments of £44m. Losses at Regional Aircraft amounted
to £95m.
Underlying earnings per share3 from continuing operations for 2005 increased by
29.3% to 22.5p compared with 2004. Basic earnings per share, in accordance with
IAS 33, from continuing operations increased by 28.9% to 18.3p (2004 14.2p).
The outlook for the UK Programmes business is now good. Following agreement on
the way forward for the Typhoon programme, it is now making a significant
contribution to the Company's performance. Other UK platform programmes such as
the Type 45 destroyer, Nimrod MRA4, Hawk and Astute submarine are also expected
to progress to make good contributions when they transition from design to
production.
Alongside the good operational execution now being delivered we continue to
strive to further embed a high performance culture across the Company. The
formation of the Centre for Performance Excellence will help ensure consistency
of performance measurement and provide leadership and focus for the sharing of
best practice across the Company. In December, the Company welcomed the
publication by the UK government of a Defence Industrial Strategy following
extensive consultation with industry. The strategy paper recognises the need for
government and industry to work in partnership to secure the best technologies
to meet the needs of the UK's armed forces. The paper also identifies the skills
and capabilities required to equip and support the UK armed forces whilst
ensuring the UK maintains a world class defence industry. BAE Systems recognises
that implementing the Defence Industrial Strategy sets challenges for both the
MoD and industry.
Addressing pension deficits is a challenge. Reduced discount rates used to value
scheme liabilities and the need to address changes in assumptions for increased
life-expectancy combined to create a significant deficit in the funding of the
Company's pension schemes.
The Company has recently finalised a plan for the largest of its funds, the Main
Scheme. The plan addresses the deficit through increased contributions and
benefit concessions from employee scheme members and contributions of cash and
property assets from the Company. These actions enable the Company to maintain
this defined benefit pension scheme for existing scheme members, at a cost
acceptable to the Company, eliminating the substantial funding deficit and
introducing flexibility into the benefit structure to self fund any further
increases in employee longevity going forward.
A continuing success for the Company is the provision of defence support
solutions. The Company has a large and growing business providing support for
armed forces and government agencies. Through-life support and upgrades for
in-service defence equipment is expected to become an increasingly important
activity for BAE Systems as air, naval and land sector platforms are expected to
remain in service for many decades and require progressive upgrades in
capability with advances in technology.
In partnership with the MoD's Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) the Company
has continued to develop and grow its support solutions activities for the UK's
armed forces. The successful delivery of cost savings, together with improved
equipment availability across a number of pilot air systems activities, has
enabled the Company to broaden the scope of its DLO support activities to the UK
land sector. Further support opportunities have been identified with the
potential to deliver further cost savings and improved system availability for
the UK customer and to deliver future profitable growth for the benefit of
shareholders.
BAE Systems continues to provide extensive support in Saudi Arabia, principally
to the Royal Saudi Air Force, building on a relationship spanning several
decades. BAE Systems employ some 4,600 people within the Kingdom on wide-ranging
activities including flying training and support for aircraft previously
supplied. The Company has recently invested in facilities to enhance in-kingdom
capability for the maintenance and sustainment of capability of in-service
aircraft.
In December 2005, the governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UK
signed an Understanding Document, intended to establish a greater partnership in
modernising the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and developing close
service-to-service contacts especially through joint training and exercises.
Under the terms of the Understanding, the two governments recognise the
requirement to provide enhanced capabilities to existing military assets and
ensure that they can be supported by local industry. It is also intended that
Typhoon aircraft will replace Tornado Air Defence Variant aircraft and other
aircraft in service with the Royal Saudi Air Force. The details of these
arrangements are confidential.
Support is also now a substantial component of the Company's business in the US.
Following the acquisition of United Defense, its marine repair business has been
added to the Company's established US Navy and federal systems support
activities to form an integrated support solutions business in the US.
Drawing on the depth of experience now residing on both sides of the Atlantic, a
cross-company support solutions council has been formed to share best practice.
A number of actions have been taken to rationalise the Company's portfolio of
activities in Europe and to manage non-strategic businesses for optimum value.
In March 2005, BAE Systems agreed a reduced involvement in marketing the Gripen
combat aircraft and reduced its equity interest in Saab AB from 34.2% to 20.5%.
Under the Eurosystems transaction, completed in April 2005, the AMS joint
venture was restructured with BAE Systems acquiring the UK based operations of
AMS and Finmeccanica acquiring the Italian operations. In a related transaction
BAE Systems sold its UK based sensor systems and electronic warfare avionics
activities to Finmeccanica. The agreement includes the deferred sale of a
retained 25% interest in the resulting enlarged avionics business, Selex. The
wholly owned UK activities of the former AMS business have been combined with
BAE Systems' other C4ISR5 activities to form Integrated System Technologies
(Insyte).
The integration of systems into digital networks, or Network Enabled Capability
(NEC), is transforming defence capabilities.
Insyte is working in partnership with the UK MoD, to deliver transformational
capabilities to the UK armed forces through the application of emerging NEC
technologies.
The sale of Atlas Elektronik, the naval electronics business based in Germany,
jointly to ThyssenKrupp and EADS was agreed in December 2005 and is expected to
complete in the first half of 2006, subject to regulatory approval.
BAE Systems has valuable interests in the MBDA guided weapons joint venture and
Airbus.
MBDA continues to perform well with good order intake. A further step in the
consolidation of the European guided weapons industry was achieved with the
agreement to fully integrate the German missile business LFK into MBDA.
Airbus produced another strong financial performance despite a continued high
level of investment in new product development. Order intake was substantially
ahead of plan, benefiting from strength in a number of markets including China,
India and the Middle East. Aircraft demand has also been stimulated by the
enhanced operating economics of new products such as the A380 and A350 airliners
now under development.
Cash inflow from operating activities was £2,099m (2004 £2,350m).
Operating business cash flow was £1,937m (2004 £2,134m). Good conversion of
EBITA2 to operating cash flow was experienced across much of the Group together
with the cash benefits of securing advance payments at Land & Armaments and
programme debt reduction at Customer Solutions & Support.
Free cash flow, after interest, preference dividends and taxation, was £1,758m
(2004 £1,924m).
The net cash outflow on acquisitions and disposals was £1,548m. In addition,
debt acquired on acquisitions was £288m. During the year the Group completed the
acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of United Defense Industries,
Inc, in the US, for a total consideration of £2,205m. In addition the Group
completed the Eurosystems transaction, resulting in a net cash inflow of £402m.
Finance costs, including the Group's share of the finance costs of equity
accounted investments, were £215m (2004 £176m). The underlying interest charge
of £210m (2004 £200m) was increased by a net charge of £5m (2004 gain £24m)
arising from pension accounting, marked to market revaluations of financial
instruments and foreign currency movements.
The net debt of the Group at 31 December 2005 was £1,277m, an increase of £326m
from £951m at the start of the year, after adjusting for IAS 32 and IAS 39.
Interest cover based on EBITA2 decreased from 5.8 times to 5.5 times.
The Group's effective tax rate for the year was 29% (2004 32%).
The tax rate in the 2006 financial year is expected to be in line with 2005.
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 6.3p per share (2004 5.8p),
bringing the total dividend for the year to 10.3p per share (2004 9.5p), an
increase of 8.4%. The proposed dividend is covered 2.2 times by earnings3 from
continuing operations (2004 1.8 times).
In summary, BAE Systems has had a good year, delivering a strong set of
financial results and meeting its overall objectives for 2005.
BAE Systems is successfully executing its strategy and has further strengthened
its position in the US, restructured its portfolio of business interests in
Europe and, through a combination of factors now has a much enhanced outlook for
the business in the UK. Shareholder value is being delivered by the premier
transatlantic defence and aerospace company.
The Company is now very well balanced, not overly dependent on any one sector
but generating good returns for shareholders from a broad base of operations in
the world's key defence and aerospace markets.
'The executive team and all employees have demonstrated their ability to deliver
results and I applaud their hard work and dedication.'
Dick Olver, Chairman
'Financial results have been delivered in line with our plan and further
significant steps have been taken to implement the Company strategy.'
Mike Turner, Chief Executive
Summarised income statement from continuing operations
2005 20044
£m £m
Sales1 15,411 13,222
EBITA2 - subsidiaries 809 668
EBITA2 - equity accounted investments 373 348
EBITA2 1,182 1,016
Amortisation (77) (13)
Impairment (45) (97)
Net finance costs1 (215) (176)
Taxation expense1 (262) (273)
Profit for the year 583 457
Basic earnings per share 18.3p 14.2p
Underlying earnings per share3 22.5p 17.4p
Dividend per share 10.3p 9.5p
Exchange rates
2005 2004
£/€ - average 1.462 1.474
£/$ - average 1.819 1.832
£/€ - year end 1.455 1.417
£/$ - year end 1.718 1.932
Segmental analysis
Sales1 EBITA2
2005 2004 2005 2004
£m £m £m £m
Electronics, Intelligence & Support 3,697 3,063 324 256
Land & Armaments 1,270 482 42 (8)
Programmes 2,819 2,219 133 10
Customer Solutions & Support 2,923 2,856 419 497
Integrated Systems & Partnerships 1,834 2,022 109 95
Commercial Aerospace 3,232 2,924 179 201
HQ and other businesses 69 73 (24) (35)
Intra-group (433) (417) - -
15,411 13,222 1,182 1,016
1 including share of equity accounted investments
2 earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance
costs and taxation expense
3 earnings per share excluding amortisation and impairment of intangible assets,
non-cash finance movements on pensions and financial derivatives, and uplift
on acquired inventories (see note 5)
4 as restated under International Financial Reporting Standards
5 Command, Control, Communications and Computing, Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance
Reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities to net debt
2005 2004
£m £m
Cash flow from operating activities 2,099 2,350
Capital expenditure (net) and financial investment (250) (285)
Dividends from equity accounted investments 88 69
Operating business cash flow 1,937 2,134
Interest and preference dividends (152) (179)
Taxation (27) (31)
Free cash inflow 1,758 1,924
Acquisitions and disposals (1,548) (550)
Debt acquired on acquisition of subsidiary undertaking (288) (80)
Proceeds from issue of share capital 373 -
Equity dividends paid (315) (281)
Other non-cash movements (52) 9
Foreign exchange (219) 129
Movement in cash received on customers' account* (35) (13)
Movement in net debt (326) 1,138
Opening net debt as defined by the Group (668) (1,806)
Adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39 (283) -
Closing net debt as defined by the Group (1,277) (668)
Net debt as defined by the Group
2005 2004
£m £m
Other investments - current 634 763
Cash and cash equivalents 2,581 1,651
3,215 2,414
Loans - non current (3,534) (2,113)
Loans - current (815) (950)
Overdrafts- current (90) (1)
Loans and overdrafts - current (905) (951)
Cash received on customers' account* (included within payables) (53) (18)
(4,492) (3,082)
Closing net debt as defined by the Group (1,277) (668)
Operating business cash flow
2005 2004
£m £m
Electronics, Intelligence & Support 323 190
Land & Armaments 168 60
Programmes 285 442
Customer Solutions & Support 850 1,102
Integrated Systems & Partnerships 17 59
Commercial Aerospace 327 226
HQ and other businesses (3) 82
Discontinued businesses (30) (27)
Operating business cash flow 1,937 2,134
*Cash on customers' account is the unexpended cash received from customers in
advance of delivery which is subject to advance payment guarantees unrelated to
company performance
Business Group reviews
Electronics, Intelligence & Support
Business overview
2005 20044
Sales1 £3,697m £3,063m
EBITA2 £324m £256m
Cash inflow3 £323m £190m
Number of employees1 32,900 30,000
Order book1 £3.5bn £3.1bn
Electronics, Intelligence & Support (EI&S) is headquartered in the US, and is
responsible for the former businesses of BAE Systems North America, the group's
UK-based displays and inertial systems activities and US marine repair
activities. EI&S comprises two businesses, Electronics & Integrated Solutions
and Customer Solutions.
During 2005, Electronics, Intelligence & Support achieved EBITA2 of £324m (2004
£256m) on sales1 of £3,697m (2004 £3,063m). The business group generated
operating cash inflow3 of £323m (2004 £190m).
Electronics & Integrated Solutions
The Electronics & Integrated Solutions (E&IS) business is a major defence and
aerospace electronics business with products and services encompassing:
• Communications, including tactical networking
• Electronic warfare, including electronic protection and information
warfare
• Avionics and controls
• Sensors
• Integrated systems
E&IS is an industry leader in a variety of military communications, electronic
identification, navigation, and guidance systems. The Company has wide technical
expertise in C4ISR5 and C3I6 systems and is a provider of network centric
warfare solutions to command centres, platforms and individual soldiers in the
battle space.
It has a prominent position integrating communications on the US Army's Future
Combat System, including provision of an Integrated Global Positioning and
Inertial Navigation System for the programme. In 2005 the Company was also
selected to provide the new mobile military communications system for the Slovak
armed forces.
The Company is a major supplier of integrated avionics systems for military
aircraft. Such systems include the electronic countermeasures for the US Air
Force's F-22 Raptor, and development of the electronic combat suite for the F-35
Joint Strike Fighter. In 2005 the Company was selected by the US Navy to develop
the Tactical Aircraft Directable Infrared Countermeasures (TADIRCM) system and
has been successfully flight testing a related Infra red missile countermeasures
system for commercial aircraft.
E&IS provides signals and information management solutions for defence and
government agencies. Its Diamond Software product family architecture underpins
the latest generation of electronic support measures for the UK Shaman
communications programme. The Company's radiation hardened computers have guided
spacecraft on missions to Mars and to intercept a comet.
As a market leader in advanced information technology, geospatial exploitation
software and data production, integration of knowledge-based systems and
avionics test equipment, the Company was selected as one of the prime
contractors for the US Air Force Mission Planning consolidation in 2005. Another
programme, Gridlock, gives the war fighter distinctive advantages with its '
smart imaging' targeting that rapidly generates accurate target coordinates
using still or motion imagery from tactical manned and unmanned platforms.
Capabilities in vehicle management, human-machine interface, precision guidance,
and power systems provide improved operational safety and enhanced mission
effectiveness. Contract awards in 2005 included the digital electronic engine
controls for the T700 Engine that will make BAE Systems the leader in the Army
helicopter segment.
BAE Systems also provides the HybriDrive propulsion system, used on commercial
buses, which improves fuel economy by 35% and dramatically reduces emissions.
500 systems for operation in New York City were ordered in 2005. In a related
technology, the US Office of Naval Research selected BAE Systems to develop an
on-board power system for the Marine Corps' High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled
Vehicle (the Humvee).
The Company is a supplier of state-of-the-art infrared, millimetre-wave, and
laser technologies for missile seekers, guided munitions, and target
designators. It is upgrading the technology for the Theater High Altitude Area
Defense (THAAD) seeker for Lockheed Martin. In an important entry point to the
$1bn military thermal imaging market, the Company is producing the new thermal
weapons sights to equip the US Army and Marine Corps, and is to manufacture the
TIM1500 thermal imaging module for the US Army's Stryker armoured vehicle.
In 2005, BAE Systems won the US Air Force's (USAF) key Design and Engineering
Support Program II, leveraging expertise in aircraft modifications and
operations.
The business operates two technology organisations focused on enhancing its
technology base, Advanced Systems and Technology and the Center for
Transformation.
Advanced Systems and Technology identifies strategic technology needs and
delivers that technology in four major domains: Sensors and Signal Processing;
Radio Frequency; Electro-Optical and Infrared; and Networking and Information
Processing. Major customers include the US Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency and other government laboratories, with R&D programmes ranging from
multi-functional low-observable antenna systems to high performance scalable
signal processing technologies, mixed-signal (digital, RF and optical) devices,
and advanced sensors.
The Center for Transformation focuses on development of advanced programmes and
concepts in the C4ISR5 domain and deploys leading-edge technology solutions to
solve time-critical problems.
Customer Solutions
Customer Solutions comprises three business units:
• BAE Systems Information Technology (IT)
• Technology Solutions and Services (TSS)
• BAE Systems Ship Repair
IT capabilities include enterprise-wide managed IT operations, mission-critical
performance and information analysis and assured delivery. TSS provides services
including system engineering and technical assistance, system and sub-system
integration and operations and maintenance. Ship Repair provides non-nuclear
ship repair, conversion and modernisation, principally in the home ports of the
US Navy.
The business provides a broad range of services in the areas of systems
integration, systems engineering and technical assistance, operations and
maintenance and logistics. It also develops communications systems and precision
tracking radars, is one of the largest suppliers to the US Navy, is a leader in
air and missile defence systems and is one of the world's largest manufacturers
of explosives. It also includes the US's leading non-nuclear ship repair
company.
During 2005, the major projects for the US government included a blanket
purchase agreement for the supply of information technology support and
services, a cost-plus award fee/level of effort contract for operations and
maintenance support for IT systems. Combined annual sales for these are
estimated at $94m.
TSS provides professional engineering services to the NAVSEA DDG51 Shipbuilding
Program Office under a $863m contract which will run until 2015. It also handles
the SETAC contract, for which the primary customer is the Army Space and Missile
Defense Command. The full year sales for SETAC are $90m.
BAE Systems Ship Repair has continued to support the US Navy repairs,
alterations and continuous repair work on Landing Platform Dock/Landing Ship
Dock (LPD/LSD) class vessels in San Diego, as well as similar LSD Multi-Ship
Multi-Option in Norfolk, Virginia.
Looking forward
Defence spending in the US continues to be robust for the near term, however
fiscal pressures may make the budget environment more challenging in subsequent
years. Customers will need to balance priorities to equip effectively the
current fighting force, while developing capabilities to transform the future
force.
EI&S was reorganised in 2005 to enable it to compete more effectively. The
business group can now leverage a breadth of capability in critical domains,
while rapidly aligning technologies and resources to those sub-segments of the
market which are likely to see higher than market growth.
1 including share of equity accounted investments
2 earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance
costs and taxation expense
3 net cash inflow from operating activities after capital expenditure (net) and
financial investment, and dividends from equity accounted investments
4 as restated under International Financial Reporting Standards
5 Command, Control, Communications and Computing, Intelligence, Surveillance
and Reconnaissance
6 Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence
Land & Armaments
Business overview
2005 20044
Sales1 £1,270m £482m
EBITA2 £42m £(8)m
Underlying EBITA5 £86m £(2)m
Cash inflow3 £168m £60m
Number of employees1 10,600 4,800
Order book1 £4.4bn £2.2bn
The Land & Armaments business group, headquartered in the US, is a global leader
in the design, development, production and service support of armoured combat
vehicles, major and minor calibre naval guns, missile launchers, canisters,
artillery systems and intelligent munitions.
During 2005, Land & Armaments achieved EBITA2 of £42m (2004 £(8)m) on sales1 of
£1,270m (2004 £482m), and generated an operating cash inflow3 of £168m (2004
£60m).
This group was established in June 2005 from the newly acquired United Defense
Industries, Inc. and the existing Land Systems (formed by the integration of RO
Defence and Alvis in 2004). This global business has operations in the US, UK,
South Africa and Sweden, with markets in more than two dozen countries.
The Land & Armaments business is shaped by the contracts awarded for its
products by primarily the governments of the US, the UK and Sweden. The success
of the business results from its history of securing key government contracts
and the ability to satisfy customer needs in its various home and export
markets. In the US, the Army's requirement to restore its current systems to
combat-ready condition following extensive operational use and to upgrade and
remanufacture to the most advanced configurations is the subject of one of the
largest ongoing programmes being undertaken by the group.
Land
Contract awards on current systems have been exceptional. Most noteworthy were
the orders in 2005 worth some $1.5bn for the refurbishment and upgrade of
Bradley and M113 fighting vehicles, demonstrating the value and potential of the
United Defense acquisition. Other contracts on current systems included the
remanufacture and upgrade of 59 M88A2 HERCULES Improved Recovery Vehicles.
The M777 lightweight 155mm howitzer, 495 of which were ordered for the US
Marines and US Army in 2005, has now expanded its market with the first delivery
of guns to the Canadian Department of National Defense.
In addition to mine protection, current survivability programmes include an
armouring programme of M113 personnel carriers in Iraq, the manufacture and
installation of Transparent Armour Gun Shield kits for Humvees, trucks, M2
Bradleys, M1 Abrams and add-on armour for the Stryker.
In the area of development, Land & Armaments is well positioned for key future
forces programmes including the Future Combat Systems (FCS) programme for the US
Army, Future Rapid Effect System programme for the UK and the Swedish Modular
Armoured Tactical System.
Land & Armaments continues to make substantial progress on the development and
maturation of the Non-Line-of-Sight- Cannon (NLOS-C), the lead system of the US
Army's FCS manned ground vehicles. In 2005, company engineers and the Army
completed functional and preliminary design reviews. The NLOS-C remains on track
to deliver prototypes in 2008 and achieve system fielding in 2010.
Other contract wins and ongoing development programmes related to Manned Ground
Vehicles for the US Army's FCS include the Integrated Army Active Protection
System and the common Traction Drive Subsystem for all FCS manned ground
vehicles.
The group secured two key contracts in robotic systems - the acceleration of the
FCS Armed Robotic Vehicle (ARV), together with Carnegie Mellon University, and
the US Marine Corps' Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle. It also showed
its own internally-developed Armed Robotic Demonstrator at the annual meeting of
the Association of the US Army.
In the UK, the award of the AS90 Equipment Support Contract followed by the
contract to upgrade 500 of the British Army's FV430 tracked vehicles, are key
enablers in becoming the through-life support and capability provider to the UK
armed forces.
In the UK and export markets Trojan, an obstacle-crossing vehicle and Titan, a
tank bridgelayer, are both based on Challenger 2. Roll out of the first
production vehicles is scheduled for the first quarter of 2006.
Over the past ten years, some £25m has been invested in developing insensitive
munitions technology and in UK production facilities. The first contract was
awarded in 2005 by the MoD for the manufacture of 105mm improved ammunition for
the L18 Light Gun. Subsequent awards have been contracts to qualify 155mm
ammunition for the L15 and L21 and 4.5' improved ammunition.
The premium that militaries are placing on accuracy and precision in both area
and point target fires has raised the importance of intelligent munitions for
artillery and mortar systems. Land & Armaments has a leading role in the
accelerated fielding of Excalibur to US and Canadian forces in Iraq and
Afghanistan. BONUS, a sensor fused 155mm munition fielded in Sweden and France,
is being evaluated by the US and UK.
BAE Systems operations in Sweden continue their strong presence in the northern
European armoured fighting vehicles market with further orders for the CV90. The
newest customer, Denmark, brings to six the number of European countries
fielding this highly successful infantry fighting vehicle.
The growing international need for mine-protected vehicles has generated orders
for the four-wheeled RG-31 from South Africa including the sale of 148 vehicles
to the US with further exports to Canada and the United Arab Emirates under
contract.
Naval
One immediate benefit of the United Defense acquisition for BAE Systems was the
opportunity to meet the US Navy's urgent need for a superior medium-calibre gun
and ammunition for the DD(X) next-generation destroyer and the Coast Guard's
Deepwater modernisation programme. Both have selected the Land & Armaments' 57mm
Mk 110, as a close-in gun system for the DD(X) and as the main battery for the
Maritime Security Cutter Large. Partnering with Northrop Grumman Ship Systems,
the first Mk 110 will be delivered in December 2006. The weapon system is also
baselined on both the General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin designs for the
Littoral Combat Ship for the US Navy.
Development of the 155mm Advanced Gun System (AGS) and the Long Range Land
Attack Projectile (LRLAP) for the US Navy continues to support Navy and Marine
Corps expeditionary and joint operations forces engaged near the coastline and
deep inland. The AGS will be capable of a maximum sustained firing rate of 10
rounds per minute at ranges of up to 60 nautical miles with an objective of
being able to reach targets beyond 80 nautical miles. In 2005, the engineering
development models successfully demonstrated the key requirements to support the
DD(X) ship design. Tests have already established the propulsion approach for
the LRLAP needed to meet the challenging range targets.
In addition to key new gun systems, BAE Systems is designing and testing a new
Vertical Launching System (VLS), Mk 57. This next generation VLS will provide
capabilities for the DD(X) ship to launch a wide range of missile designs.
Looking forward
Land & Armaments is expected to contribute growth in 2006 driven largely by the
ongoing requirements in the US to both re-set and upgrade the Bradley family of
vehicles. Re-set is the need to repair vehicles to return them to a fully
operational condition as a result of wear incurred by sustained military
operations. Upgrade activity is enhancing the vehicles' mobility, lethality and
survivability to effectively support the US Army as it drives to deploy a
modular force.
In the UK, there will be continued emphasis on improving profitability and
establishing a role on the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programme. The
businesses in both Sweden and South Africa continue to perform well in both home
markets and in securing export opportunities.
In the longer term, progress on the US Army's Future Combat Systems programme,
where BAE Systems has a major role for both manned and unmanned vehicles, will
be a major sensitivity for the business.
1 including share of equity accounted investments
2 earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance
costs and taxation expense
3 net cash inflow from operating activities after capital expenditure (net) and
financial investment, and dividends from equity accounted investments
4 as restated under International Financial Reporting Standards
5 earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, uplift on
acquired inventories, finance costs and taxation
Programmes
Business overview
2005 20044
Sales1 £2,819m £2,219m
EBITA2 £133m £10m
Cash inflow3 £285m £442m
Number of employees1 16,200 15,700
Order book1 £12.3bn £13.0bn
The Programmes business group is a major contributor to the defence of the UK,
with the MoD its principal customer. The business group comprises the Company's
air systems, naval ships and submarines activities together with the Company's
participation in the UK's Future Carrier (CVF) programme.
During 2005, Programmes achieved EBITA2 of £133m (2004 £10m) on sales1 of
£2,819m (2004 £2,219m), and generated an operating cash inflow3 of £285m (2004
£442m).
Air Systems
The principal Air Systems programmes are:
Typhoon
The introduction of the Typhoon to the Royal Air Force (RAF) was successfully
implemented under the Case White initial support arrangement. The contracted
flying hours were completed ahead of schedule, and the first two RAF squadrons
have now been deployed to their operational base at RAF Coningsby. A total of 74
aircraft have been accepted by the air forces of the four partner nations for
deployment to operational and training squadrons across Europe. Discussions are
underway regarding further development to enhance the capability of the
aircraft. In addition to the sale of 18 aircraft to Austria further export
possibilities are being pursued.
Hawk
The Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) development programme made good progress
during 2005, with a successful maiden flight for the first RAF Mk. 128 in July,
two months ahead of schedule. A production order is expected in 2006. Export
contracts for Bahrain, South Africa and India were progressed during the year.
Nimrod MRA4
Nimrod passed a number of key milestones in 2005, and the development fleet of
three aircraft continues its extensive flight testing programme. Design and
development continues to meet the targets to support the production bid, which
was submitted in July, and to serve as the technical baseline for future work.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
Air Systems is partnered with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman on the JSF
programme, with responsibility for the design and manufacture of the rear
fuselage and empennage. Work progressed on the system development and
demonstration contract, with the successful delivery of the first rear fuselage
and empennage to Lockheed Martin. The first conventional takeoff and landing
flight is planned for 2006. Activity has also continued in preparation for the
bid for the first JSF production contract, with the contract award expected in
2007.
Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs)
In July 2005, the MoD formed the Strategic UAVs (Experiment) integrated project
team. This will assemble evidence to allow the UK to make informed decisions
about the potential role of UAVs in future force mixes. BAE Systems has been
selected as prime contractor, and has received a series of contracts for
de-risking work.
Naval Ships and Submarines
The principal Naval Ships and Submarine programmes are:
Type 45
The Company is the prime contractor and design authority for the Type 45
destroyer, which will be the largest and most powerful air defence destroyer
ever deployed by the Royal Navy. Of a projected eight ships, six are under
contract of which the first, HMS Daring, was launched in February 2006. Build on
ships 2 and 3 is progressing well, with anticipated build efficiencies already
being achieved between first and second of class.
LSD(A)
Two Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliaries) for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are
under contract. The first, RFA Mounts Bay, was handed over in December 2005; and
RFA Cardigan Bay will be delivered in mid-2006.
OPV
The customer's refusal to accept the three Brunei Offshore Patrol Vessels is now
subject to arbitration.
Astute
The Astute programme has achieved milestones on or ahead of schedule throughout
the year with closure of the pressure hull now complete. In 2005, every module
was shipped ahead of schedule with the Main Propulsion Package shipped 40 days
early in June, the Command Deck Module 5 weeks early in November, while shop
floor-led innovation enabled the Bridge Fin and Casings to be completed 22 weeks
early in October 2005. An innovative all employee bonus scheme has strongly
contributed to this performance.
CVF
The CVF project will be executed within an Alliance structure comprising MoD,
BAE Systems, VT Group, Babcock, Thales and KBR. Within the Alliance framework,
BAE Systems continues to play a significant role in the leadership and execution
of the CVF project. The Roles and Responsibilities agreement signed in December
2005 formally appointed BAE Systems to lead the overarching design and
integration of the two ships, as well as continuing to lead the Mission systems
elements of the project. From a ship building perspective, BAE Systems will
design and build two of the four major blocks at both its facilities in Glasgow
and in Barrow.
The MoD has approved a further £300m for the next phase ('Demonstration Phase
Contract') which will fund the Alliance for a further 18 months for continued
design evolution and procurement of long lead materials.
Looking forward
The future of Programmes is closely linked to the future requirements of the
UK's armed forces as well as its ability to generate profitable export business.
For Air Systems the outlook is for reduced sizes of aircraft fleets, leading to
increasing levels of weapons system upgrades, as customers seek to incorporate
technological improvements into existing platforms. There is continued demand
for training aircraft offering improved cost effectiveness and the ability to
train operators for the latest combat aircraft. In the UK this need is being
addressed by the advanced mission training capabilities of the Hawk Mk128. There
is increased interest in the potential of UAVs.
In the naval domain, the CVF programme and the longer term MARS (Military Afloat
Reach and Sustainability) programme to replace the RFA fleet with new ships by
2020 offer encouraging growth prospects. BAE Systems is a key participant in the
UK government's Maritime Industrial Strategy review.
In the medium to longer term, growth prospects are dependent on anticipated
higher activity, as UK development programmes move to production, and the
potential for Hawk, Typhoon and naval ships exports.
1 including share of equity accounted investments
2 earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance
costs and taxation expense
3 net cash inflow from operating activities after capital expenditure (net) and
financial investment, and dividends from equity accounted investments
4 as restated under International Financial Reporting Standards
Customer Solutions & Support
Business overview
2005 20044
Sales1 £2,923m £2,856m
EBITA2 £419m £497m
Cash inflow3 £850m £1,102m
Number of employees1 14,300 13,800
Order book1 £5.0bn £4.6bn
The Customer Solutions & Support (CS&S) business group provides support
solutions for current and future requirements. It addresses the trend within
armed forces to work more closely with industry to optimise their military
capability in the most effective manner. Key capabilities include the
integration and delivery of effective supply chain and logistics management,
spares, maintenance, repair and overhaul, capability upgrade, technical
information services, facilities management and manpower services. CS&S is the
prime contractor on the Al Yamamah contract.
During 2005, CS&S achieved EBITA2 of £419m (2004 £497m) on sales1 of £2,923m
(2004 £2,856m), and generated an operating cash inflow3 of £850m (2004 £1,102m).
As previously indicated, margins have been reduced within the Al Yamamah support
operations as the programme embraces greater indigenous Saudi content in repair
and overhaul work.
BAE Systems has a major presence in Saudi Arabia, as prime contractor for the
UK's largest export contract. The contract includes the provision of aircraft
and associated hardware, radar and communications support, manpower training and
infrastructure for the Royal Saudi Air Force. The business group employs some
4,600 people in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, of whom more than half are Saudi
nationals. Performance on the programme in Saudi Arabia remains on plan. The
Company continues to develop a greater indigenous presence in Saudi and has made
a number of investments in offset companies. The security of our employees is
the highest of our priorities and a significant investment is being made in new
residential facilities and increased security measures.
In the UK, CS&S has continued the evolution of its successful partnering
relationship with the UK Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) during 2005. This
relationship is underpinned by a partnering arrangement which is being refreshed
to reflect the drive for through-life capability management as emphasised in the
UK's Defence Industrial Strategy.
Key highlights in the air domain include securing major orders on VC10, Harrier,
a major third party support contract on E3D Sentry and Tornado.
A joint DLO/BAE Systems team gained MoD approval in November for the next phase
of Tornado support to deliver increased availability and operational flexibility
at much reduced cost. This 'ATTAC' programme (Availability Transformation:
Tornado Aircraft Contract) will integrate all non-engine Tornado support and
upgrade activity into one incentivised arrangement.
In the Naval domain, BAE Systems secured the sale of three ex-Royal Navy
frigates to Chile. This follows the successful reactivation and upgrade of the
two Type 22 frigates for Romania completed on schedule in April 2005.
In addition, the naval joint ventures continue to perform strongly. BAE Systems
has 50% interests in Fleet Support Limited and Flagship Training Limited. These
support and services joint ventures form an integral part of the CS&S strategy.
Flagship Training Limited, which manages the Royal Navy training establishments
and markets their courses to overseas customers, has had another strong year.
Fleet Support Limited also continued to perform well underpinned by the
partnering agreement at the UK's Portsmouth naval base.
CS&S continues to develop a coherent information and logistics infrastructure in
support of both new and in-service systems. Trilogi, a web-based documentation
system jointly developed by BAE Systems and the DLO, has now been selected for
more than 20 UK MoD programmes and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
In July 2005, the MoD announced that Defence Logistic Solutions (DLS), in which
BAE Systems was a partner, was unsuccessful in the bid for the Future Defence
Supply Chain initiative.
BAE Systems' Australian business has made considerable progress in realising its
strategy of becoming the Australian Defence Force's capability partner of choice
in integrated military systems and support solutions. An important milestone is
agreeing the wider industrial participation with Boeing on the Wedgetail
programme and with Lockheed Martin on JSF.
Looking forward
CS&S will continue to work closely with the UK Defence Logistics Organisation to
provide smarter, more integrated, support solutions on customer bases. Good
progress is being made on the future support model for the UK Tornado aircraft.
Opportunities for similar support arrangements exist on other UK platforms.
Looking forward, CS&S will continue to work to sustain a long-term presence in
Saudi Arabia, delivering on our commitments on current support contracts and
developing new business following the signing of the Understanding Document in
December 2005, between the governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the
UK.
1 including share of equity accounted investments
2 earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance
costs and taxation expense
3 net cash inflow from operating activities after capital expenditure (net) and
financial investment, and dividends from equity accounted investments
4 as restated under International Financial Reporting Standards
Integrated Systems & Partnerships
Business overview
2005 20044
Sales1 £1,834m £2,022m
EBITA2 £109m £95m
Cash inflow3 £17m £59m
Number of employees1 12,000 13,900
Order book1 £5.9bn £7.0bn
Integrated Systems & Partnerships is a portfolio of high-technology defence
systems businesses comprising the wholly-owned Integrated System Technologies,
Underwater Systems, and Atlas Elektronik, together with a 37.5% interest in the
pan-European MBDA joint venture, a 20.5% interest in Saab of Sweden and a 50%
interest in the Gripen International joint venture.
The Integrated Systems & Partnerships business group generated EBITA2 of £109m
(2004 £95m) on sales1 of £1,834m (2004 £2,022m). There was an operating cash
inflow3 of £17m (2004 £59m).
A significant restructuring of the Company's portfolio of European defence
systems business interests was accomplished in 2005.
The Eurosystems transaction, which was completed in April 2005, restructured the
AMS joint venture with the UK based defence systems activities being retained by
BAE Systems and with Finmeccanica retaining the Italian based activities.
As part of this transaction the electronic warfare systems and sensor systems
activities of the former UK based avionics business group were sold to
Finmeccanica.
The Eurosystems transaction realised a net cash inflow of £402m in 2005 with a
further £268m receivable subject to a put option exercisable by BAE Systems in
the three month period from the beginning of June 2007 and a call option by
Finmeccanica at any time to August 2007.
The group also reduced its equity interest in Saab from 34.2% to 20.5%
generating cash of £125m. In a revision to the earlier joint marketing
arrangements for the Gripen combat aircraft, Saab has now assumed responsibility
for winning new export business.
Integrated System Technologies
The Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) business was formed in May 2005 from
the UK based defence system activities of the AMS joint venture and existing BAE
Systems UK based C4ISR5 activities.
Insyte projects include the full scale engineering development of the Sampson
multi-function radar. A revised timetable has been agreed to address maturity in
the systems software, currently impacting the Principal Anti-Air Missile System
(PAAMS) for the Type 45 destroyer programme.
Insyte has been selected for two key UK transformational technology network
enabled capability systems, the Falcon communications infrastructure programme
and the Shamen communications electronic support measures system for the Royal
Navy.
Insyte also secured the order for the Maritime Composite Training System (MCTS)
working as the lead in the SEABRIDGE team, with partners Aerosystems
International, EDS, Flagship Training, MDA and Serco. MCTS will provide the
Royal Navy with a new shore-based warfare operator training capability that will
meet the training needs of the Type 45 destroyer in 2007, and current in-service
ships.
The creation of the Insyte business gives BAE Systems a new strength in the
integration of high technology systems.
MBDA (37.5%)
2005 saw MBDA's sales increase by 6% to €3.2bn and EBITA2 grow by 19%. This
performance was driven by significant deliveries of the Storm Shadow and Scalp
EG precision strike cruise missile to the French and UK customers in addition to
first deliveries to the Italian air force. Significant deliveries of the Mica
air-to-air missile to both the French air force and export customers also
underpinned the sales performance together with the entry into service of the
advanced air-launched anti-armour weapon system, Brimstone, to the Royal Air
Force.
MBDA's order book of €12.6bn at 31 December 2005 benefited from the award of the
design and development phase of the new Medium Extended range Air Defense System
(MEADS), which is a mobile ground-to-air missile defence system to provide
protection from future air and missile defence threats. MBDA's share of the
MEADS order was €512m. Other orders in the year included the French contract for
the development and production of over 2,000 of the new Mistral RMV air defence
missiles for the new FREMM multi-mission frigate programme for which MBDA is the
primary combat system partner. Two important export orders, including for India,
for the Exocet anti-ship weapon, were also achieved.
MBDA has made good progress on the multi-national Meteor and Aster-PAAMS
programmes. Meteor met its key development milestones in the year culminating in
flight trials of the missile on the Gripen and Rafale aircraft by the end of
December. Key firings were also successfully completed of the Aster 30 missile,
an integral part of the PAAMS air defence system for the Royal Navy's new Type
45 destroyers, while the new 180km-range Exocet Block 3 anti-ship weapon
commenced qualification.
The acquisition of the German missile company, LFK, was agreed at the end of
2005 and the process to obtain regulatory approval is currently in progress.
Atlas Elektronik
Atlas Elektronik, the Bremen-based naval systems business, had a year of good
progress with the completion of trials for the COSYS Malaysia system. Important
progress has also been made towards completing the development of the DM2A4
heavyweight torpedo and in successfully concluding the NATO trials for the IMCMS
mine counter measures system for the Netherlands and Belgium navies. Export
orders for DM2A4 contributed to good order intake in the year.
On 30 December, an agreement was entered into for the disposal of Atlas
Elektronik jointly to ThyssenKrupp and EADS for a cash consideration of
approximately €145m. In addition, pension and related liabilities valued at 31
December 2005 of €96m will remain with Atlas following the sale. In 2005, Atlas
Elektronik contributed sales of £216m and EBITA2 of £10m.
Completion of the sale, which is conditional upon regulatory clearances, is
expected to take place in the first half of 2006.
Underwater Systems
The main production order for Sting Ray Mod1, an autonomous
electrically-propelled lightweight torpedo, is well under way. The first
torpedoes will enter service in 2006. In April 2005, the Company secured an
extension to the existing support arrangements for the Spearfish torpedo in a
contract worth £58m over three years.
Securing a UK MoD agreement for the upgrade of the Spearfish heavyweight torpedo
will be an important feature in determining the future shape of the business.
Saab (20.5%)
2005 has seen a number of important developments in the Saab business. In
October, the company's participation in Neuron, a European Unmanned Combat Air
Vehicle demonstrator project was effectively confirmed with the Swedish
government announcement of its involvement in the programme.
In the same month, Saab signed a provisional contract to supply airborne
surveillance systems to Pakistan, with a value of approximately SEK5.5bn
(£400m). Important conditions do remain to be met before the contract becomes
effective and order intake should be recognised in 2006.
Saab financial performance for 2005 was affected by difficulties on a contract
for the supply of tactical mission systems for 18 Swedish helicopters.
Gripen International (50%)
Gripen International has been responsible for the design and sale of the export
variant of the Gripen new generation, multi-role combat aircraft. The aircraft
has been ordered by South African, Hungarian and Czech Republic air forces. The
first of the aircraft for South Africa flew in November, ahead of schedule.
Deliveries of Gripen combat aircraft to the Czech Republic continued as part of
a leasing arrangement, with final aircraft deliveries completed in August 2005.
Hungary has also ordered 14 Gripen with deliveries commencing in 2006. Both
these countries will be the first Gripen operators within NATO. The UK Empire
Test Pilots' School (ETPS) is also operating Gripen as an advanced fast jet
training platform for test pilots worldwide.
Looking forward
The Integrated Systems & Partnerships businesses are expected to face continued
budget pressures in their principal domestic and export markets. The substantial
order books and strong positions of the businesses in their respective market
sectors are expected to sustain activity over the near term. With a number of
development programmes maturing, the MBDA business is expected to progress to a
higher proportion of production activity going forward.
Realignment of the business portfolio continues with the completion of the sale
of Atlas Elektronik anticipated in the first half of 2006.
1 including share of equity accounted investments
2 earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance
costs and taxation expense
3 net cash inflow from operating activities after capital expenditure (net) and
financial investment, and dividends from equity accounted investments
4 as restated under International Financial Reporting Standards
5 Command, Control, Communications and Computing, Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance
Commercial Aerospace
Business overview
2005 20044
Sales1 £3,232m £2,924m
EBITA2 £179m £201m
Cash inflow3 £327m £226m
Number of employees1 12,500 12,600
Order book1 £29.5bn £20.9bn
The Commercial Aerospace sector comprises the Company's 20% interest in Airbus
together with the Aerostructures business and the regional aircraft asset
management and support activities.
In 2005, Commercial Aerospace generated EBITA2 of £179m (2004 £201m) on sales1
of £3,232m (2004 £2,924m). Airbus contributed EBITA2 of £273m (2004 £196m) on
sales1 of £3,002m (2004 £2,666m) after charging £227m of development costs (2004
£235m).
The Company's Regional Aircraft business has been impacted by poor lease rates
in a weak regional aircraft market and by adjustments to residual value
assumptions resulting from airlines operating in the US under Chapter 11
protection. Of the loss for the Regional Aircraft business of £95m in 2005,
approximately half arose from airlines moving into Chapter 11.
Airbus generated a strong operating cash inflow3 of £403m. Cash outflow3 at
Regional Aircraft was £73m.
Airbus
Airbus is the leading supplier of large commercial jets with 378 aircraft
delivered in 2005. Airbus offers a comprehensive range of passenger aircraft
from 100 seats to over 555 seats in the new A380 long range airliner.
In addition to commercial jet airliners Airbus produces freighter aircraft and
is developing the A400M military transport aircraft.
Good growth in the global market for large commercial jets above 100 seats has
continued through 2005. Orders for more than 2,000 aircraft were placed during
the year of which Airbus secured a net 1,055 representing 51% of the market.
Growth was driven by a combination of factors. Passenger traffic has continued
to recover as confidence returned following the terrorist activity in 2001. The
market has also benefited from the rise in low cost carriers, making air travel
affordable and accessible to a wider population. Similarly strong growth is
underway and expected to continue in certain regional markets, notably China,
India and in the Middle East.
In a drive to maximise value from its large order book Airbus continues to
reduce costs. A programme, targeting cost reductions across the Airbus business
of approximately £1bn between 2003 and the end of 2006, is on track.
Manufacturing and supply agreements are being implemented in growth markets
including China, to support growth and further reduce costs.
A number of major new product development programmes are presently underway at
Airbus.
A380
When it enters service towards the end of 2006 the A380 will be the world's
largest passenger airliner. It will typically be configured with 555 seats on
two full length passenger decks. The first flight of the A380 took place in
April 2005 with two further aircraft joining the flight development programme
during the year.
A350
The A350 is the latest addition to the Airbus product range. This 250 seat
all-new airliner programme was launched in October 2005 and the aircraft is
expected to enter service in 2010. The A350 will make use of a number of
technical innovations applied to the A380, such as new materials, to deliver
significant enhancements to range and fuel consumption over comparable earlier
generation aircraft.
A400M
The A400M is an advanced military transport designed with a load capacity of 37
tons and up to 120 personnel. 180 aircraft are being produced for seven
participating nations. The first export contract was secured in 2005 with an
order for eight aircraft from South Africa. The first flight of the A400M is
planned for the end of 2007, with entry into service scheduled for 2009.
Aerostructures
Aerostructures is a supply chain management and assembly business. It has
customer relationships with the major aircraft manufacturers providing airframe
components and assemblies for commercial aircraft and business jets. Contracts
include assemblies for Airbus commercial aircraft. The Aerostructures business
produces the leading and trailing edges for the A380 wing as well as wing
structures for the Boeing B777 and B767 and major structures for Raytheon's
Hawker 800XP business jet. All product lines met customer requirements in 2005.
In August 2005, BAE Systems sold Precision Aerostructures, its US based aircraft
component machining and fabrication facility.
In January 2006, the sale of the UK Aerostuctures business to Spirit AeroSystems
Inc. was announced, for a cash consideration of £80m. Completion is expected to
take place in the first half of 2006. In 2005, Aerostructures contributed sales
of £223m and EBITA of £8m.
Regional Aircraft
In 2005 Asset Management, BAE Systems' commercial aircraft leasing team,
successfully reached agreements securing over US$240m of income on over 100
aircraft from its Jet/Turboprop portfolio. These included lease deals with SN
Brussels for 23 Regional Jets and Eurowings/Air Dolomiti for 11 BAe 146
aircraft. Additionally the team successfully facilitated a number of airline
credit restructurings, securing ongoing income on portfolio aircraft.
Regional Aircraft derives 80% of its support business from spares and logistics
sales. An increasing proportion of this activity is provided under power by the
hour contracts that now cover over 50% of the regional jet fleet.
Looking forward
The commercial aviation market continues to grow despite the financial fragility
of many airlines, exacerbated by high oil prices.
Near-term prospects for Airbus remain good, with a strong order book. Airbus
aircraft deliveries are expected to continue to increase, with growth from low
cost carriers in the single-aisle market and as airline customers in Asia and
the Far East equip with longer-range aircraft.
The regional aircraft market remains difficult and underlying losses in the
support business will continue.
1 including share of equity accounted investments
2 earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, finance
costs and taxation expense
3 net cash inflow from operating activities after capital expenditure (net) and
financial investment, and dividends from equity accounted investments
4 as restated under International Financial Reporting Standards
Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December
Total Total
2005 2005 2004 2004
Notes £m £m £m £m
Continuing operations
Combined sales of Group and equity accounted 15,411 13,222
investments
Less: share of equity accounted investments (4,392) (4,405)
Revenue 11,019 8,817
Operating costs (10,579) (8,369)
Other income 247 110
Group operating profit excluding amortisation and
impairment of intangible assets
809 668
Amortisation (77) (13)
Impairment (45) (97)
Group operating profit 687 558
Share of results of equity accounted investments
excluding finance costs and taxation expense
373 348
Finance costs (11) (27)
Taxation expense (149) (105)
Share of results of equity accounted investments 213 216
Earnings before amortisation and impairment of intangible
assets, finance costs and taxation expense (EBITA)
1,182 1,016
Amortisation (77) (13)
Impairment (45) (97)
Finance costs of equity accounted investments (11) (27)
Taxation expense of equity accounted investments (149) (105)
Operating profit 900 774
Finance costs 2
Financial income 1,224 609
Financial expense (1,428) (758)
(204) (149)
Profit before taxation 696 625
Taxation expense 3
UK taxation (37) (58)
Overseas taxation (76) (110)
(113) (168)
Profit for the year from continuing operations 583 457
Loss for the year from discontinued operations 4 (28) (454)
Profit for the year 555 3
Attributable to:
BAE Systems shareholders 553 2
Minority interests 2 1
555 3
Earnings per share 5
Continuing operations:
Basic earnings per share 18.3p 14.2p
Diluted earnings per share 18.2p 14.2p
Discontinued operations:
Basic loss per share (0.9)p (14.8)p
Diluted loss per share (0.8)p (14.8)p
Total:
Basic earnings/(loss) per share 17.4p (0.6)p
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share 17.4p (0.6)p
Dividends per ordinary share
Prior year final paid 5.8p £186m
Current year interim paid 4.0p £129m
Current year final proposed 6.3p £203m
Consolidated balance sheet
as at 31 December
2005 2004
Notes £m £m
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 8,217 6,115
Property, plant and equipment 1,704 1,746
Investment property 218 155
Equity accounted investments 6 1,721 1,469
Other investments 9 66
Other receivables 912 511
Other financial assets 65 -
Deferred tax assets 1,331 1,090
14,177 11,152
Current assets
Inventories 485 498
Trade and other receivables including amounts due from customers for contract 1,877 2,198
work
Current tax 20 -
Other investments 634 763
Other financial assets 54 -
Cash and cash equivalents 2,581 1,651
5,651 5,110
Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale 407 -
6,058 5,110
Total assets 20,235 16,262
Non-current liabilities
Loans (3,534) (2,113)
Trade and other payables (432) (464)
Retirement benefit obligations 7 (4,101) (3,210)
Other financial liabilities (45) -
Deferred tax liabilities (23) (14)
Provisions (375) (241)
(8,510) (6,042)
Current liabilities
Loans and overdrafts (905) (951)
Trade and other payables (7,006) (6,154)
Other financial liabilities (81) -
Current tax (316) (200)
Provisions (343) (250)
(8,651) (7,555)
Liabilities directly associated with non-current assets and disposal groups held (270) -
for sale
(8,921) (7,555)
Total liabilities (17,431) (13,597)
Net assets 2,804 2,665
Capital and reserves
Issued share capital 8 80 143
Share premium 8 782 412
Equity option of convertible preference shares 8 78 -
Other reserves 8 4,720 5,323
Retained earnings 8 (2,872) (3,223)
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent1 2,788 2,655
Minority interests 8 16 10
Total equity1 2,804 2,665
1 2004 includes £266m non-equity shareholders' funds
Approved by the Board on 22 February 2006 and signed on its behalf by:
M J Turner Chief Executive
G W Rose Group Finance Director
Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December
2005 2004
Notes £m £m
Profit/(loss) for the year
Continuing operations 583 457
Discontinued operations (28) (454)
555 3
Taxation expense (includes £1m (2004 £7m) from discontinued
operations) 114 175
Share of results of equity accounted investments (213) (216)
Net finance costs (includes £3m (2004 £nil) from discontinued
operations) 207 149
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 524 861
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 2 12
(Gain)/loss on disposal of investment property (43) (40)
(Gain)/loss on disposal of business - continuing operations 12 -
(Gain)/loss on disposal of business - discontinued operations 8 -
Impairment of other investments 2 5
Cost of equity-settled employee share schemes 16 8
Movements in provisions 99 46
Increase in liabilities for retirement benefit obligations (98) (7)
(Increase)/decrease in working capital:
Inventories 54 (58)
Trade and other receivables (4) 703
Trade and other payables 864 709
Cash inflow from operating activities 2,099 2,350
Interest paid (213) (197)
Interest element of finance lease rental payments (17) (27)
Taxation paid (27) (31)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,842 2,095
Dividends received from equity accounted investments 88 69
Interest received 99 66
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (318) (343)
Capital expenditure on investment property (12) -
Purchases of intangible assets (17) (23)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 30 81
Proceeds from sale of investment property 54 50
Proceeds from sale of non-current investments 30 -
Purchase of non-current other investments (17) (50)
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings 9 (2,262) (663)
Net cash acquired with subsidiary undertakings 9 128 113
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary undertakings 9 460 -
Cash and cash equivalents disposed of with subsidiary undertakings 9 1 -
Proceeds from sale of equity accounted investments 9 125 -
Net proceeds from sale/(purchase) of other deposits/securities 45 (51)
Net cash outflow from investing activities (1,566) (751)
Capital element of finance lease rental payments (89) (141)
Proceeds from issue of share capital 373 -
Equity dividends paid (315) (281)
Dividends paid on preference shares (21) (21)
Cash inflow from loans 1,005 -
Cash outflow from repayment of loans (357) (219)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities 596 (662)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 872 682
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 1,650 970
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (31) (2)
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2,491 1,650
Cash and cash equivalents 2,581 1,651
Overdrafts (90) (1)
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2,491 1,650
Consolidated statement of recognised income and expense
for the year ended 31 December
2005 2004
£m £m
Currency translation on foreign currency net investments:
Subsidiaries 53 (56)
Equity accounted investments (23) (59)
Change in fair value of Exchange Property - 13
Adjustment to interest in net assets of Saab AB - 2
Amounts charged to hedging reserve (688) -
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes:
Subsidiaries (652) (838)
Equity accounted investments (72) (111)
Current tax on items taken directly to equity (3) -
Deferred tax on items taken directly to equity:
Subsidiaries 193 281
Equity accounted investments 276 35
Net income recognised directly in equity (916) (733)
Profit for the year 555 3
Total recognised income and expense (361) (730)
Adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39 422 -
61 (730)
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders (363) (730)
Minority interest 2 -
(361) (730)
Notes to the accounts
1 Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The Group has adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as
adopted for use in the EU in its consolidated accounts for accounting periods
from 1 January 2005. The financial statements for the year ended 31 December
2005 have been prepared in accordance with all IFRS's including Standing
Interpretations Committee and International Financial Reporting Interpretations
Committee interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
(IASB).
In preparing this financial information, the Group has decided to adopt early
the amendment issued in December 2004 to IAS 19 Employee Benefits - Actuarial
Gains and Losses, Group Plans and Disclosures.
With effect from 1 January 2005 the Group has adopted IAS 39 Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (IAS 39). The effect of adopting IAS 39
at 1 January 2005 is presented as a movement in the Group's consolidated
statement of recognised income and expense for 2005.
The financial information for the year to 31 December 2004 has been prepared on
the same basis with the exception of IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Disclosure
and Presentation (IAS 32) and IAS 39 which have been applied from 1 January
2005. The comparative financial information for financial assets and financial
liabilities are accounted for on the basis of applicable UK Generally Accepted
Accounting Practices (UK GAAP).
Basis of preparation
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 financial assets and financial
liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit or
loss.
2 Finance costs
2005 2004
£m £m
Interest income 123 57
Net present value adjustments 23 10
Expected return on pension scheme assets 632 542
Net gain on remeasurement of financial instruments 159 -
Net gain on remeasurement of embedded derivative 59 -
Foreign exchange gains 228 -
Financial income 1,224 609
Interest expense:
On bank loans and overdrafts (13) (11)
On finance leases (17) (25)
On bonds and other financial instruments (253) (190)
On preference debt (27) -
(310) (226)
Facility fees (10) -
Net present value adjustments (25) (11)
Interest charge on pension scheme liabilities (633) (521)
Net loss on remeasurement of investments at fair value through profit or loss (75) -
Net loss on remeasurement of financial instruments at fair value through profit (217) -
or loss
Foreign exchange losses (158) -
Financial expense (1,428) (758)
Net finance costs (204) (149)
Additional analysis of finance costs
2005 2004
£m £m
Finance costs - Group (204) (149)
Finance costs - share of equity accounted investments (11) (27)
(215) (176)
Analysed as:
Net interest:
Interest income 123 57
Interest expense (310) (226)
Facility fees (10) -
Net present value adjustments (2) (1)
Share of equity accounted investments (11) (30)
(210) (200)
Other finance costs - Group (5) 21
Other finance costs - share of equity accounted investments - 3
(215) (176)
3 Taxation expense
2005 2004
£m £m
Current tax expense
UK corporation tax
Current tax (105) (1)
Double tax relief 14 -
Adjustment in respect of prior years 33 19
(58) 18
Overseas tax charges
Current year (91) (41)
Adjustment in respect of prior years 18 (12)
(73) (53)
(131) (35)
Deferred tax expense
UK
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (22) (73)
Adjustment in respect of prior years 43 (3)
Overseas
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 4 (57)
Adjustment in respect of prior years (28) -
Attributable to recoverable deferred tax assets 21 -
18 (133)
Taxation expense (113) (168)
4 Discontinued operations
Eurosystems
On 29 April 2005, the Group announced the completion of the Eurosystems transaction with Finmeccanica SpA.
The Eurosystems transaction comprised the sale of BAE Systems Avionics Limited and the UK communications
business, and the dissolution of AMS, the 50/50 joint venture of BAE Systems and Finmeccanica. BAE Systems
Avionics Limited represented substantially all of the previously reported Avionics business group.
BAE Systems Avionics Limited and Galileo Avionica SpA merged to form a new Avionics business owned 75% by
Finmeccanica and 25% by BAE Systems. The Group's 25% interest in the newly merged business is subject to a
put option exercisable by BAE Systems in the three month period from the beginning of June 2007 and a call
option by Finmeccanica at any time to August 2007. At completion, BAE Systems received net consideration of
£374m plus an £89m working capital adjustment. BAE Systems will receive a further amount of £268m upon the
exercise of either the put or call option over the remaining 25% stake. Accordingly, the Group is treating
the remaining amount of £233m, after discounting to the balance sheet date, as deferred consideration as it
does not exercise any control or significant influence over the new Avionics business. BAE Systems sold its
UK communications business to Selenia Communications Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica, for
£25m in cash.
The results from the discontinued operations, which have been included in the consolidated income statement,
are derived as follows:
2005 2004
£m £m
Revenue 111 365
Expenses (127) (328)
EBITA (16) 37
Goodwill impairment - (484)
Finance costs, net (3) -
Loss before taxation (19) (447)
Taxation (1) (7)
Loss for the year (20) (454)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (8) -
Loss for the year from discontinued operations (28) (454)
The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations at the date of disposal were as follows:
2005
£m
Intangible assets 731
Property, plant and equipment 87
Inventories 104
Trade and other receivables 172
Deferred tax assets 4
Cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts (1)
Trade and other payables (354)
Provisions (32)
Net assets 711
Consideration:
BAE Systems Avionics Limited (including working capital adjustment) 731
UK communications business 25
756
Less:
Deferred consideration (268)
Total consideration received, in cash 488
Transaction costs paid (37)
Net cash inflow from sale of subsidiary entities 451
Net cash inflow from sale of subsidiary entities 451
Overdrafts disposed of with subsidiary entities 1
452
5 Earnings per share
2005 2004
Basic Basic and
pence per diluted
share Diluted pence
pence per
share per share
£m £m £m
Profit for the period attributable to equity 553 553 2
shareholders
Preference dividends - 27 (21)
Profit/(loss) for the period after adjusting
for preference dividends 553 17.4 580 17.4 (19) (0.6)
Represented by:
Continuing operations 581 18.3 608 18.2 435 14.2
Discontinued operations (28) (0.9) (28) (0.8) (454) (14.8)
Add back/(deduct):
Net financing charge/(credit) on
pensions, post tax 1 1 (15)
Uplift on acquired inventories, post tax 31 31 4
Market value movements on derivatives,
post tax 3 3 -
Amortisation of intangible assets,
post tax 54 54 13
Impairment of goodwill 45 45 581
Underlying earnings 687 21.6 714 21.4 564 18.4
Represented by:
Continuing operations 715 22.5 742 22.2 534 17.4
Discontinued operations (28) (0.9) (28) (0.8) 30 1.0
687 21.6 714 21.4 564 18.4
Millions Millions Millions
Weighted average number of shares used in calculating
basic earnings per share 3,183 3,183 3,058
Add:
Incremental shares in respect of employee
share schemes 21 -
Incremental shares in respect of
convertible preference shares 128 -
Weighted average number of shares used in
calculating diluted earnings per share 3,332 3,058
Underlying earnings per share is presented in addition to that required by IAS 33 Earnings per share (IAS 33)
as the directors consider that this gives a more appropriate indication of underlying performance.
In accordance with IAS 33, the 2004 diluted earnings per share calculations are without reference to
adjustments in respect of outstanding share options and convertible preference shares, as assumed conversion
would be anti-dilutive.
6 Equity accounted investments
Share of net Purchased Carrying
assets goodwill value
£m £m £m
At 31 December 2004 (154) 1,623 1,469
Adoption of IAS 39 770 - 770
At 1 January 2005 616 1,623 2,239
Share of results after tax 213 - 213
Acquired through acquisition 23 - 23
Disposal 140 (136) 4
Reduction in shareholding (62) (68) (130)
Dividends receivable (88) - (88)
Market value adjustments in respect of derivative financial
instruments, net of tax
(470) - (470)
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes, net of tax (47) - (47)
Foreign exchange adjustment (8) (15) (23)
At 31 December 2005 317 1,404 1,721
As stated in note 1, the Group has adopted IAS 39 from 1 January 2005. As a result, the Group is required
to recognise its share of the market value of the equity accounted investments' derivative contracts as at
1 January 2005.
On 25 February 2005, the Group announced the sale of 13.2 million B series shares in the capital of Saab AB
for a net consideration of £125m. Following the sale and subsequent conversion of 1.2m A series shares to B
series shares and the exercise of the over allotment option of a further 1.8m B series shares, BAE Systems
owns 20.5% of Saab AB.
7 Post retirement benefit schemes
2005 2004
UK UK
defined US and US defined US and US
benefit other health benefit other health
pension pension care pension pension care
plans plans plans Total plans plans plans Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Present value of
unfunded obligations
- (145) - (145) - (73) - (73)
Present value of funded
obligations
(15,492) (2,130) (144) (17,766) (13,074) (1,335) (108) (14,517)
Fair value of scheme
assets
10,833 1,628 92 12,553 9,199 944 39 10,182
Total IAS 19 deficit, (4,659) (647) (52) (5,358) (3,875) (464) (69) (4,408)
net
Allocated to equity
accounted investments1 1,210 - - 1,210 1,198 - - 1,198
Group's share of IAS 19
deficit, net (3,449) (647) (52) (4,148) (2,677) (464) (69) (3,210)
Group's share of IAS 19
deficit of equity
accounted investments (303) - - (303) (370) - - (370)
Represented by:
Pension receivables
(within non-current
receivables) - 20 - 20 - - - -
Retirement benefit
obligations (3,449) (600) (52) (4,101) (2,677) (464) (69) (3,210)
Liabilities directly
associated with
non-current assets and
disposal groups held
for sale - (67) - (67) - - - -
(3,449) (667) (52) (4,168) (2,677) (464) (69) (3,210)
Group's share of IAS 19
deficit, net (3,449) (647) (52) (4,148) (2,677) (464) (69) (3,210)
1 Certain of the Group's equity accounted investments participate in the Group's defined benefit plans. As
these plans are multi-employer plans the Group has allocated an appropriate share of the IAS 19 pension
deficit to the equity accounted investments based upon a reasonable and consistent allocation method
intended to reflect a reasonable approximation of the equity accounted investments' share of the deficit.
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.
8 Reserves
Attributable to equity holders of the parent
Equity
Issued option of
Share Share preference Other Retained Minority Total
capital premium shares reserves earnings Total interest equity
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Balance at 1 January
2004 143 412 - 5,425 (2,301) 3,679 10 3,689
Total recognised income
and expense - - - (102) (628) (730) - (730)
Share based payments - - - - 8 8 - 8
Ordinary share dividends - - - - (281) (281) - (281)
Preference share
dividends - - - - (21) (21) - (21)
At 31 December 2004 143 412 - 5,323 (3,223) 2,655 10 2,665
Adoption of IAS 32 and
IAS 39 (66) - 78 691 (281) 422 - 422
At 1 January 2005 77 412 78 6,014 (3,504) 3,077 10 3,087
Reclassification1 - - - (636) 636 - - -
Total recognised income
and expense - - - (658) 295 (363) 2 (361)
Share based payments - - - - 16 16 - 16
Shares issued 3 370 - - - 373 - 373
Other - - - - - - 4 4
Ordinary share
dividends - - - - (315) (315) - (315)
At 31 December 2005 80 782 78 4,720 (2,872) 2,788 16 2,804
1 At 31 December 2004, the fair value reserve of £636m represented the unrealised gain on the Group's
holdings in the shares of Vodafone Group Plc that arose on uplifting the shares from historical cost to
market value at that date. On adoption of IAS 32, and in accordance with IFRS 1, the Group's holding in
these shares was designated as a financial asset at fair value through profit or loss. As a result from 1
January 2005, movements in the market value of these shares will be recorded through the income statement.
Accordingly, this has been reclassified into retained earnings.
9 Cash flows in relation to acquisitions and disposals
United Other Total Avionics Precision Total Saab Total
Defense acquisitions acquisitions Aerostructures disposals
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Cash (consideration)/
pro-ceeds (2,204) (58) (2,262) 451 9 460 125 (1,677)
Cash and cash
equivalents net of
overdrafts acquired/
disposed 130 (2) 128 1 - 1 - 129
Acquisitions and (2,074) (60) (2,134) 452 9 461 125 (1,548)
disposals
Debt acquired on
acquisition of
subsidiary (283) (5) (288) - - - - (288)
(2,357) (65) (2,422) 452 9 461 125 (1,836)
10 Aircraft financing contingent liabilities
31 December 1 January 31 December
2005 2005 2004
£m £m £m
Potential future cash flow payments in respect of
aircraft financing obligations
460 628 755
Anticipated aircraft values (391) (604) (727)
Adjustments to net present values (4) (4) (5)
Net exposure provided 65 20 23
As stated in note 1, the Group has adopted IAS 39 from 1 January 2005. As a result the Group has restated the
amounts shown above to the appropriate exchange rate as at 1 January 2005. In accordance with IFRS 1, the
Group is not required to restate comparative information which is presented under UK GAAP.
The Group has provided residual value guarantees (RVGs) in respect of certain commercial aircraft sold. At 31
December 2005 the Group's exposure to make future payments in respect of these arrangements was £460m (31
December 2004 £755m). Certain of these arrangements are covered by a Financial Risk Insurance Programme
(FRIP) under which the Group would place reliance on insurance cover for the anticipated aircraft values if
the guarantees were called.
After taking account of the FRIP and independent appraisal valuations the directors consider that the Group's
net exposure to these guarantees is covered by the provisions held, and the residual values of the related
aircraft.
The Group is also exposed to actual and contingent liabilities arising from commercial aircraft financing and
RVGs given by Saab AB and Airbus SAS. Provision is made against the expected net exposures on a net present
value basis. The Group's share of such exposure is limited to its percentage shareholding in each of these
equity accounted investments.
11 Events after the balance sheet date
On 31 January 2006, the Group agreed the disposal of its UK Aerostructures
business to Spirit AeroSystems Inc. for £80m in cash.
12 Transition to International Financial Reporting Standards
As stated in note 1, these are the Group's first consolidated financial
statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Group published its transition
document on 28 April 2005 explaining the balance sheet and income statement
impact for the Group of the transition to IFRS. In preparing its opening IFRS
balance sheet, the Group has adjusted amounts previously reported in financial
statements prepared in accordance with UK GAAP.
The most significant changes at the date of transition to IFRS for the Group
between reporting on a UK GAAP basis and IFRS are as follows:
• the consolidation of the regional aircraft financing special
purpose entities under IFRS;
• the recognition, on the balance sheet, of pension scheme
liabilities, after allocation to joint ventures and associates;
• the inclusion of a fair value charge in respect of outstanding
employee share options;
• the cessation of goodwill amortisation;
• no longer recognising proposed dividends as a liability at the
balance sheet date.
The most significant changes on adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39 are as follows:
• the recognition, on the balance sheet, of all financial
instruments as either financial assets or financial liabilities;
• the separate accounting treatment as a liability of the embedded
derivative in the Vodafone Exchangeable Bond;
• the reclassification of the debt component of the convertible
preference shares as a liability.
13 Annual General Meeting
This year's Annual General Meeting will be held on 4 May 2006. Details of the
resolutions to be proposed at that meeting will be included in the notice of
Annual General Meeting that will be sent to shareholders at the end of March
2006.
14 Other information
The financial information for the years ended 31 December 2005 and 31 December
2004 contained in this preliminary announcement was approved by the Board on 22
February 2006. This announcement does not constitute statutory accounts of the
Company within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.
Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2004 have been delivered to
the Registrar of Companies. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December
2005 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's
Annual General Meeting.
The auditors have reported on both these sets of accounts. Their reports were
not qualified and did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the
Companies Act 1985.
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