BAE Systems 2025 Results Show 10 Percent Sales Growth and Record Backlog

This article is based on an official press release from BAE Systems.

BAE Systems reports record backlog and double-digit growth in 2025 results

BAE Systems announced its full-year financial results for 2025 this week, reporting a 10% increase in sales to £30.7 billion and a record order backlog of £83.6 billion. The company highlighted strong operational performance across all sectors, driven by a “new era of defence spending” and major export agreements.

According to the company’s statement, underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose by 12% to £3.32 billion, while underlying earnings per share (EPS) also increased by 12% to 75.2p. The Board recommended a final dividend of 22.8p, bringing the total dividend for 2025 to 36.3p, a 10% increase over the previous year.

In the official release, BAE Systems Group Chief Executive Officer Charles Woodburn commented on the results:

“Our results highlight another year of strong operational and financial performance, thanks to the outstanding dedication of our employees. In a new era of defence spending, driven by escalating security challenges, we’re well positioned to provide both the advanced conventional systems and disruptive technologies needed to protect the nations we serve now and into the future.”

Major program milestones and export wins

The company reported a strong orders intake of £36.8 billion for the year. A significant contributor was the UK Government’s agreement with Türkiye to acquire 20 Typhoon aircraft. BAE Systems stated this deal is anticipated to be worth £4.6 billion to the company and will help sustain Typhoon production and approximately 20,000 jobs across the UK.

In the maritime domain, Norway selected the Type 26 frigate for its future warship procurement program. The company noted that this £10 billion Government-to-Government agreement represents the UK’s largest-ever warship export deal by value. Additionally, the company laid the keel for HMS Dreadnought, the first of four new nuclear-deterrent submarines for the Royal Navy, at its Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.

BAE Systems also highlighted progress in the US market. The company secured a $1.2 billion contract to provide the US Space-Agencies with space-based missile tracking capabilities. In the land sector, the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) program reached its 500th delivery milestone, with the company executing full-rate production to meet the US Army’s requirement for nearly 3,000 vehicles.

Strategic partnerships and future technologies

The year also saw the launch of “Edgewing,” a joint venture with international industry partners in Italy and Japan for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). According to the press release, Edgewing will be accountable for the design and development of the next-generation combat aircraft. The company also noted the selection of its Malloy T-150 uncrewed air systems by the Royal Navy for logistical support during the Carrier Strike Group 2025 deployment.

2026 financial outlook

Looking ahead, BAE Systems provided guidance for the year ending December 31, 2026. The company expects sales to increase by 7% to 9% and underlying EBIT to grow by 9% to 11%. Underlying EPS is also projected to rise by 9% to 11%. Free cash flow is targeted to exceed £1.3 billion for the year.

The company also updated its three-year cumulative free cash flow guidance. For the period 2026–2028, BAE Systems expects cumulative free cash flow to be in excess of £6.0 billion. The guidance assumes an exchange rate of $1.32:£1, consistent with the actual 2025 rate.

Sources: BAE Systems