BAE Systems closing 3 UK factories, cutting 500 jobs

BAE Systems closing 3 UK factories

LONDON — Defense contractor BAE Systems says it will close three factories in Britain with the loss of 500 jobs.

The affected plants are in the English cities of Telford, Leeds and Guildford.

BAE said Thursday that the decision followed the postponement of a U.K. Ministry of Defense contract for utility vehicles and a reduction in its work supporting British Army operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.