London, Jan 22, 2026, 08:50 GMT — Regular session
- BAE Systems shares slipped in early London trading, following a close near a recent peak.
- Britain handed out a £453 million contract to upgrade Typhoon radars, splitting the work among suppliers such as BAE and Leonardo.
- Attention now shifts to BAE’s February 18 results, which will provide fresh guidance following a robust defence-driven rally.
Shares of BAE Systems dipped Thursday despite Britain handing over a 453 million pound ($608 million) contract to upgrade radar systems on its Typhoon fighter jets.
The subdued action reflects investor hesitation: lots of defense headlines, yet uncertainty about how fast they’ll translate into new earnings upgrades, particularly following the stock’s recent sharp surge.
The Typhoon project matters because it’s part of a broader British effort to secure defence budgets and safeguard manufacturing, at a time when European governments are under pressure to strengthen air defences and shore up supply chains.
Britain announced that the Typhoon radar contract, awarded to BAE and Italy’s Leonardo among others, aims to bolster defenses against Russian threats. Defence Minister John Healey described the “cutting-edge radar capability” as essential, citing ongoing Russian drone strikes in Ukraine and incursions into NATO airspace. The government also highlighted export opportunities for the fighter jet, referenced a previous Typhoon sales agreement with Turkey, and confirmed plans to raise defence spending to 2.6% of GDP starting in 2027. 1
BAE slipped 0.6% to 2,050 pence (£20.50) by 0850 GMT, after starting the day at 2,033 pence. The shares had closed at 2,062 pence previously and notched a one-year peak at 2,159 pence, setting the stage for some profit-taking despite positive news. 2
BAE has been ramping up its U.S. workload, landing a $473 million deal to deliver 40 more M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer sets for the U.S. Army. The contract also covers support packages and refurbishment. Dan Furber, combat systems program director at BAE Systems, Inc., said the move “provides the firepower and operational advantage Soldiers need.” 3
BAE secured two U.S. Navy contracts totaling $98 million to modernise and maintain the USS Kansas City and USS Stockdale at its San Diego facility. Work on both ships is slated to start in May. “Our team looks forward to executing the scheduled maintenance work,” said Eric Icke, vice president and general manager of BAE’s Maritime Solutions in San Diego. 4
Defence stocks sometimes stumble even after positive contract news, especially when expectations outrun actual results. Investors have driven valuations higher across the board, but the market wants to see solid margins and cash flow, not just new order announcements.
The downside is clear: government budgets tighten, export efforts stall, or projects face delays, causing working capital to shift unfavorably. Even for BAE, consistent contract wins don’t eliminate the risk that timing and execution could falter in a given year.
Investors now turn to BAE’s full-year results on Feb. 18, seeking clues on sales growth, profitability, and cash flow. The stock, however, is already priced for near perfection, leaving little margin for error. 5
