What Happened
Defense Giant Sees Growth In GCAP, Missile Orders
BAE Systems has raised its free cash flow forecast for 2026 to about £3 billion, driven by customer advances and growing orders for its Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and missile systems. The company reported strong business across Electronic Systems, Air, and Platforms & Services, helping offset weaker growth in Maritime. BAE Systems has secured £33 billion in orders so far in 2026, including a £4.6 billion contract for GCAP and a A$1.3 billion contract for an Arctic over-the-horizon radar system. The company expects to return about £1.6 billion to shareholders in 2026, according to AeroTime.