Airbus plans 2,000 job cuts in Defence and Space

European aerospace group Airbus has announced just more than 2,000 job cuts in Defence and Space, about 5% of its second-largest section, as it tries to address US competition in the satellites sector. But the cuts are not as serious as earlier announced.

The 2,043 total job reductions come after sizeable losses on satellites. But the group noted that there are not going to be compulsory redundancies. The group has key shares in European missile, fighter and space-launch programmes.

Germany expected to bear the brunt of Airbus job cuts

In October 2024, Airbus announced up to 2,500 job reductions in Defence and Space, or 7% of its staff size, after 1.5 billion euros of complications in satellites led by troubled OneSat. The latest cuts are due to be implemented by mid-2026.

Germany is expected to bear the largest share of the overall reductions. France, Britain and Spain shall come next. These four countries founded the aerospace group more than 50 years ago and the share of any cost cutting is a politically sensitive topic.