LONDON (AP) British defence and aerospace contractor BAE Systems says it is planning to shed almost 1,300 jobs following government spending cuts.

BAE said yesterday that most of the losses were related to the axing of contracts to supply Nimrod spy planes and Harrier fighter jets.

The Unite union has urged the government to think again about the cuts.National officer Bernie Hamilton said the government was denying vital equipment to the armed forces, while leaving employees uncertain of their futures.

BAE has about 40,000 employees in the United Kingdom.