BAE buys US intelligence units

BAE Systems unveiled a multimillion-pound deal to buy part of an American intelligence business yesterday in a move that will see former CIA and FBI workers join the company.

The group will buy three divisions of L-1 Identity Solutions, which all deal with security issues such as counter-terrorism, identity theft and money laundering, for $295.8m (£190m).

The three arms – SpecTal, Advanced Concepts and McClendon – all work alongside the intelligence sector in the US, providing consultancy, IT and engineering services to the industry. The acquisition will see more than 1,000 staff join BAE Systems.

Earlier this month, it was reported that BAE was looking to build a "war chest" for acquisitions ahead of an expected consolidation in the American defence sector.