BAE Systems plc is a global aerospace, security, and defense company headquartered in London, England. BAE is a public limited company, listed on the London Stock Exchange as LSE: BA and is also a component of the FTSE 100 index. The company operates in the civil and military aerospace, defense electronics, naval vessels, munitions, and land warfare systems industries. BAE is the largest defense contractor in Europe and ranked seventh-largest in the world based on applicable 2021 revenues. With operations worldwide, BAE employs over 93,000 people. Major markets include the United Kingdom and the United States, where its BAE Systems Inc. subsidiary is one of the six largest suppliers to the US Department of Defense. Other significant markets include Australia, Canada, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Oman, and Sweden. The company was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems, the defense electronics, and naval shipbuilding subsidiary of General Electric Company plc. BAE Systems has a long and diverse history, succeeding various aircraft, shipbuilding, armoured vehicle, armaments, and defense electronics companies. The company has made several acquisitions since its formation in 1999, including the purchases of other defense contractors.