Marconi Electronic Systems - Definition and Overview

Marconi Electronic Systems was a division of The General Electric Company plc (GEC), formerly GEC-Marconi. It was demerged from GEC and merged with British Aerospace on November 30 1999 to form BAE SYSTEMS. GEC then renamed itself Marconi plc.

History

Marconi Electronic Systems represented the pinnacle of GEC's defence businesses which have a heritage of almost 100 years. The General Electric Company's (GEC) own history of military products dates back to World War I, its contribution to the war effort then included radios and bulbs. World War II consolidated this position, the company was involved in many important technological advances, most importantly radar.

Between 1945 and GEC's de-merger with its defence business in 1999 the company became one of the world's most important defence contractors. GEC's major defence related acquisitions included Associated Electrical Industries in 1967, Ferranti's defence business in 1990, Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering in 1995 and Tracor in 1998.

Marconi Electronic Systems was valued at £7.7bn at the time of its sale.