Acquisition of United Defense by BAE Systems Cleared by Department of Justice; Closing Expected June 24, 2005

Contact:
Jayne Schmitt, Investor Relations
United Defense
jayne.schmitt@baesystems.com
(703) 312-6122

Doug Coffey, Media
United Defense Industries, Inc.
doug.coffey@baesystems.com
(703) 312-6121

ARLINGTON, VA, June 24, 2005 - United Defense Industries, Inc. (NYSE:UDI) announced that it has been notified that the U.S. Department of Justice has granted termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period with respect to the proposed acquisition of UDI by BAE Systems. The parties are now free to close the proposed acquisition. The closing is expected to occur on or about June 24, 2005, assuming the satisfaction of customary conditions to closing.

About United Defense Industries
United Defense designs, develops and produces combat vehicles, artillery, naval guns, missile launchers and precision munitions used by the U.S. Department of Defense and allies worldwide, and provides non-nuclear ship repair, modernization and conversion to the U.S. Navy and other U.S. Government agencies. To learn more about United Defense, visit http://www.uniteddefense.com.

About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space.

BAE Systems North America is one of America's foremost national security, aerospace and information systems companies. It is a leading provider of electronic and information-based systems and knowledge-based solutions that meet its customers' mission effectiveness and operational safety needs. BAE Systems North America employs more than 30,000 people at sites across the United States and the United Kingdom and generates more than $5 billion in annual sales.

Forward-Looking Statements
Information in this release may involve guidance, expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. All forward looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to United Defense Industries, Inc., as of the date of the release, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward looking statements. The statements in this release are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences. Please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and in our other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of the factors and risks associated with our business.