BAE Systems Inc. will pay about $450 million to acquire MTC Technologies Inc., a provider of technical and professional services to the military and intelligence agencies.

BAE said the planned acquisition aligns with its goal to become the top-rated global defense and aerospace company by growing its business in the company’s six home markets: Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States. The deal also will expand its worldwide services businesses, the company said.

MTC Technologies will fit well within BAE because its offerings are complementary, BAE said. The purchase will position the organization to offer proven capabilities to a broader spectrum of customers, the company added.

When the sale is completed in the first half of 2008, MTC Technologies and its 2,900 employees will become part of BAE Systems’ Customer Solutions group, based in Arlington, Va., within the company’s Technology Solutions and Services business.

MTC is based in Dayton, Ohio, and ranks No. 55 on Washington Technology’s 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors. BAE ranks No. 15 on that list.