Rolls-Royce to slash jobs, blames project delays

* To cut 1,500 to 2,000 jobs worldwide next year

* Already in talks on 140 job losses at UK plant

* Says responding to Airbus, Boeing delays, economic slump

* Shares down 1.5 percent

(Adds analyst comment, updates shares)

By John Bowker and Martina Fuchs

LONDON (Reuters) - British engine maker Rolls-Royce (RR.L) will shed between 1,500 and 2,000 jobs worldwide next year and is already in talks to cut 140 posts in Britain, where several companies have announced job losses in recent weeks.

The company, which employs about 39,000 people globally, said it would make the cuts in response to delays to major aerospace projects with Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA), as well as the wider economic downturn.

Shares in Rolls-Royce, which supplies the defence, aerospace, marine and energy sectors, were down 1.5 percent at 263.75 pence by 1249 GMT, valuing it at 4.8 billion pounds ($7.2 billion), having been down 4 percent in early trade.