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Dassault operating, net profit lower, sees pending Rafale order
PARIS, Sept 16 (AFP) - The French aeronautic group Dassault Aviation posted a drop in first-half net and operating profit Thursday but expressed optimism it would soon land a major French contract for its Rafale fighter jet.
A Dassault statement said net profit fell to 119 million eurosmillion dollars) in the first six months of the year from 141 million in the same period a year earlier.
Operating profit fell to 155 million euros from 189 million.
Orders, on the other hand, rose to 1.32 billion euros from 1.02 billion, Dassault said.
A sales figure was not provided, but Dassault chairman Charles Edelstenne said "sales should be slightly higher than last year."
In February, Dassault reported 2003 sales of 3.298 billion euros.
Edelstenne said Thursday that the group expected an order shortly for 59 Rafale combat jets.
"We do not have it yet, but it is on the way and should not take much longer," he told reporters. "In a few days you will have all the details."
France's defense plans call for the purchase of a total 294 Rafales, including 234 for the air force and 60 designed for service with the French navy.
The number quoted Thursday corresponds to that forseen for delivery in 2003, funding for which has not yet been approved.
-AFP
PARIS, Sept 16 (AFP) - The French aeronautic group Dassault Aviation posted a drop in first-half net and operating profit Thursday but expressed optimism it would soon land a major French contract for its Rafale fighter jet.
A Dassault statement said net profit fell to 119 million eurosmillion dollars) in the first six months of the year from 141 million in the same period a year earlier.
Operating profit fell to 155 million euros from 189 million.
Orders, on the other hand, rose to 1.32 billion euros from 1.02 billion, Dassault said.
A sales figure was not provided, but Dassault chairman Charles Edelstenne said "sales should be slightly higher than last year."
In February, Dassault reported 2003 sales of 3.298 billion euros.
Edelstenne said Thursday that the group expected an order shortly for 59 Rafale combat jets.
"We do not have it yet, but it is on the way and should not take much longer," he told reporters. "In a few days you will have all the details."
France's defense plans call for the purchase of a total 294 Rafales, including 234 for the air force and 60 designed for service with the French navy.
The number quoted Thursday corresponds to that forseen for delivery in 2003, funding for which has not yet been approved.
-AFP