Dassault Aviation expects 2003 revenues to be down on those of 2002 "taking into account the current climate", but despite the unstable economic situation last year the company's net profit in 2002 rose to €312 million from €274 million in 2001. Turnover was almost stable at €3.44 billion from €3.47 billion the previous year. Dassault's profits came largely from its Falcon business jet division which recorded a turnover in 2002 of €2.23 billion, a slight drop from the €2.65 billion recorded in 2001. Thales saw an 8.2% increase in revenues for 2002 to €11.1 billion, largely due to gains in its defence business.
Source: Flight International