Dassault net profit up 10%, confident on fighter sales

France's Dassault Aviation today posted a 10% rise in net profit to $536 million and expressed confidence about foreign sales of its Rafale fighter plane.

"Concerning military aircraft, there are decisive opportunities... Concerning the Rafale and drones," the company said in presenting its 2011 results.

Dassault chief executive Charles Edelstenne lauded the qualities of the Rafale, which was selected by India to modernise its fighter fleet, and is holding exclusive talks for a massive order for 126 aircraft worth $12 billion.

The Rafale, Dassault's state-of-the-art jet designed to replace the Mirage, has so far only been sold to the French military.

Dassault is also vying for a contract for 36 fighters from Brazil.

However, the difficult market for business jets led to a drop in deliveries of its Falcon and a drop in sales by 21% at 3.3 billion euros.

"A recovery in the business aviation market is underway but its future is uncertain," said the company.

Edelstenne said that while business was good last year China and South America, the US, the European and Middle East markets had yet to pick up.