UPDATE 1-Ceradyne to close French plant, cut jobs

*French plant to close

*Most charges expected in Q2

ATLANTA, May 19 (Reuters) - Defense contractor Ceradyne Inc (CRDN.O) said on Tuesday that it plans to close a French plant, cutting about 95 positions, as it seeks to lower manufacturing costs.

The company said the plant in Bazet, France, would close later this year, and work done at the facility would be transferred to its German unit.

Ceradyne, which makes ceramic plates used in armor worn by U.S. soldiers, said it expects pretax charges of $11 million to $13 million tied to the closure, the majority of which will be recorded during the second quarter.

Ceradyne had said it was considering more job cuts last month, when it posted a 99 percent fall in first-quarter profit as orders fell. (Reporting by Karen Jacobs, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)