Planemaker Dassault's H1 profits fall

PARIS, Aug 28 (Reuters) - French planemaker Dassault Aviation (AVMD.PA) posted lower first-half profits, with operating profit down 12.6 percent and net profit down 9.2 percent on the same period of 2007.

The group said it made a first-half operating profit of 202 million euros ($298.8 million), down from 231 million euros in the same period of 2007.

Its net profit fell to 167 million euros from 184 million a year ago and accounted for 10.8 percent of half-year sales.

It said it received orders worth 2.39 billion euros during the first six months of 2008, with Falcon business jets making up 79 percent and military combat planes the rest. (Reporting by Jessica Mead; Editing by Greg Mahlich)