Dassault not interested in Alcatel's Thales stake

PARIS, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Dassault Aviation (AVMD.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) reiterated on Thursday it was not interested in buying Alcatel Lucent's (ALUA.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) stake in defence electronics firm Thales (TCFP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and that its own 5 percent stake was up for sale.

Speculation of a sale of Alcatel's stake of more than 20 percent in Thales has risen following a management shake-up at the French telecoms equipment group, with Dassault and Airbus parent EADS (EAD.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) cited as potential buyers.

Asked at a news conference if he had changed his mind and would consider buying Alcatel's stake in Thales, Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Charles Edelstenne said, "No".

He also reaffirmed that Dassault wanted to sell its own 5 percent stake in Thales, but said "now is not the right time".

Dassault and Alcatel became core shareholders in Thales when it was privatised 10 years ago. Dassault has since left their shareholder pact with the French state and Alcatel has boosted its stake through a link-up in satellites.

Edelstenne was speaking as Dassault, the maker of Falcon business jets and Rafale and Mirage warplanes, unveiled a first-half net profit of 167 million euros ($247 million) and operating profit of 202 million euros on sales of 1.544 billion euros.

(Editing by Rory Channing)