BAE is a key member of the Eurofighter consortium

The UK firm, which last week said it was selling its 20% stake in planemaker Airbus, made a pre-tax profit of �491m ($920m) in the six months to 30 June.

This compares with �426m during the same period last year.

Half-year sales were up 21% to �8.2bn. BAE is selling its stake in Airbus to Franco-German EADS for 2.75bn euros (�1.87bn; $3.53bn).

EADS currently owns the remaining 80% of Airbus.

Typhoon order

"BAE Systems has delivered a good first half financial performance, with good programme schedule and cost execution right across the group," said chief executive Mike Turner.

BAE Systems announced the sale of its Airbus stake last week

Last month it was announced that Saudi Arabia is to buy 72 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from BAE, in a deal that could end up being worth more than �6bn to the firm.

BAE first said in April this year that it was considering pulling out of Airbus.

Its move comes as Airbus' giant A380 plane has been hit by production delays following problems with the wiring.