PARIS — The French company Naval Group, formerly DCNS, has reported a doubling of orders for the first half of 2017, compared to a year ago, thanks to a French order for an intermediate frigate program and the Australian submarine fleet.

Meanwhile, Marie-Pierre de Bailliencourt, formerly general manager, has left the naval shipbuilder following differences with Chairman Hervé Guillou, afternoon daily Le Monde reported April 21.

“This departure comes at the worst time as the treaties that will bind France and Australia for 50 years are being put in place,” Le Monde reported.

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A spokesman for Naval Group declined to confirm the media report.

Naval Group is prime contractor on the AUD $50 billion (U.S. $40 billion) Australian Future Submarine Program, with Lockheed Martin supplying the combat system integrator.

The company has appointed Jean-Michel Billig as director of the Australian submarine program, the spokesman said. That appointment is due to come into effect in the next few days.

Billig previously worked at Zodiac Aerospace, an aircraft equipment supplier being acquired by Safran.

Orders to June 30 rose to €2.61 billion (U.S. $3.05 billion) from €1.26 billion a year ago, bringing the total order book to €12.5 billion, the company reported July 21.

The boost in orders includes the nuclear attack submarine and upgrade of the La Fayette frigate for the French Navy, services, equipment, the intermediate frigate and the Australian submarine initiative, the company said.

Operating profit climbed 90 percent to €84.7 million from €44.6 million, lifting the operating profit margin to 5 percent of sales from 3.1 percent.

Sales rose 21 percent to €1.7 billion, helped by domestic work on the multimission frigate, Barracuda nuclear attack submarine, maintenance on nuclear attack and ballistic missile nuclear submarines, and midlife upgrade of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

Net profit climbed 34 percent to €59.9 million from €44.6 million.

The outlook for 2017 is “continued improvement of profit and operating profitability,” with a 10-15 percent rise in net profit compared to a year ago, the company said. “A slight increase” in sales is expected.

Naval Group appointed de Bailliencourt two and a half years ago as the effective No. 2 to the chairman, according to specialist publication Mer et Marine. De Bailliencourt specialized in international sales and played a key role in Naval Group winning last year the Australian tender for the Future Submarine Program.

The company announced last month a change of name to Naval Group from DCNS in a bid to break from its past as a French arsenal dating back to 1624 and help boost its chances of winning international deals.

“By taking on the new name of Naval Group, we are reaffirming our international presence, not only to conquer new markets, but also to enhance our profile to attract talents (sic) and develop the loyalty of our employees,” Frank Le Rebeller, executive vice president for finance, procurement and legal, said in a statement with the results.

The French €3.8 billion frigate order comprises five intermediate frigates, with a first warship to enter service for the French Navy in 2025.

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