BAE System eyes further growth

British defence group BAE Systems today reported a 31% rise in annual earnings and said it expected a "further year of good growth" in 2009.

BAE, which has benefited from an increase in military spending to support forces fighting overseas, said underlying earnings were £1.9bn (€2.16bn) in 2008, up from £1.45bn (€1.65bn) a year earlier.