Trading Statement

Babcock International Group PLC
23 March 2005


23 March 2005

                        Babcock International Group PLC

                         Pre-Close Trading Statement

Babcock International Group PLC (Babcock), the support services company, is
pleased to report that trading remains in line with its expectations at the time
of the interim announcement in November 2004. Integration of the Peterhouse
Group PLC businesses, acquired in June 2004, has been successfully completed and
we are on track to deliver in full the synergies outlined at that time.
Preliminary results for the year ending on 31 March 2005 will be announced on 26
May 2005.

New contracts and contract extensions secured since the interim results in
November 2004 total approximately £290 million. These contracts are across all
divisions and include the recently awarded refits of HMS Ark Royal and HMS
Atherstone, together worth approximately £22 million, as well as the maintenance
of overhead high voltage power lines in South Wales for an approximate value of
£25 million. New framework contracts with both Orange and Network Rail further
underpin growth in the telecommunications support business, Eve and in the Rail
business, First Engineering. With the nomination of the Babcock-led consortium,
Holdfast, as preferred bidder on the Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME)
a further £1 billion will be added to the order book on reaching financial close
in the first half of  2006.

Notwithstanding the expected downturn in the naval refit programme for 2005/06 -
of which nearly 70% has been secured by Babcock - new contract wins, the
achievement of preferred bidder status for RSME and a strong pipeline of bids in
all our other target markets all leave Babcock well positioned for continued
growth.


For further details please contact:

  Babcock International Group PLC
  Peter Rogers, Chief Executive                             020 7291 5000

  Financial Dynamics
  Rob Gurner                                                020 7269 7291

Notes to editors: About Babcock International Group PLC

Babcock International Group PLC is a support services business providing
technical services, training and facilities management to the defence and civil
sectors.  In the year to 31 March 2004 sales from continuing business were £438
million.

The Group operates in two principal sectors: Technical Services (engineering and
support services in defence, rail, marine and secure facilities sectors) and
Training & Support (support services, training and facilities management for the
defence and civil sectors).

Babcock's head office is in London and the Company's shares are quoted on the
London Stock Exchange.  For further information, please visit Babcock's website
at www.babcock.co.uk.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange