April 21 : Europe's largest defence technology group Thales on Tuesday reported first-quarter sales well above analyst forecasts, with revenues rising nearly 10 per cent organically driven by surging defence deliveries. The group posted quarterly sales of 5.32 billion euros ($6.27 billion), up 9.7 per cent organically from a year ago, as its defence division, which alone accounted for more than half of total sales, benefited from expanded capacity that lifted delivery rates across its portfolio.