RNS Number:0893K
AEA Technology PLC
16 April 2003




                               AEA TECHNOLOGY PLC

                                PRE-CLOSE UPDATE

AEA Technology plc today issues a pre-close update in advance of the Company's
announcement of its preliminary results for the financial year ending 31 March
2003, due to be released on 19 June 2003.

During the financial year, the senior management team continued to focus on
delivering the strategy and improving performance. Overall, the Company
continued to trade in line with market expectations in the second half of the
financial year. Net debt is significantly reduced from the half year following
the sale of CFX and as a result of strong cash management. Its core businesses,
Rail and Environment, continued to make progress and Rail in particular had a
strong second half. The prospects remain promising for the coming year.

Within the development portfolio of businesses, AEA Battery Systems continued to
make good progress and remains on track to record a profit in the next financial
year. The business has successfully started volume manufacturing of batteries.
QSA has delivered a strong performance and the prospects remain good for the
coming year. At Accentus, the management team has closed the loss-making
businesses and significantly reduced the cost base.

The disposal programme is nearing completion following the disposal of the CFX
software business in February. The company is making progress on its remaining
disposal, that of the Nuclear Science business.

The Company was granted the authorisation to buy back up to 15% of its shares at
the EGM held on 25 July 2002. Since that date the Company has purchased
5,743,000 shares, representing 7.8% of the authorised total, at a cost of #9.6
million. The share buy back programme remains active. In addition the Company
paid #44.7 million as a special dividend on 31 August 2002.

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For further information, please contact:

Mark Herbert/ Catherine Lees
Bell Pottinger
07770 381608 / 020 7861 3877








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