Adds background on marine systems in paragraphs 13 and 14, background on tariffs in paragraphs 16 and 17 and CEO comments in paragraphs 15 and 18; updates shares in paragraph 19

By Aatreyee Dasgupta and Mike Stone

April 23 (Reuters) - General Dynamics GD.N reported a 27% rise in first-quarter profit on Wednesday, driven by recovery in its aerospace segment as well as sustained strength in its defense business.

The aerospace unit, which makes Gulfstream business jets, posted a 45% increase in revenue in the reported quarter, compared to the same quarter a year ago.

Earnings at the unit were up 69% as deliveries hit 36 in the quarter, up from 24 a year ago.

The company's new Gulfstream G800 jet received certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency on April 16. The aircraft can seat up to 15 passengers and has a maximum range of 8,200 nautical miles, according to the company's website.

The defense giant, however, reported that its business jet orders fell compared with the previous quarter.

General Dynamics has been hampered in recent quarters by delayed jet engine supplies and longer certification times that have kept the company from completing deliveries on schedule.

The Reston, Virginia-based company reported quarterly profit of $994 million or $3.66 per share, beating analyst estimates of $3.50 and up from $799 million or $2.88 per share a year ago. Revenue of $12.2 billion also beat Wall Street analyst estimates of $11.9 billion.

Defense contractors continued to benefit from strong demand for weapons and other military equipment during the reported quarter owing to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

For the quarter ended March 30, the company's combat systems segment that makes weapon systems and military vehicles saw a 3.5% rise in revenue. Its nuclear-powered submarine-making marine systems segment also saw a 7.5% rise.

General Dynamics has received significant contract awards from the Pentagon for building the Navy's Virginia-class submarines, but is years behind schedule because of skilled labor shortages, design issues, and supply chain challenges stemming from the pandemic.

Earlier this month, marine drafters represented by the United Auto Workers at Electric Boat unit voted to authorize a strike, with the union citing "inferior compensation" for causing the labor shortage and delays.

Manufacturers who depend on global supply chains for the procurement of raw materials and product distribution are faced with uncertainties in the wake of the worldwide trade war stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies.

However, major U.S. defense contractors are mostly maintaining their financial forecasts for 2025, saying it is too soon to understand the impact of tariffs.

"We do not know the scope and threat of the tariffs issue at the moment, and that will not for a while," Novakovic said in the call.

Shares fell 3.5% during market hours.

(Reporting by Aatreyee Dasgupta and Mike Stone; Editing by Pooja Desai and Chizu Nomiyama)

((Aatreyee.Dasgupta@thomsonreuters.com;))