PARIS, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Airbus is holding off

taking a charge for 2,500 newly announced job cuts in its

Defence and Space unit as it assesses their financial impact,

the company told analysts on Wednesday.

"We are currently in the early-stage assessment of the

potential financial impact and a restructuring provision is

expected to be recognised once necessary conditions are

fulfilled," investor relations head Helene Le Gorgeu said in a

pre-results webcast made public on the planemaker's website.

Headcount in the main civil jets business rose more slowly

in the third quarter than in the second, weighing less on

profitability, she added in the 10-minute presentation, which

marks the start of a 'quiet period' ahead of Oct. 30 results.