ROME (Reuters) - Italy's defence and aerospace group Leonardo reported on Tuesday rising orders and revenue in the first quarter of 2024, both pushed by the state-controlled group's electronics and helicopter sectors.

"We are fully focused on the execution of the industrial plan. The consolidation of the core defence business progresses very well thanks to the acceleration of the digitalisation processes, creating new revenue streams and generating cost efficiencies," chief executive Roberto Cingolani said in a statement.

New orders rose 14.9% year-on-year in the first three months to just over 5 billion euros ($5.39 billion) pro forma, or net of the full consolidation of the Telespazio joint venture, with France's Thales, from 2024.

Revenue rose 15.3% to 3.18 billion euros pro forma, driven by higher volumes in the electronics business.

($1 = 0.9284 euros)

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti, editing by Gianluca Semeraro)