UPDATE 2-Umeco H1 operating profit from continuing ops falls

* Says confident that long-term prospects are robust

* Maintains interim dividend at 6.5 p/shr

* Cuts debt to 90.6 mln stg; says debt may rise in H2

* Says confident of meeting analyst estimates for FY

* Shares rise 5.8 pct (Adds CEO and analyst comments, share price)

By Kumar Alagappan

BANGALORE, Nov 4 (Reuters) - British aerospace parts supplier Umeco Plc (UMC.L)on Wednesday reported a 15.9 percent fall in first-half operating profit from continuing operations due to lower demand, but said it was confident that its long-term prospects are robust.

Shares of the company, which also makes composite materials for Formula One racing cars, were up 5.8 percent at 273.25 pence at 1350 GMT.

Umeco said it continued to cut costs and reduced its net debt to 90.6 million pounds ($148.8 million) at Sept. 30 from 120.2 million pounds at March 31.