Safran S.A. () is a French multinational aerospace, defence and security corporation headquartered in Paris. It designs, develops and manufactures both commercial and military aircraft engines; launch vehicle, spacecraft and missile propulsion systems; as well as various other aerospace and military equipment and devices. The main products manufactured are engines for various aircraft. The company was founded in 2005 through a merger between the aerospace engine manufacturer SNECMA and the electronics specialist SAGEM. Safran's subsequent acquisition of Zodiac Aerospace in 2018 significantly expanded its aeronautical activities.

Employing over 92,000 people and generating 27.31 billion euros in revenue in 2024, the company is listed on the Euronext stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50. As a holding company for many subsidiaries, the name was deemed suitable for the suggestion of direction, movement, and strategy. Safran translates as "rudder blade" and as "saffron", which the company highlights as one of the catalysts for early international trade. Production of the first rotary engine for airplanes, the Gnome Omega, started in 1909.

Safran Group

The Safran Group was created on 11 May 2005 with the merger of Snecma and Sagem SA.

By May 2015, Safran had created with Airbus Group a launcher joint venture called Airbus Safran Launchers.

This entity developed the Ariane 6 launch vehicle for its initial flights in July 2024.

In January 2017, Safran initiated a takeover of the aircraft interior supplier Zodiac Aerospace to create the third largest aerospace supplier with $22.5 billion revenue, behind United Technologies with $28.2 billion and GE Aviation with $24.7 billion; the new group will be 92,000-employee strong, with 48% of its business in aircraft systems and equipment, from landing gears to seats, 46% in propulsion and 6% in defense.

In February 2017, Christopher Hohn, a London-based investor and CEO of TCI Fund Management, opposed the acquisition deal with Zodiac, citing concerns about the target's debt levels. At the time, Hohn held 4% of Safran shares.

In May 2017, Safran announced the completion of the sale of its identity and security activities to Advent International for Euro 2.4 billion.

In February 2018, Safran took control of Zodiac Aerospace, significantly expanding its aircraft equipment activities. Zodiac Aerospace has 32,500 employees and generated sales of 5.1 billion euros for its fiscal year ended 31 August 2017.

This could threaten the dominance of Honeywell and United Technologies.

In July 2023, Safran agreed to acquire Raytheon subsidiary Collins Aerospace's actuation and flight controls business unit in an all-cash deal worth $1.8 billion. However, the Italian government used its Golden Share in Microtecnica to veto the sale in the belief it would give Safran the commercial ability to sabotage Eurofighter components production. RTX is legally challenging the use of the veto.

In September 2024, Safran acquired Preligens, a company that specialises in artificial intelligence for aerospace and defense, for $243.3 million and announced it would become a part of the Safran Electronics & Defense business area.

As of June 2025, Safran Aircraft Engines and Safran Electricals & Power operate facilities in Hyderabad in India to manufacture rotating turbine seals for the LEAP engine and electrical harnesses for the LEAP engine, Rafale jets, Falcon 10X and FADEC, respectively. Additionally, Safran plans to establish a new subsidiary — Safran Aircraft Engine Services India — in Hyderabad for maintenance and overhaul of Rafale's Snecma M88 engines of the Indian Air Force fleet by 2026-end. The project is expected to generate 150 jobs by inauguration and eventually an additional 750 jobs.

Safran is expected to establish an assembly line in M88 engine in India to support the 144 Rafale acquisition of the Indian Air Force.

Group organisation

The Safran group is divided into three main branches:

Aerospace propulsion

thumb|The [[CFM International CFM56, the most widespread turbofan, is produced by a 50-50 joint venture with GE.]]

The aerospace propulsion branch groups all operations concerning the propulsion of aeroplanes, helicopters, missiles, and launchers, for the civil aviation, military aviation, and space markets: design, production, marketing, testing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

  • Safran Aircraft Engines (formerly Snecma Moteurs)
  • Commercial & military engines, liquid propulsion for space launchers
  • Safran Helicopter Engines
  • Turboshaft engines for helicopters
  • Jet engines for training and support aircraft
  • Turbines for missiles and drones (Microturbo subsidiary)
  • APU (Microturbo subsidiary). Safran provides APU systems since 1962.

Flight-testing may happen in 2019 or 2020.

Other subsidiaries

  • Safran Test Cells, Inc.
  • Safran Oil Systems
  • Smartec
  • SMA Engines
  • Snecma Services Brussels
  • Snecma Suzhou
  • Snecma Xinyi Airfoil Castings

Aircraft Equipment, Defense and Aerosystems

thumb|right|[[EGTS|Electric Green Taxiing System made with Messier-Bugatti-Dowty]]

The aircraft equipment branch groups all design, production, sales, and support operations for systems and equipment used by civil and military airplanes and helicopters.

thumb|[[Boeing 777X carbon brakes made by Safran Landing Systems]]

  • Safran Landing Systems
  • Landing gear design, manufacture, and support
  • Wheels and carbon brakes for mainline commercial jets
  • Braking control and hydraulic systems
  • Safran Nacelles
  • Commercial airplane engine nacelles and thrust reversers
  • Safran Electrical & Power
  • Aircraft wiring and power distribution
  • Safran Electronics & Defense
  • Technologies and services in optronics, avionics, electronics and safety-critical software
  • Safran Aerosystems
  • Equipment and systems in fluid management and security
  • Safran Engineering Services
  • Engineering and consulting company

Other subsidiaries

  • SLCA
  • Sofrance
  • Technofan Inc.
  • OEMServices
  • Sagem Avionics
  • Vectronix
  • IdentoGO

Aircraft Interiors

  • Safran Cabin
  • Cabin interiors
  • Safran Seats
  • Passenger and technical seats
  • Safran Passenger Solutions
  • Cabin equipment and solutions focused on passenger comfort

Corporate affairs

Shareholder profile

  • Public: 81.3%
  • French state: 11.2%
  • Employees: 7.4%
  • Treasury shares: 0.1%

See also

  • Musée aéronautique et spatial Safran - Museum managed by Safran containing French heritage aircraft engines
  • List of aircraft engine manufacturers

References