Safran

Safran S.A.

File:Safran logo.svg Logo since 2005
Company type	Public (S.A.)
Industry	Aerospace, defense, security
Predecessor	SNECMA, SAGEM
Founded	May 11, 2005 (2005-05-11) in Paris, France
Headquarters	Paris , France
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Aircraft engines, propulsion systems, aerospace and defense equipment
Revenue	€27.31 billion (2024)
Number of employees	92,000+ (2024)
Website	www.safran-group.com

Safran S.A. () is a global French corporation specializing in aerospace, defense, and security, with its main office located in Paris. The company is engaged in the design, development, and production of engines for both commercial and military aircraft, as well as propulsion systems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, and missiles. Additionally, it manufactures a range of aerospace and defense equipment. Established in 2005 through the merger of the aerospace engine producer SNECMA and electronics firm SAGEM, Safran broadened its aeronautical capabilities by acquiring Zodiac Aerospace in 2018.

Employing more than 92,000 people and generating €27.31 billion in revenue for 2024, Safran is listed on Euronext and forms part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 stock market indices.

Name

The designation Safran was chosen from a pool of 4,250 proposals, including 1,750 submitted by company employees. Serving as the parent entity for numerous subsidiaries, the name embodies concepts of guidance, motion, and strategic direction. The word Safran means both rudder blade and saffron, the latter representing an early catalyst for global trade.

Origins

The company’s roots trace back to 1905 when Louis Seguin founded Gnome, which produced the first rotary engine for aircraft in 1909. Gnome later merged with Le Rhône—founded in 1912 by Louis Verdet—to create Gnome et Rhône. This entity was nationalized in 1945 to form Snecma. By the year 2000, Snecma had transformed into the Snecma Group, expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions.

Sagem (Société d’Applications Générales de l’Électricité et de la Mécanique) was launched in 1925 by Marcel Môme. The company entered the telecommunications sector in 1939 by acquiring Société anonyme des télécommunications (SAT), and further diversified into measurement instruments with the purchase of Société de Fabrication d’Instruments de Mesure (Sfim) in 1999. By 2008, Sagem had divested its mobile and communication divisions; Sagem Mobile became known as Sagem Wireless in 2009.

Safran Group

The Safran Group was officially created on 11 May 2005 following the merger between Snecma and Sagem SA.

To counter SpaceX’s disruption of the launch vehicle market, Safran joined forces with Airbus in June 2014 to preserve European competitiveness. This collaboration resulted in Airbus Safran Launchers by May 2015, tasked with developing the Ariane 6 launch vehicle slated for maiden flights in July 2024.

In January 2017, Safran commenced acquiring Zodiac Aerospace, a supplier of aircraft interiors, forming the third-largest aerospace supplier globally with revenues of $22.5 billion and a workforce of approximately 92,000 employees. The business segments are divided into aircraft systems and equipment (48%), propulsion (46%), and defense (6%).

By May 2017, Safran finalized the divestiture of its identity and security operations to Advent International for €2.4 billion.

In February 2018, Safran completed its acquisition of Zodiac Aerospace, thereby enhancing its portfolio of aircraft equipment; at that time Zodiac employed around 32,500 people and reported €5.1 billion in sales for the fiscal year ending August 2017.

On 4 June 2018, Boeing and Safran announced a joint venture equally owned by both companies to develop, manufacture, and service auxiliary power units (APUs), aiming to compete against established market leaders Honeywell and United Technologies.

In July 2023, Safran reached an agreement to purchase Collins Aerospace’s actuation and flight controls division from Raytheon for $1.8 billion. However, this transaction was blocked by the Italian government due to concerns over Eurofighter component manufacturing; Raytheon is currently challenging this veto legally.

In September 2024, Safran acquired Preligens—a specialist in artificial intelligence for aerospace and defense—for $243.3 million; Preligens was integrated into Safran Electronics & Defense.

As of June 2025, Safran operates manufacturing sites in Hyderabad, India producing turbine seals for LEAP engines along with electrical harnesses used on LEAP engines, Rafale fighter jets, Falcon 10X aircraft, and FADEC systems. The company plans to launch Safran Aircraft Engine Services India in Hyderabad by late 2026 to provide maintenance support for Rafale’s Snecma M88 engines operated by the Indian Air Force—this initiative is expected to generate up to 900 jobs.

Group organisation

The Safran group is divided into three principal sectors:

Aerospace propulsion

This division covers the design, manufacturing, marketing, testing, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of propulsion systems for both civilian and military aircraft, missiles, and launch vehicles.

• Safran Aircraft Engines (previously known as Snecma Moteurs)
  • Engines for commercial and defense applications; liquid propulsion systems for space launch vehicles
• Safran Helicopter Engines
  • Turboshaft engines designed for helicopters
  • Jet engines intended for training and support aircraft
  • Turbines serving missiles and drones (operated by Microturbo subsidiary)
  • Auxiliary power units (APUs) in production since 1962 (Microturbo subsidiary)
    • Safran Microturbo
• Safran Aero Boosters
  • Production of components for aircraft and rocket propulsion systems
• Safran Transmission Systems
  • Manufacture of power transmission units for aircraft engines
• ArianeGroup
  • Development of solid rocket motors for launch vehicles and missiles
  • Production of thermostructural composite materials
• PowerJet
  • A 50-50 joint venture with Russian-owned UEC Saturn, manufacturing SaM146 engines

At the NBAA convention in October 2018, Safran unveiled its ENGINeUS range of electric motors reaching up to , aimed at electric aviation. The initial motor model delivers integrated control electronics, exceeding 94% efficiency, a power-to-weight ratio of 2.5 kW/kg at 2,500 rpm, and torque of —weighing roughly with its controller included, and less when excluded. Flight testing was projected for 2019 or 2020.

Additional subsidiaries

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

Aircraft Equipment, Defense and Aerosystems

This sector is responsible for the design, production, sales, and after-sales support of systems used in both civil and military aircraft as well as helicopters.

• Safran Landing Systems
  • Design, manufacture, and servicing of landing gear systems
  • Wheels and carbon brake assemblies for commercial aircraft
  • Hydraulic systems and braking controls
• Safran Nacelles
  • Engine nacelles and thrust reversers tailored for commercial airplanes
• Safran Electrical & Power
  • Systems for aircraft wiring and electrical power distribution
• Safran Electronics & Defense
  • Optronic devices, avionics solutions, electronics, and safety-critical software development
• Safran Aerosystems
  • Equipment and systems related to fluid management and security
• Safran Engineering Services
  • Engineering consultancy and support services

Additional subsidiaries

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

Aircraft Interiors

• Safran Cabin
  • Interior cabin design and outfitting
• Safran Seats
  • Solutions for passenger seating and technical seats
• Safran Passenger Solutions
  • Cabin equipment dedicated to enhancing passenger comfort

Shareholder profile

• Public shareholders: 81.3%
• French government: 11.2%
• Employee ownership: 7.4%
• Treasury shares: 0.1%

See also

• Musée aéronautique et spatial Safran – Exhibition showcasing French aircraft engine heritage
• List of aircraft engine manufacturers