Safran
French aerospace, defense and security group; supplies the seeker and guidance/navigation/control for Bliksem EXO via Safran Electronics & Defense.
French aerospace, defense and security conglomerate (Euronext: SAF) formed in 2005 from the SNECMA/SAGEM merger. Operates through divisions including Safran Aircraft Engines, Safran Helicopter Engines, and Safran Electronics & Defense (optronics, navigation, laser designation, tactical drones, parachute systems). Recent M&A/partnership activity includes 2026 cooperation agreements with Baykar (Turkey), Theon (EO/IR joint venture MOU), and EDGE Group (UAE).
Overview
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Founded
- 2005
- Employees
- ~110,000 (Dec 2025)
- Total funding
- Public (Euronext Paris: SAF)
- Stage
- Public (Euronext Paris: SAF)
- Status
- active
- Domains
- Aircraft engines, Defense electronics, Propulsion, Guidance and navigation
- Website
- www.safran-group.com
Founders0
No linked records yet.
Investors0
No linked records yet.
Cap table0
Approximate ownership by holder. Indexed holders link to their records.
| Holder | Instrument | Ownership |
|---|
Contracts13
- ContractLaser Target Locator Module II (LTLM II) IDIQ$275M IDIQ for Safran to supply Laser Target Locator Module II systems, spares, and logistics support to the U.S. Army.
- ContractMulti-Mission Parachute (PMM)DGA contract for Safran Electronics & Defense to develop next-generation Multi-Mission Parachute (PMM) systems for the French Army.
- ContractRTM 322 Merlin Helicopter Engine Support ContractUK MOD Single Source Qualifying Defence Contract for Safran Helicopter Engines to support RTM 322 engines on the Royal Navy's Merlin fleet, running 6 years with options to 2040.
- ContractFLRAA Flight Testing Solutions & Antennas ContractSubcontract from Bell Textron for Safran DSI to deliver flight testing solutions and antennas for the US Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program.
- ContractAirborne Instrumentation Modular Data Recorder IDIQ$47M firm-fixed-price IDIQ for Safran Defense & Space (Norcross, GA) to supply airborne instrumentation modular data recorders to the U.S. Navy's Special Flight Test Instrumentation Pool, covering F/A-18, EA-18G, V-22, F-35, E-6, C-130, CH-53K, P-8, H-1, MH-60, and MQ-4/MQ-8/MQ-25 platforms.
- ContractLaser Target Locator Module II (LTLM II) — US Army04.5M IDIQ frame contract for Safran (via Safran Optics 1) to deliver Laser Target Locator Module II systems to the US Army.
- ContractGeonyx Inertial Navigation Systems — Finnish Defence ForcesAgreement for Safran to supply Geonyx inertial navigation systems (HRG Crystal technology) for artillery and GNSS-denied navigation/targeting to the Finnish Defence Forces, spanning 2024-2031. Contract value not disclosed.
- ContractJIM Compact Multifunction IR Binoculars — BundeswehrSafran's largest-ever German order for JIM Compact multifunction infrared binoculars (1,000+ units), under a December 2024 framework agreement with the Bundeswehr. Contract value not disclosed.
- ContractPortable Optronics — Australian Defence Force (Land 17 Phase 2)Contract for Safran to supply portable optronics (JIM Compact, Moskito TI, Sterna) to the Australian Defence Force, via prime Collins Aerospace, for the Land 17 Phase 2 DTCS Capability Assurance Program. Contract value not disclosed.
- ContractPatroller Tactical UAV — Greek Army€55M contract for Safran to supply 4 Patroller tactical UAV systems to the Greek Army, brokered via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). As of 2025-2026 reporting, the program has faced significant delays with only one prototype flight-tested.
- ContractTracking Antenna Preventive Maintenance — US Army Test Range5-year preventive maintenance contract for Safran DSI covering 6 mobile SPARTE 324 antennas and 4 fixed SPARTE 555 antennas at a US Army test range. Contract value and exact test range name not disclosed.
- ContractRobust Quantum Sensors (RoQS) Phase 1 — DARPASafran Federal Systems selected by DARPA for Phase 1 of the Robust Quantum Sensors (RoQS) program, developing quantum sensors for GPS-denied positioning/navigation/timing, including tests on a military helicopter. Contract value not disclosed.
- ContractSigma 30 Artillery Navigation and Pointing System — Export OrderExport contract for Safran's Sigma 30 artillery navigation and pointing system (integrates with Caesar/Archer/PzH2000 platforms), several dozen units, to an undisclosed foreign army. Contract value not disclosed.
Frequently asked
- What does Safran do?
- French aerospace, defense and security conglomerate (Euronext: SAF) formed in 2005 from the SNECMA/SAGEM merger. Operates through divisions including Safran Aircraft Engines, Safran Helicopter Engines, and Safran Electronics & Defense (optronics, navigation, laser designation, tactical drones, parachute systems). Recent M&A/partnership activity includes 2026 cooperation agreements with Baykar (Turkey), Theon (EO/IR joint venture MOU), and EDGE Group (UAE).
- Where is Safran headquartered?
- Safran is headquartered in Paris, France and was founded in 2005.
- What does Safran specialize in?
- Safran works across Aircraft engines, Defense electronics, Propulsion, Guidance and navigation.
- Does Safran hold government contracts?
- Defense Tech Atlas links Safran to 13 government contracts and 1 program.
Sources & citations7
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
Safran is a French aerospace, defense and security group headquartered in Paris, formed in 2005 from the SNECMA/SAGEM merger
Safran: Safran at a glanceReported2026-07-01 - 2
Safran Electronics & Defense supplies the seeker and guidance, navigation and control for the Bliksem EXO exo-atmospheric kill vehicle
Destinus: European defence companies sign Letter of Intent to establish the Bliksem EXO ConsortiumVerified2026-07-14 - 3
Safran had more than 110,000 employees worldwide at end of 2025 (28,000 Americas; 67,000 Europe, of which 54,000 in France; 8,000 Africa/Middle East; 7,000 Asia/Oceania)
Safran: 2025 Integrated ReportVerified2026-03-01 - 4
Safran and Turkish drone maker Baykar signed a strategic partnership to co-develop optronic sensors, navigation systems, and guided-weapon integration for UAVs
Safran: Safran and Baykar Join Forces to accelerate the future of drones and smart weaponryVerified2026-05-12 - 5
Safran Electronics & Defense and Theon signed an MOU to form a joint venture developing airborne EO/IR systems for unmanned aerial vehicles
Safran: Safran and Theon partner to fast-track fielding of electro-optical solutions for dronesVerified2026-06-15 - 6
Olivier Andriès has served as Safran Group CEO and Director since January 1, 2021
Safran: Olivier Andriès — Safran Chief Executive Officer and DirectorVerified2026-01-01 - 7
Safran and Rheinmetall signed a framework agreement to jointly develop advanced defense solutions, including navigation for GNSS-denied environments, atomic clock timeservers, and vehicle/handheld optronics
Safran: Safran and Rheinmetall Sign Framework Agreement for Advanced Defense SolutionsVerified2025-09-24