Safran

Slagorde · Vliegtuigfabrikanten · Frankrijk

Safran

Safran S.A.

Born in 2005 from an engine maker rooted in the 1909 Gnome rotary and an electronics firm that guided France’s missiles, Safran co-builds the CFM56 and LEAP with GE and makes army drones.

2005Opgericht
ActiefStatus
1Vliegtuigen geregistreerd
1Luchtmachteenheden die met dit type vliegtuigen vliegen
LandFrankrijkOpgericht2005-05-11HoofdkwartierParijsStatusActief
Het verhaal

Safran: the company and the aircraft that made its name

Rudder blades and saffron

Safran was formed on 11 May 2005 when the state-controlled engine maker Snecma merged with the electronics group SAGEM. The name was chosen from 4,250 suggestions, 1,750 of them from staff: in French a safran is the blade of a rudder, and also saffron, the spice the company likes to link with early international trade. Behind the new name lay two long histories. Snecma descended from Gnome, founded by Louis Seguin in 1905, whose Gnome Omega rotary of 1909 helped put early aviators in the air, and from Gnome et Rhône, nationalised in 1945.

From the Gnome to the LEAP

Snecma’s greatest bet was a partnership with General Electric. In 1974 the two founded CFM International, a 50-50 joint venture, to build the CFM56 turbofan. For years no airliner maker would sign, and the French government threatened to stop the programme, but the CFM56 first entered airline service in 1982, went on to power the new European twinjet, the Airbus A320, and was followed by the LEAP. In 2019 alone CFM delivered 2,127 engines. Safran also builds the M88 that powers the Dassault Rafale and is setting up M88 work in India.

Drones, Zodiac and a CAC 40 giant

On the SAGEM side came guidance, optronics and drones. Safran Electronics & Defense makes the Patroller, a medium-altitude long-endurance drone based on the Stemme S15 motor glider, first flown in Finland in 2009 and ordered by the French Army and Greece. In 2018 Safran bought the cabin maker Zodiac Aerospace, adding seats and interiors, and in 2025 it closed the purchase of Collins Aerospace’s actuation business after an Italian government veto was challenged. By 2025 it employed over 92,000 people, with revenue of €31.3 billion.

Born in 2005 from an engine maker rooted in the 1909 Gnome rotary and an electronics firm that guided France’s missiles, Safran co-builds the CFM56 and LEAP with GE and makes army drones.Safran · verified 2026-10-03
In één oogopslag

Safran in numbers

Het bedrijf

Kortom
Founded 2005

  • Merger of Snecma and SAGEM on 11 May 2005
  • Headquartered in Paris; listed on Euronext, member of the CAC 40
  • French state holds 11.72 per cent (June 2025)
  • Bought Zodiac Aerospace in 2018

Productie

Het meest bekend om
CFM56 and LEAP engines

  • CFM International joint venture with GE, founded 1974
  • M88 engine for the Dassault Rafale
  • Helicopter turboshafts, landing gear, nacelles, avionics, seats and cabins
  • Patroller MALE drone

Vandaag

Nu
CAC 40 aerospace group

  • Over 92,000 employees
  • Revenue €31.32 billion in 2025
  • Strategic partnership with Baykar on drone systems signed in 2026

De cijfers

Winst
€31.32 billion2025
Medewerkers
over 92,0002025
CFM engine deliveries
2,1272019
French state shareholding
11.72 per cent2025
Name suggestions considered
4,2502005
Het vliegtuig

Every notable Safran aircraft

Safran PatrollerMALE reconnaissance UAV · first flight 2009

Foto's:

Vliegtuig Rol Eerste vlucht Gebouwd Status Opmerking
Safran Patroller MALE reconnaissance UAV 2009 In productie French Army plans 28 drones in five systems by 2030; Greece first export customer
Wie vliegt ermee?

Safran aircraft in the world’s air forces

1 air forces in the Order of Battle fly or flew Safran types. Eén ervan heeft er nog één in gebruik.

Luchtmacht In dienst Voorheen gevlogen
Franse leger lichte luchtvaart Safran Patroller
Plaatsen, mensen, archieven

Where Safran built, who led it, what it achieved

Fabrieken

  • Hyderabad · Hyderabad, India — LEAP turbine seals, wiring harnesses; planned M88 maintenance

Records en primeurs

  • CFM International: 1,736 LEAP and 391 CFM56 delivered in 2019
  • Zodiac takeover made Safran the third-largest aerospace supplier at the time, behind United Technologies and GE Aviation
Tijdlijn

Safran, year by year

1905

Louis Seguin founds Gnome

1909

Production of the Gnome Omega rotary engine begins

1945

Gnome et Rhône nationalised as Snecma

1974

Snecma and GE found CFM International

1982

CFM56 first commercial flight, Delta DC-8 Super 70

2005

Safran formed by the merger of Snecma and SAGEM

2009

Patroller drone first flight at Kemijärvi, Finland

2015

Airbus Safran Launchers joint venture created

2018

Takes control of Zodiac Aerospace

2023

Greece orders four Patrollers

2025

Purchase of Collins Aerospace actuation business completed

2026

Strategic partnership with Baykar on unmanned systems

De stamboom

Before and after Safran

Kwam eerderSAGEMMerged with Snecma to form Safran, 2005Read the SAGEM page
Vragen en antwoorden

Everything people ask about Safran

What does Safran make?
Aircraft and helicopter engines (including, with GE, the CFM56 and LEAP), landing gear, nacelles, avionics, cabins and seats, and defence electronics and drones.
When was Safran founded?
On 11 May 2005, by the merger of Snecma and SAGEM.
What does the name Safran mean?
It is French for a rudder blade, and also means saffron.
Is Safran state-owned?
Partly: the French state held 11.72 per cent of shares in June 2025; most shares are publicly traded.
What drone does Safran make?
The Patroller, a medium-altitude long-endurance surveillance drone used by the French Army.

Vervolg de rondleiding

Around Safran

FrankrijkAérospatialeHet Franse staatsluchtvaartconcern bouwde de Concorde, was medeoprichter van Airbus, leidde Ariane, maakte de Squirrel- en Puma-helikopters en de Exocet — en ging vervolgens uiteen in…Lees de Aérospatiale-paginaFrankrijkAirbus-helikoptersDe Europese helikoptergigant, ontstaan uit Franse en Duitse concurrenten, bouwt nu ongeveer de helft van alle civiele helikopters ter wereld – en heeft er ooit één aan de grond staan…Lees de pagina over Airbus Helicopters.De indexAlle vliegtuigfabrikantenElk bedrijf dat een vliegtuig heeft gebouwd dat door de luchtmacht is gebruikt in de huidige en historische gevechtsorde.Open de lijst
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Geverifieerd op 3 oktober 2026.