Safran Aircraft Engines

What Safran Aircraft Engines does

Safran Aircraft Engines is the wholly-owned aircraft engines division of Safran Group (publicly traded on Euronext Paris as SAF) and one of the two principal propulsion suppliers powering the global commercial single-aisle market. Through its 50/50 joint venture CFM International with GE Aerospace — operational since 1974 and renewed to 2040 — the company designs, manufactures, and supports the CFM56 (the best-selling engine in aviation history with 30,000+ deliveries) and the next-generation LEAP family (LEAP-1A for the Airbus A320neo, LEAP-1B for the Boeing 737 MAX, LEAP-1C for the COMAC C919). LEAP delivers 15-20% fuel-burn improvement over its predecessor through proprietary 3D-woven composite fan blades, a Twin-annular pre-swirl combustor, and 3D aerodynamic design.

Outside CFM, Safran Aircraft Engines independently develops military propulsion including the M88 turbofan for the Dassault Rafale and participates in the Europrop International TP400 turboprop for the Airbus A400M. The company is investing in the CFM RISE open-fan architecture (60:1 bypass ratio, 20%+ efficiency gain, flight demo targeted around 2029) and the M88 T-Rex upgrade, while also co-developing next-generation fighter propulsion for Europe's FCAS program and India's AMCA Mk2 with GTRE.

The business model combines OEM hardware sales to airframers (Airbus, Boeing, Dassault, COMAC) and airlines with a global aftermarket MRO annuity across 22 owned facilities, 17 authorized third-party providers, and recent JVs in Singapore (SIAEC), Poland (Lufthansa Technik XEOS), and India (SAESI Hyderabad). Defense sustainment contracts — including a five-month bridge support arrangement and a long-term performance-based logistics contract for 36 Indian Air Force Rafale jets — provide additional recurring revenue. A €1 billion industrial investment plan is concurrently expanding forging (Gennevilliers), rotating-parts capacity (Le Creusot), full engine assembly (Queretaro), and MRO capacity in India and the Americas, while a €220 million acquisition of Preligens (rebranded Safran.AI) and the IIT Delhi CYRAN-AI partnership are building out AI-enabled predictive maintenance and inspection capabilities.

Name

Safran Aircraft Engines

Legal name

Safran Aircraft Engines

Website

https://safran-aircraft-engines.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Safran Aircraft Engines is a French aerospace propulsion manufacturer (subsidiary of Safran Group) producing the LEAP engine family via its CFM International JV with GE Aerospace, the M88 military engine for the Rafale, and a global MRO network serving airlines, airframers, and defense forces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Engine Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Turbofan Engines (IMABADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Aerospace Engines & Propulsion (IMABAMAD), Engine Modules & Hot-Section Components (Compressors/Turbines/Combustors) (IMABADAJ)

Keywords

• Aircraft engine manufacturing
• Civil turbofan engines
• Military aircraft engines
• Engine MRO services
• Aerospace propulsion systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Sedziszow Malopolski

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. New Engine Sales: Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sales of aircraft engines to airframers and airlines. Includes LEAP engines for Airbus A320neo/737 MAX family, M88 for Rafale, and TP400 for A400M. Revenue recognized at point of delivery to customers.
2. Aftermarket MRO Services: Maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for engines in service. Includes global MRO network facilities, spare parts supply, technical support, and performance-based logistics contracts. Provides recurring revenue from installed engine base.
3. Spare Parts and Components: Supply of replacement parts, modules, and components for engine maintenance and overhaul. Revenue from both OEM customers and aftermarket service network.
4. CFM International Joint Venture: 50-50 joint venture with GE Aerospace generates revenue through LEAP and CFM56 engine programs. Revenue shared equally between partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Safran Aircraft Engines designs, manufactures, and supports aircraft engines for the civil and military aviation markets. Through the CFM International joint venture with GE Aerospace, it produces the LEAP engine family (LEAP-1A for A320neo, LEAP-1B for 737 MAX, LEAP-1C for COMAC C919) and the legacy CFM56. Independently and via Europrop International it produces military engines including the M88 (Dassault Rafale) and TP400 (Airbus A400M). The company also delivers a global aftermarket maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) service network for both civil and military fleets.

Product overview

Safran Aircraft Engines is a world-class aircraft engines manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of civil and military engines. The product portfolio includes the LEAP engine family (LEAP-1A, LEAP-1B, LEAP-1C) for next-generation single-aisle aircraft (Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX, COMAC C919), the proven CFM56 legacy engine, military engines including the M88 (Dassault Rafale) and TP400 (Airbus A400M), and the emerging CFM RISE Open Fan technology targeting 20%+ fuel efficiency improvements. Beyond engines, the company provides extensive commercial engine support and MRO services through a global network. The CFM International joint venture (50/50 with GE Aerospace) is central to civil engine offerings, while Safran develops military engines independently and through partnerships like Europrop International.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LEAP Engine Family: Next-generation single-aisle aircraft engines (LEAP-1A, LEAP-1B, LEAP-1C) developed by CFM International
• M88 Engine
• CFM56
• TP400 Engine

Products and services

• LEAP-1A Engine Next-generation turbofan engine powering the Airbus A320neo family of single-aisle commercial jets. Developed by CFM International (50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace), delivering 15% fuel efficiency improvement over the previous generation and reduced emissions.
• LEAP-1B Engine Next-generation turbofan engine for the Boeing 737 MAX family, delivering significant fuel efficiency gains and reduced emissions. Developed by CFM International as part of the LEAP engine family.
• LEAP-1C Engine Next-generation turbofan engine exclusively powering the COMAC C919 single-aisle commercial aircraft. Developed by CFM International as part of the LEAP family.
• CFM56 Engine

Quantifiable outcome

• 15-20% reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel burn with LEAP engines
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• GE Aerospace / NASA (Hydrogen Testing)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Hydrogen combustion testing under EU-funded HYDEA project at DLR's Institute of Space Propulsion. Supports CFM RISE program targeting 20%+ fuel burn improvement.
• SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026US$118 million joint venture in Singapore for CFM LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine MRO services. Safran holds 51% equity stake while SIAEC retains 49%. Builds on November 2025 letter of intent and adds to SIAEC's existing JVs with Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce.
• Godrej Enterprises GroupstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026Partnerships spanning global OEMs including Boeing, Safran Aircraft Engines, GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, and RTX. Godrej Aerospace is engaged with GTRE in jet engine development and is the first Indian private company to manufacture modules for DRDO's Kaveri derivative engine.
• Uni Tritech Private LimitedstrategicOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 28 April 2026MoU for aluminum investment cast components for CFM LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines at Dharwad, Karnataka facility. Safran's first aluminum foundry partnership in India, encompassing casting, precision machining, and specialized surface treatments to aerospace quality standards.
• AerCap / Shannon Engine SupportstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 March 2026Long-term lease agreements with CFM International for 48 LEAP-1A engines through Shannon Engine Support joint venture with Safran. Engine deliveries beginning Q2 2026.
• Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) - IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Co-development of 120-140 kN thrust engine for AMCA Mk2 fighter aircraft with Gas Turbine Research Establishment. Most concrete element of India-France aerospace partnership for sixth-generation fighter capabilities.
• Airbus (TAKE OFF Consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026€100 million EU-funded TAKE OFF project led by Safran with 25 consortium partners including Airbus, Avio Aero, and GKN Aerospace. Targets 20% fuel efficiency improvement with flight demonstration using Airbus A380 around 2029.
• American AirlinesstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 19 February 2026Long-term maintenance services agreement for LEAP-1A engines. American Airlines' future Airbus A321neo deliveries will continue to be powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines.
• Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025Rs 425 crore facility in Hyderabad producing Bearing Housings and Low-Pressure Turbine Shafts for CFM LEAP engines. Strategic collaboration announced January 2024. Positions India as third-largest LEAP operator globally with 2,000+ engine orders.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2025New agreement at Paris Air Show to produce rotating parts for LEAP engines and expand industrial partnership. Supports India's Make in India initiative and strengthens aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
• TEAL (Titan Engineering and Automation Limited)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 February 2025Contract for low-pressure turbine components for LEAP engines with production starting 2026. TEAL operates four manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu and Chennai.
• Component Repair Technologies (CRT)strategicOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 28 January 2025Acquisition of CRT, a provider of aircraft engine part repairs based in Mentor, Ohio, employing over 450 people. Part of €1 billion investment plan to expand MRO network in the Americas.
• Albany InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic partnership extended to 2046 for advanced 3D-woven composite components for next-generation aeroengines. Partnership includes three production plants in France, USA, and Mexico that have delivered over 130,000 parts for LEAP engine.
• Lufthansa Technik (XEOS JV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 202535,000-square-meter MRO joint venture near Wrocław, Poland to service CFM LEAP and GEnx engines. CFM also named MTU Maintenance Dallas as sixth Premier MRO provider.
• Europrop InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2024Joint venture for TP400 turboprop engine production for Airbus A400M military transport aircraft.
• Preligens (Safran.AI)strategicTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2024€220 million acquisition of AI leader Preligens, rebranded as Safran.AI. Cornerstone of Safran's AI strategy for aerospace and defense sectors including predictive maintenance and geospatial AI.
• Airbus and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (RISE-Changi)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024World-first airport partnership at 2024 Singapore Airshow to develop readiness frameworks for integrating next-generation propulsion technologies like Open Fan engines into airport operations.
• MTU Aero Engines (FCAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2019Partnership agreement to jointly develop the new engine (NGFE) powering Europe's next-generation fighter as part of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program.
• GE Aerospace (CFM International)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 197450-50 joint venture CFM International is Safran's flagship partnership, developing and producing the CFM56 (best-selling engine in history with 30,000+ deliveries) and LEAP engine families. Partnership renewed in 2008 until 2040. Joint venture drives the RISE open fan technology program targeting 20%+ fuel efficiency improvement.

Scale indicators29 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GE Aerospace: GE Aerospace is Safran Aircraft Engines' 50/50 joint venture partner in CFM International and the co-developer of the CFM56 and LEAP engine families. As the other half of the world's best-selling engine franchise, GE Aerospace is the most directly comparable peer in commercial turbofan manufacturing.
• Rolls-Royce: Rolls-Royce is a direct competitor in large civil turbofan engines (Trent series for widebodies) and military engines (EJ200 for Eurofighter, Adour, etc.). The UltraFan technology demonstrator represents a competing next-generation architecture to Safran's RISE open fan. Both companies target 20%+ fuel efficiency improvements.
• Pratt & Whitney: Pratt & Whitney competes directly with Safran in both commercial (GTF geared turbofan for A320neo, A321XLR) and military engines (F135 for F-35). Pratt's GTF technology is an alternative to LEAP on the Airbus A320neo family, making it the closest head-to-head competitor in the single-aisle market.
• MTU Aero Engines: MTU Aero Engines is a partner in the FCAS/NGFE military engine program and a major MRO provider for military engines, with the XEOS joint venture (with Lufthansa Technik) servicing CFM LEAP and GEnx engines in Poland. Comparable as a European propulsion specialist with overlapping military and MRO activities.
• IAE - International Aero Engines: IAE is a multinational consortium producing the V2500 engine for the Airbus A320ceo family, directly competing with the CFM56. Its shareholder structure (Pratt & Whitney, MTU, Japanese Aero Engines Corp.) makes it structurally and competitively similar to CFM International.

Emerging players

• Engine Alliance: Engine Alliance is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney producing the GP7200 engine for the Airbus A380. As a competing GE-led consortium for very large engines, it represents an alternative commercial engine platform that competes for market share in the widebody segment Safran addresses via partnerships.
• Avio Aero: Avio Aero (a GE Aerospace business) is a key TAKE OFF consortium partner with Safran on the RISE open fan program. Comparable as a European propulsion manufacturer with strong military and MRO capabilities, including involvement in next-generation propulsion technology development.
• Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC): AECC is the state-owned Chinese aero engine manufacturer developing commercial and military engines including the CJ-1000A to power the COMAC C919. Represents a long-term competitive threat as China builds domestic propulsion capability to reduce dependence on Western OEMs like Safran/GE.

Regional players

• ITP Aero: ITP Aero (now owned by Bain Capital, previously Rolls-Royce) is a Spanish aero engine component manufacturer and partner in several European engine programs. It is a TAKE OFF consortium member with Safran, indicating deep supply-chain and technology partnership.

Others

• Williams International: Williams International is a leader in small turbofan and turbojet engines used in cruise missiles, drones, and business jets. While not a direct competitor in large commercial engines, it is comparable as a specialized gas turbine manufacturer with proprietary technology and a strong position in unmanned/small aircraft propulsion markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/safranengines
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GroupeSafran
• Facebookfacebook.com/GroupeSafran
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safran-aircraft-engines
• Instagraminstagram.com/safran_group

Compliance18 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A1 record

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Safran Aircraft Engines