What Safran Helicopter Engines does

Safran Helicopter Engines, headquartered in Bordes, France, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Safran Group (Euronext Paris: SAF) and the world's only company dedicated exclusively to the design and manufacture of rotorcraft turbines. Founded in 1938 by Polish engineer Joseph Szydlowski, it produces turboshaft engines ranging from 500 to 3,000 shaft horsepower across the Arriel, Arrius, Arrano, Aneto, and RTM322 families, with 75,000 engines produced cumulatively and 21,500 currently in service in 155 countries. Its engines power flagship platforms from Airbus Helicopters (H125, H145, H160), Bell (505), Leonardo (AW09, AW189K), Avicopter (AC352), HAL, and Korea Aerospace Industries (LCH).

The company operates three French industrial sites — Bordes (Joseph Szydlowski plant, 2010), Mantes-Buchelay (2011), and Tarnos (Cap 2020 campus, February 2020) — alongside a Grand Prairie, Texas facility (45 years in 2025) and a new German service facility inaugurated in April 2026. Its business model combines OEM hardware sales (embedded engine supply to helicopter manufacturers) with a recurring Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) revenue stream delivered through 12 worldwide subsidiaries and 2,500+ customers globally. Digital services via the EngineLife Customer Portal — including Health Monitoring and predictive diagnostics, now extended through the EngineLife Connect ecosystem with partners such as SKYTRAC — provide an additional managed-services revenue layer.

Strategic priorities center on next-generation propulsion: the EURA 50/50 joint venture with MTU Aero Engines (created 2024) coordinates the SHARP program to develop the European Next Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE) with €25M European Commission funding and 2040 entry-into-service target. Safran Helicopter Engines is also a HAL joint venture partner for the Aravalli engine in India's IMRH program and is investing in hybrid/electrified rotorcraft concepts.

Name

Safran Helicopter Engines

Legal name

Safran Helicopter Engines

Website

https://safran-helicopter-engines.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Safran Helicopter Engines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Safran Group, is the world's only company exclusively dedicated to rotorcraft turbine engines (500–3,000 shp), supplying OEMs including Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Leonardo, HAL, and KAI, and serving 2,500+ customers across 155 countries with OEM hardware, MRO, and digital services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Turboshaft Engines

NAICS

Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412)

SIC

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Turboshaft Engines (IMABADAD)

Keywords

• Helicopter turboshaft engines
• Rotorcraft propulsion systems
• Engine MRO services
• Military helicopter engines
• Aerospace OEM propulsion

Headquarters

HQ city

Bordes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM): Safran designs and manufactures helicopter engines sold directly to helicopter manufacturers as original equipment. Products power aircraft from major OEMs including Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Leonardo, and HAL.
2. Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO): Comprehensive support network through 12 worldwide subsidiaries providing local support and MRO services to maintain engines throughout their operational lifecycle.
3. EngineLife Digital Services: Customer portal providing digital services including health monitoring, diagnostic expertise, and connectivity solutions for connected helicopter engines.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Safran Helicopter Engines designs, manufactures, and supports turboshaft engines for rotorcraft, covering a power range from 500 to 3,000 shaft horsepower. The company supplies engines as original equipment to helicopter manufacturers (Airbus, Bell, Leonardo, HAL, KAI) and provides Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services through 12 worldwide subsidiaries. It also delivers digital services through its EngineLife platform for engine health monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Product overview

Safran Helicopter Engines is the world's leading manufacturer of helicopter turbines, offering the widest range of products from 500 to 3,000 shaft horsepower. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of turboshaft engines including the Arriel family (Arriel 2D, 2E, 2K), Arrius family (Arrius 2B2Plus, 2R), Arrano 1A new-generation engine, RTM322 for military applications, and Aneto-1K for heavy helicopters. Products power major helicopter platforms including Airbus Helicopters H160, H145, H125, Bell 505, Leonardo AW189K, AW09, Avicopter AC352, HAL LUH, and KAI LCH. The company complements its engine offerings with support services including Health Monitoring diagnostic expertise, SBH®Classic fly visibility services, and the EngineLife® digital customer portal. Safran is developing hybrid propulsion technologies for electrified rotorcraft. The company maintains 21,500 engines in service across 2,500 customers in 155 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EngineLife Connect: Digital platform extending partnerships within the EngineLife ecosystem for helicopter engine services and monitoring
• EngineLife Customer Portal

Products and services

• Arriel 2D
• Arriel 2E
• Arriel 2K
• Arrius 2B2Plus
• Arrius 2R
• Arrano 1A
• RTM322
• Aneto-1K
• SBH Classic
• Health Monitoring
• EngineLife Customer Portal
• European Next Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE)

Quantifiable outcome

• A helicopter powered by Safran takes off every 9 seconds somewhere in the world
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.

• SKYTRACstrategicTechnology or Integration · 10 March 2026Partnership announced to pave the way for connecting helicopter engines to the future. SKYTRAC provides connectivity solutions for helicopter engine monitoring and data services through the EngineLife Connect ecosystem.
• MTU Aero EnginescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 202550/50 joint venture EURA created in 2024 to coordinate the SHARP (Sovereign High-performance Architecture for Rotorcraft Propulsion) program. EURA leads the development of the European Next Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE) for next-generation military rotorcraft with entry-into-service targeted for 2040. Both partners contribute to the €25M EU-funded research initiative.
• Avio AerocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Partner in SHARP program alongside Safran and MTU Aero Engines. Avio Aero contributes to the European Next Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE) development with 25 partners from 12 European countries. The initiative aims to develop breakthrough technologies increasing efficiency while reducing operating and maintenance costs.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAL-Safran joint venture to manufacture the Aravalli engine for India's Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH). The 13-tonne class IMRH targets over 75% indigenous content and requires engines to handle heavy loads of 4,000-4,500 kg. Partnership supports India's defense self-reliance goals.
• Airbus HelicopterscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLong-standing OEM partner with Safran engines featured on Airbus Helicopters products including the H160, H125, and H145. Relationship involves engine development and supply for new aircraft programs.
• BellcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSafran engines power Bell 505 helicopters. Partnership for original equipment supply and support services.
• LeonardocoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLeonardo AW189K and AW09 helicopters powered by Safran engines including the Arrano 1A new-generation engine for AW09 and RTM322 for NH90.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pratt & Whitney Canada: Direct competitor in helicopter turboshaft engines, with the PT6C and PT6T families powering Bell, Sikorsky, and Leonardo platforms. Most comparable direct peer given overlapping product categories and OEM customer base.

Broad incumbents

• GE Aerospace: Manufactures the CT7 and T408 turboshaft engines powering military rotorcraft including the Sikorsky S-92 and CH-53K. Larger conglomerate but directly competes in the helicopter engine segment.
• Rolls-Royce (Civil Aerospace & Defence): Joint venture partner with Safran on the RTM322 for the NH90, but also a broader competitor in helicopter propulsion through its AE turboshaft programs for military applications.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Broad aerospace incumbent with T55 and HTS9000 turboshaft engines for heavy lift and light helicopters respectively. Larger conglomerate competitor in adjacent helicopter engine segments.

Emerging players

• MTU Aero Engines: 50/50 partner with Safran in the EURA joint venture coordinating SHARP/ENGHE development. MTU is also an engine components supplier and emerging rotorcraft propulsion partner, making it both a partner and adjacent peer.
• Avio Aero: GE Aerospace subsidiary and SHARP program partner alongside Safran and MTU. Contributes to next-generation European helicopter engine development, with capabilities in turbomachinery and engine modules comparable to Safran's component work.

Regional players

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): Indian aerospace OEM and partner in the Aravalli engine JV for the IMRH program. Regional peer that also acts as both customer and emerging rotorcraft propulsion player in the Indian market.
• Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI): Customer for the LCH Light Combat Helicopter powered by Safran engines. South Korean aerospace manufacturer with growing indigenous propulsion ambitions, representing a regional peer-cum-customer relationship.

Others

• ITP Aero: Spanish engine components and modules manufacturer (owned by Bain Capital), supplying into turboshaft and turbofan programs. Adjacent supplier and emerging rotorcraft propulsion ecosystem participant.
• Safran Aircraft Engines: Sister Safran subsidiary manufacturing commercial and military turbofan engines (LEAP, M88, TP400). Shared parent creates potential synergies and knowledge spillover in turbine technology relevant to next-gen rotorcraft propulsion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safran Helicopter Engines