Safran has officially completed the acquisition of Collins Aerospace’s flight control and actuation activities, marking a significant milestone in the aerospace industry. The deal establishes Safran as a global leader in mission-critical flight control and actuation systems for commercial and military aircraft, as well as helicopters.
The acquired business, which generated approximately $1.55 billion in revenue and $130 million in EBITDA in 2024, will be integrated into Safran Electronics & Defence starting August 1, 2025. The acquisition involves around 4,000 employees spread across eight key facilities in Europe (UK, Italy, and France) and Asia, with operations also in Poland, the USA, and India.
Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal:
“This acquisition offers a unique opportunity to solidify our position in mission-critical flight control and actuation functions and create a global leader in this domain. It will enable us to deliver a comprehensive offering to our customers and position us extremely well for next-generation aircraft.”
With the aviation industry moving towards more electrified and sustainable aircraft, the acquisition will allow Safran to combine Collins’ expertise in hydraulic and mechanical actuation with its own strong capabilities in electro-mechanical actuation and electronics. This synergy is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the decarbonization ambitions of the aerospace sector, particularly for next-generation single-aisle aircraft with advanced, disruptive architectures.
The deal enhances Safran’s footprint across multiple segments, which encompass helicopter and nacelle actuation, where the company is already a global leader. In the defence sector, the acquisition will strengthen Safran’s offerings in flight control and actuation solutions for military aircraft and missiles, further boosting its sovereignty-focused activities.
The acquisition was finalised at an enterprise value of $1.8 billion and is expected to have an immediate positive impact on Safran’s earnings per share.
To meet regulatory requirements, Safran has simultaneously completed the sale of its North American electro-mechanical actuation business—worth around $65 million in 2024 sales—to Woodward, Inc.
With this acquisition, Safran is strategically positioned to deliver advanced flight control solutions for both current and future aerospace platforms, further cementing its role as a global leader in aviation technology.
