Safran closes $1.8 billion deal for Collins Aerospace flight control and actuation unit, adding 4,000 staff and 180-platform footprint

Safran closes $1.8 billion deal for Collins Aerospace flight control and actuation unit, adding 4,000 staff and 180-platform footprint

(IN BRIEF) Safran has closed the $1.8 billion purchase of Collins Aerospace’s flight control and actuation operations, adding 4,000 employees, eight major sites in Europe and Asia, and technology installed on 180 aircraft platforms. The acquired unit posted $1.55 billion in 2024 revenue and $130 million in EBITDA and will be consolidated into Safran Electronics & Defense from August 1, 2025. CEO Olivier Andriès said the deal makes Safran a global leader in mission‑critical actuation and flight control and readies it for next‑generation, increasingly electrified aircraft aimed at decarbonization. The combination of Collins’ hydraulic/mechanical strengths with Safran’s electro‑mechanical and electronic capabilities broadens the portfolio, balances exposure across commercial, military and helicopter markets, and brings roughly 40% recurring service revenue. Safran expects EPS accretion in year one and $50 million in annual cost synergies by 2028. To meet regulatory conditions, Safran sold its North American electro‑mechanical actuation business (2024 sales: $65 million) to Woodward.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 22-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Safran has completed the acquisition of Collins Aerospace’s flight control and actuation activities—mission‑critical systems used on commercial and military aircraft as well as helicopters—cementing Safran’s status as a global leader in this field and positioning the Group strongly for next‑generation platforms.

The business bringing over has around 4,000 employees spread across eight principal sites in Europe (UK, Italy, France) and Asia, with additional operations in Poland, the United States and India. Collins’ flight control and actuation solutions fly on 180 different platforms and generated approximately $1.55 billion in revenue and about $130 million in EBITDA in 2024. The activity will be folded into Safran Electronics & Defense from August 1, 2025.

“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,” said Olivier Andriès, Safran’s Chief Executive Officer. “It will enable us to deliver a comprehensive offering to our customers and position us extremely well for next‑generation aircraft. This business fits perfectly with both our product portfolio and our DNA, with high technology content, recurring aftermarket sales and profitable growth.”

As aviation pursues decarbonization, tomorrow’s single‑aisle aircraft will feature disruptive architectures and far greater electrification, demanding breakthroughs in actuation and flight control. Marrying Collins’ best‑in‑class hydraulic and mechanical actuation expertise with Safran’s strengths in electro‑mechanical actuation and electronics gives the Group the toolkit to meet that challenge.

The deal also enhances Safran’s complementary positions in helicopter and nacelle actuation—areas where the company is already among world leaders—and bolsters its defense offering in actuation and flight control for military aircraft and missiles, reinforcing growth in sovereignty-related activities.

Strategic benefits for Safran include:

• A broadened, highly complementary product suite that elevates Safran to sector leadership in flight control and actuation.
• Balanced exposure across commercial aviation, defense, and helicopter markets, with strong roles on both mature and fast-growing programs.
• Combined hydraulic and electro‑mechanical know‑how to support the needs of next‑gen aircraft architectures.
• Significant recurring revenue from services, accounting for roughly 40% of turnover.
• Strong value creation potential, supported by short- to medium-term cost synergies and additional commercial upside.

The enterprise value of the acquired business is $1.8 billion. The transaction is expected to be earnings‑per‑share accretive from year one and to deliver about $50 million in annual pre‑tax run‑rate cost synergies by 2028.

To satisfy regulatory requirements, Safran concurrently divested its North American electro‑mechanical actuation business—recording around $65 million in 2024 sales—to Woodward, Inc.

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes research and development programs to maintain the environmental priorities of its R&T and Innovation roadmap.
Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.

Media Contacts:

Press Relation:
Catherine Malek
Safran
catherine.malek@safrangroup.com

Investor Relations:
Armelle Gary
Safran
+33 1 40 60 82 46
armelle.gary@safrangroup.com

Baptiste Delpierre
Safran
+33 1 40 60 27 26
baptiste.delpierre@safrangroup.com

Marine Guerret
Safran
+33 1 40 60 82 19
marine.guerret@safrangroup.com

Press Officer
Lucie Bâton
Safran Electronics & Defense
+33 6 30 27 71 41

SOURCE: Safran