Safran Strengthens AI Capabilities with Acquisition of Preligens

Safran Strengthens AI Capabilities with Acquisition of Preligens

(IN BRIEF) Safran has acquired Preligens, an AI company specializing in defense and aerospace analytics, for €220 million. Preligens will be rebranded as Safran.AI and integrated into Safran Electronics & Defense. This acquisition strengthens Safran’s AI capabilities, particularly in surveillance and identification systems, and supports its broader digital transformation goals. The move will also help Preligens expand its AI solutions globally, especially in the US market.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 3-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Safran, a global leader in aerospace and defense, has officially acquired Preligens, a prominent AI company specializing in advanced analytics for defense and aerospace applications. The acquisition, valued at €220 million, marks a strategic move by Safran to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities and expand its presence in the AI-driven technology sector. Following the acquisition, Preligens will be rebranded as Safran.AI and integrated into Safran Electronics & Defense.

Founded in 2016, Preligens has established itself as a key player in AI analytics, particularly in the analysis of high-resolution imagery, video, and acoustic signals for military purposes. The company’s proprietary AI Factory leverages vast amounts of data from diverse sources to develop cutting-edge algorithms capable of automatic detection and identification of military targets.

This acquisition aligns with Safran’s commitment to advancing AI technologies within its product offerings. By integrating Preligens’ AI solutions, Safran Electronics & Defense aims to enhance its capabilities in surveillance, identification, and decision support systems, particularly in defense and space applications. Additionally, the acquisition will support Safran’s broader digital transformation goals, including the application of AI to Industry 4.0 initiatives, such as automating quality control processes in manufacturing.

Jean-Yves Courtois, CEO of Preligens, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “Joining forces with Safran opens up new opportunities for Preligens to scale our AI innovations globally, particularly in the US market. The synergy between our technologies and Safran’s expertise will drive the development of new AI solutions, benefiting both our business and our employees.”

Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense, welcomed Preligens to the Safran family, highlighting the potential to explore new AI applications across aviation, defense, and space. He emphasized Safran’s commitment to fostering innovation and expanding its AI capabilities through this strategic acquisition.

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 92 000 employees and sales of 23.2 billion euros in 2023, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers on-board intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, to reduce mental load and to guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.

Preligens was founded in 2016 by two French engineers, Arnaud Guérin and Renaud Allioux, on the belief that without the contribution of artificial intelligence, intelligence professionals would no longer be able to cope with the exponential flow of defense and intelligence data, especially those made available by the significant investments made each year in sensors. Preligens is now a global leader in artificial intelligence for geospatial data in aerospace, defense, and government applications.

Based in Paris, Rennes, and Washington D.C. (USA), Preligens counts over 220 employees, forming the largest AI team on high-end vision and acoustics in the Western world. The performance and precision of Preligens’ solutions are internationally recognized and field-proven, enabling users to apprehend and understand complex operational situations at the speed of need.

Media Contacts:

François Maginiot
Safran Electronics & Defense
+33 7 89 57 25 80
francois.maginiot@safrangroup.com

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

Florent Defretin
Safran
+33 1 40 60 27 30
florent.defretin@safrangroup.com

Aurélie Lefebvre
Safran
+33 1 40 60 82 19
aurelie.lefebvre@safrangroup.com

SOURCE: Safran