Safran and Babcock International Group Strengthen Franco-British Defence Collaboration with New MOU
Business
Paris Air Show, 18 June 2025
Safran Electronics & Defense, a leader in high-tech defence solutions, and the defence company Babcock International Group (Babcock) , have announced plans to increase collaboration across multi-domain mission systems, aircraft engines, space systems, tactical and strategic communications.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed at the Paris Air Show, aims to combine the world-class expertise of Safran and Babcock to deliver advanced, competitive, and innovative solutions for the UK, France, and international defence markets.
It builds on a longstanding and trusted partnership between two key players in the defence sector, whose capabilities support products from submarines to satellites and will involve the companies jointly pursuing major defence programmes in land, naval, and air domains, and accelerating the development and integration of new technologies.
The MOU also supports the shared ambitions of the British and French governments to enhance bilateral defence ties through the Lancaster House Treaties. It reflects a common commitment to strengthening European security and building a resilient, sovereign industrial base for future defence challenges.
Cooperation under this agreement will include joint research and development opportunities, sharing best practices across engineering, manufacturing, and support, and bolstering supply chain resilience to protect sovereignty and security of supply. Both companies are dedicated to supporting government strategies that drive economic growth and create high-value jobs in both nations.
Franck Saudo, President of Safran Electronics & Defense, stated:
“This new step embodies the deep trust and enduring relationship between France and the United Kingdom. By pooling our expertise and resources, we are better positioned to address evolving defence needs and support the ambitions set by our governments to reinforce Franco-British leadership in the sector.”
David Lockwood, CEO of Babcock, added: “Our defence customers need the assurance that industry is working together to develop and deliver the best, and most innovative, products and services. Babcock and Safran will develop our relationship to increase military support, while strengthening the partnership between France and UK.”
Through this strengthened alliance, Safran and Babcock reaffirm their commitment to advancing Franco-British cooperation for the benefit of national security, economic prosperity, and European defence leadership.
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Lucie BATON
Safran Electronics & Defense
About Safran
Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aeronautics (propulsion, equipment, and interiors), space, and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport is becoming increasingly environmentally friendly, comfortable, and accessible. With a presence on every continent, the Group employs 100,000 people and generated sales of €27.3 billion in 2024. Safran holds, alone or in partnership, world or European leadership positions in its markets. Safran is listed on Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.
Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers embedded intelligence solutions that enable them to understand their environment, reduce mental workload, and ensure trajectory control even in critical situations, across all domains: land, sea, air, and space. The company leverages the expertise of its 15,000 employees to serve three key functions: observe, decide, and guide, catering to both civil and military markets.
About Babcock International Group
At Babcock, our purpose is to create a safe and secure world, together, and this defines everything we do. Delivered through our four sectors across the globe, we meet our customers’ key requirements of affordability, availability, and capability by delivering engineering, support and critical systems to defence and civil markets.
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- © Christel Sasso / CAPA Pictures / Safran
- © Christel Sasso / CAPA Pictures / Safran