Safran Electronics & Defense and MBDA have completed the acquisition of Ariane Group’s 63% majority stake in CILAS, a French company specialized in lasers for military applications.
The acquisition was carried out through a joint company created for the purpose called HMS Laser, equally owned by Safran Electronics & Defense and MBDA.
Founded in 1966, CILAS designs, develops, produces and sells laser products and optical solutions for military and civil applications.
Safran Electronics & Defense and MBDA will support the growth of CILAS, as well as the development and production of solutions designed to support France’s sovereignty and strategic independence, while also facilitating the company’s European positioning and export opportunities.
CILAS is a specialized equipment supplier offering cross-functional technologies. It will continue to apply a business model based on its position as a supplier of products and technologies to all domestic and international customers.
“CILAS is the French laser technology champion,” said Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA. “Today’s weapon systems increasingly call on latest-generation lasers, and this trend is likely to continue. By combining the complementary strengths of CILAS and MBDA, we will meet the upcoming challenges for France and Europe of achieving operational superiority and strategic independence.”
Martin Sion, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense, added: “CILAS is a long-standing partner to our company. Our complementary optronics capabilities will enable us to develop and refine our solutions involving laser designation, while also investigating the possibilities of optical communications for both terrestrial and space applications. We can now team up with CILAS and our partner MBDA to offer sovereignty solutions that integrate power lasers, by calling on our respective areas of expertise.”
MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, in 2021 MBDA achieved revenue of 4.2 billion euro with an order book of 17.8 billion euro. In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.
MBDA is jointly owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%), and Leonardo (25%).
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 76,800 employees and sales of 15.3 billion euros in 2021, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or European leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with 10,000 employees, built on proven expertise in technologies that underpin sovereignty. By combining human and artificial intelligence, the company develops the products and services that empower aerospace and defense players to observe, decide and guide. Safran Electronics & Defense also supports fellow Safran companies by sharing its state-of-the-art electronics skills and expertise. (File Photo © CILAS: HELMA-P Laser Anti-Drone System)
