Safran Electronics & Defense is proud to have been part of the opening sequence of France’s Bastille Day Parade on July 14, which featured both legacy equipment and innovations for the armed forces of the future.
A number of vehicles, including the Leclerc tank, were equipped with optronics systems and a terrestrial navigation system made by Safran Electronics & Defense. This equipment illustrates the company’s continual focus on meeting the critical needs of armed forces during external operations, namely mobility, protection, information and engagement.
In 2016, French defense procurement agency DGA awarded Safran Electronics & Defense a contract for the new French army tactical drone system program. Currently under development, the company’s Patroller tactical drone flew over the parade along the Champs Elysées in Paris, providing real-time transmission of images recorded by an airborne optronic observation pod, prefiguring the Safran Euroflir 410 (photo).
The opening of the parade also provided Safran Electronics & Defense, which is prime contractor for the FELIN infantry system, an opportunity to demonstrate how its innovation capabilities will support infantry troops in the future thanks to lighter, more connected and more robust systems. In addition, the event put the spotlight on systems from Safran Electronics & Defense that are integrated in the Scorpion armored vehicle program, notably the VBMR multirole armored vehicle, which paraded down the Champs Elysées.
Following the parade, Safran Electronics & Defense Chief Executive Officer Martin Sion said: “Our company is extremely proud to have been part of the Bastille Day ceremony and to have presented the solutions we develop for France’s armed forces, underlining our commitment to continued fruitful collaboration.”
Safran is an international high-technology group and tier-1 supplier of systems and equipment in the Aerospace and Defense markets. Operating worldwide, Safran has nearly 58,000 employees and generated sales of 15.8 billion euros in 2016. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran undertakes Research & Development programs to meet fast-changing market requirements, with total R&D expenditures of 1.7 billion euros in 2016. Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange, and its share is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.
