Safran Acquires AI Firm Preligens for €220M to Strengthen Defense and Aerospace Capabilities

Key Takeaways

Safran has purchased the AI company Preligens for €220 million.

Preligens specializes in AI solutions tailored for aerospace and defense.

This acquisition will boost Safran's AI capabilities across its products.

Safran, a well-known French jet engine manufacturer, has announced the acquisition of the AI firm Preligens for €220 million (about $243.3 million). This strategic move is part of Safran's efforts to enhance its AI expertise, particularly within its Electronics & Defense sector.

According to a press release dated September 2, Safran plans to rebrand Preligens as Safran.AI. By integrating Preligens into its Electronics & Defense division, Safran aims to speed up the development of AI-driven products and services.

Jean-Yves Courtois, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense, highlighted that this acquisition will allow Safran to deliver more accurate information and decision-making support for surveillance and identification tasks within the defense and space industries. Additionally, Safran intends to use Preligens' AI solutions in Industry 4.0, applying automated image analysis to help quality controllers detect flaws in critical components.

Preligens, founded in 2016, is recognized for its AI analytics solutions designed for high-resolution imagery, full-motion video, and acoustic signals. The company's unique AI Factory enables the development of cutting-edge AI algorithms, trained on large datasets from various sources, ensuring complete security and traceability.

Safran’s Commitment to AI in Aerospace and Defense

Safran’s acquisition of Preligens not only boosts its technological capabilities but also reinforces its position as a key player in utilizing AI innovation to transform the aerospace and defense sectors. With a strong global presence, Safran is well-equipped to support Preligens’ expansion, particularly in the U.S. market.

On June 19, Safran Electronics & Defense introduced its Advanced Cognitive Engine (ACE) AI system. ACE is designed to integrate AI into all Safran products, improving situational awareness, decision-making, and reducing the cognitive burden on field operators.

While AI’s role in defense and aerospace is not entirely new, its importance has grown significantly in recent years. For example, in February 2023, an AI agent successfully piloted Lockheed Martin’s VISTA X-62A fighter jet for over 17 hours at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in California. This AI-driven test flight is a step toward developing the next generation of fighter jets, which may eventually operate without human pilots.