Safran is a 50% owner of ArianeGroup, which has contracts for French nuclear missile production.
Nuclear weapons
ArianeGroup is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the French M51 submarine launched ballistic missiles.[i] ArianeGroup states that its role in the M51 production includes “upstream studies, development, production and through-life support and maintaining operational readiness”.[ii] ArianeGroup is also responsible for end-of-life disposal”.[iii] Through ArianeGroup, Safran is also contracted for the development of the third version of the ballistic missile, the M51.3, to be completed around 2025.[iv]
Until December 2024, Safran’s subsidiary, Safran Ceramics, was involved in the design, development, manufacture and sale of solid propulsion systems and related equipment for all types of rockets and tactical and cruise missiles for air, sea and ground forces, through a joint venture with MBDA called Roxel.[v] Roxel is also involved in ASMP/ ASMP-A missile production, providing boosters and additional devices.[vi] On 6 January 2025, MBDA announced it finalized the acquisition of Safran’s 50% share of Roxel, integrating the company as a wholly-owned subsidiary.[vii]
[i] M51: A CENTRAL PART OF FRENCH DETERRENCE (no date) | ArianeGroup. Available at: https://www.ariane.group/en/defense/m51/ (Accessed: 11 December 2024).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Heritage (no date) | ArianeGroup. Available at: Our History - ArianeGroup (Accessed: 18 October 2024);
Hans M. Kristensen, Matt Korda, and Eliana Johns, ‘French Nuclear Weapons, 2023’, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 79:4, 272-281, p. 275. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00963402.2023.2223088;
[v] Roxel is the European leader in tactical propulsion systems and a major player in world markets (no date) | Roxel. Available at: https://www.roxelgroup.com/en/corporate/ (Accessed: 11 December 2024);
Roxel (no date) | MBDA. Available at: https://www.mbda-systems.com/polska/about-us/mbda-worldwide/roxel-2/ (Accessed: 11 December 2024).
[vi] Market segments: propulsion systems (no date) | Roxel. Available at: https://www.roxelgroup.com/en/market-segments/ (Accessed: 11 December 2024).
[vii] MBDA makes Roxel a wholly-owned subsidiary. MBDA, 6 January 2025. Available at: MBDA makes Roxel a wholly-owned subsidiary | MBDA.