Safran and MBDA take a majority stake in CILAS

Safran Electronics & Defense and MBDA have completed the acquisition of ArianeGroup’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.”