"The Snecma group was already a top-tier leader in a significant number of aerospace businesses (.). The combination of Snecma and Sagem brings us leadership in even more areas, especially in highly sophisticated fields such as navigation," said Jean-Paul Béchat, Chairman of the Executive Board of Safran, during his presentation of the new group at a press conference on June 10. Mr. Béchat also underscored SAFRAN's strong international reach, with an industrial and commercial presence in more than 30 countries.

In his overview of SAFRAN's aerospace businesses, the group's chairman noted the excellent business levels for civil aircraft engines, sustained by "a very robust market environment". Nearly 600 orders have been booked for CFM 56-7 and 5B engines in the first five months of the year. Announcements of additional orders from major customers like Airbus and Boeing are expected during the Paris Air Show.

"The helicopter engine segment is equally dynamic, with over 1,000 deliveries expected set for this year," Mr. Béchat added. He also noted that an Ecureuil helicopter powered by an Arriel 2B1 engine had broken the world record for altitude by a rotorcraft.

"The significant increase in our installed base is a direct consequence of the quality of our solutions and our product portfolio," he said.

In the space segment, after stating his satisfaction at the successful return to service of the Ariane V launcher, Jean-Paul Béchat emphasized the need to maintain and develop European technology within the framework of the Lisbon Agenda. He noted that the decisions to be made by European research ministers in December of this year will be extremely important.

- View the slides from the press conference
- Read the press release

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