At a time when technological agility and supply chain resilience dictate defense readiness and national security, major industrial primes are deepening their synergies with specialized engineering assets. Safran Corporate Ventures’ acquisition of a minority stake in Akira alongside missile leader MBDA and the DGA-backed fund Definvest via Bpifrance marks a critical milestone in consolidating Europe’s Defense Industrial and Technological Base (DITB).
Technical Excellence at the Heart of Future Aviation
Anchored in Bayonne and Bergerac, Akira Technologies has built a stellar reputation since 2003 for high-end mechanical engineering. With 70 employees and €13 million in annual revenue, the company masters the entire value chain, covering the design, development, and production services for the aerospace, defense, and motorcycle industries.
Far from a newcomer, Akira is deeply integrated into Safran’s core roadmaps, collaborating actively with Safran Aircraft Engines, Safran Helicopter Engines, and Safran Tech. Its engineering teams contribute directly to high-stakes programs like the RISE sustainable propulsion demonstrator and R&T initiatives dedicated to hybridization and hydrogen combustion. Furthermore, Akira is widely recognized for its expertise in designing and manufacturing custom test benches.
Industrial Scaling and Defense Market Expansion
This new funding round allows Akira to cross a major threshold by accelerating its transition toward small- and medium-batch series production. Sylvain Loumé, Managing Director of Akira, hailed the backing as “recognition of the expertise and efficiency of the Akira team,” noting that it represents a tangible commitment to “building a French industrial sector that combines technological excellence, sovereignty, and competitiveness”.
The capital injection will be channeled into three structural pillars:
- Infrastructure Expansion: Expanding production facilities and scaling up advanced testing capabilities.
- Quality Certification: Securing the rigorous EN 9100 quality certification to meet stringent aerospace and defense standards.
- Market Diversification: Scaling up activities in the drone propulsion and microturbine segments tailored for defense requirements.
As Florent Illat, CEO of Safran Corporate Ventures, emphasized, leveraging Akira’s agility in design and rapid prototyping is “essential to accelerating the development of technologies for the future of aviation and meeting the growing needs of the defense sector”. This powerful alliance highlights how European sovereignty is actively forged through the excellence of specialized high-technology partners.
