MRO & Manufacturing
Safran Expands Sarasota Facility for Aerospace Electrical Systems MRO
Safran Electrical & Power expands its Sarasota, Florida facility to 140,000 sq ft, enhancing aerospace electrical systems maintenance and supporting U.S. defense programs.
This article is based on an official press release from Safran Electrical & Power.
On March 18, 2026, Safran Electrical & Power officially unveiled its newly expanded facility in Sarasota, Florida. According to a company press release, the site now spans 140,000 square feet and is dedicated to the MRO of aerospace electrical systems. This development establishes the Sarasota location as a central hub for power generation, distribution, and conversion management solutions.
The expansion allows the Sarasota site to manage the entire lifecycle of aircraft electrical systems. As noted in the official announcement, the facility’s capabilities now range from research and technology (R&T) and development to manufacturing and extended maintenance support. The site supports a comprehensive range of electrical equipment for the aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors.
We are observing a broader trend of aerospace consolidation and modernization, and this facility upgrade represents a significant milestone in Safran’s ongoing growth strategy within the United States. By bringing advanced electrical equipment closer to its customer base, the company aims to ensure more efficient service and rapid turnaround times.
A primary driver of this expansion is the consolidation of operations previously located in Orlando, Florida. According to the press release, the new Sarasota facility absorbs all electrical activities previously performed by Thales in Orlando. Industry research notes that Safran completed the Acquisitions of Thales’ aeronautical electrical systems business in October 2023, a unit that generated €145 million in revenue in 2022 and employed nearly 600 people globally.
With this integration complete, the Sarasota facility now offers specialized maintenance of electrical generators, power electronics, and lithium battery systems. The site is also equipped with enhanced engineering and service infrastructure dedicated to the servicing of rotating machines. Operations at the newly expanded site have already commenced.
Company leadership emphasized the strategic importance of the expansion for both commercial and military applications. In the official release, Bruno Bellanger, CEO of Safran Electrical & Power, highlighted the operational benefits of the new footprint:
“This expansion demonstrates our commitment to strengthening operations in the United States. Our enhanced MRO capabilities bring advanced electrical equipment closer to our customers, ensuring efficient service and rapid turnaround.”, Bruno Bellanger, CEO of Safran Electrical & Power
The Sarasota expansion directly supports Safran’s growing portfolio of defense contracts. According to supplementary industry research, Bell Textron selected Safran in May 2024 to provide the advanced high-voltage starter-generator system for the U.S. Army’s new Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program. The design, development, and qualification for this critical Military-Aircraft system were specifically assigned to Safran’s centers of excellence, including the Sarasota facility. This military connection underscores that the Sarasota plant is actively developing next-generation defense technology, moving beyond the repair of legacy commercial components to support emerging strategic requirements.
The expansion also contextualizes Safran’s investment within Florida’s rapidly growing aerospace sector. The Sarasota facility has been operational since 1978 and was acquired by Safran in 2015. Today, it is part of a massive regional industry. According to industry data, Florida witnessed a record-breaking 109 orbital launches in 2025, and the state’s “Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing” sector is projected to reach a market size of $5.4 billion in 2026, employing over 11,400 workers.
Nationwide, Safran supports approximately 11,000 American jobs across 25 states. Peter Lengyel, President & CEO of Safran USA, noted the importance of the region in the company’s press release:
“We welcome the expansion of Safran Electrical & Power’s Sarasota facility, which strengthens our presence in Florida, a major aerospace hub. Safran has been operating in the United States for more than half a century…”, Peter Lengyel, President & CEO of Safran USA
We view the Sarasota expansion as a calculated move to capitalize on two major aviation trends: defense modernization and aircraft electrification. By fully integrating Thales’ power conversion expertise and adding specialized maintenance for lithium battery systems, Safran is positioning the Sarasota facility to support the Aviation industry’s broader push toward hybrid-electric propulsion and decarbonization. Furthermore, the physical consolidation of the Orlando operations into Sarasota represents the final, tangible step in integrating the 2023 Thales buyout, streamlining overhead while expanding technical capabilities under one roof.
According to the company’s press release, the expanded Sarasota facility now spans 140,000 square feet.
Following the integration of Thales’ Orlando operations, the facility now offers specialized maintenance of electrical generators, power electronics, and lithium battery systems, alongside the servicing of rotating machines.
Industry research indicates the Sarasota facility is a center of excellence for the design and development of the advanced high-voltage starter-generator system for the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program.
Sources:
Consolidating Operations and Expanding Capabilities
The Thales Integration
Leadership Perspectives
Strategic Military Alignment and Regional Growth
Powering Next-Generation Defense Platforms
Florida’s Booming Aerospace Economy
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Photo Credit: Safran