US Lawmakers Request Pentagon Review of Safran’s China Ventures

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters.

U.S. lawmakers are intensifying their scrutiny of Western aerospace companies operating in China. On March 20, 2026, Representative John Moolenaar, Chair of the House Select Committee on China, formally asked the Pentagon to review the Chinese joint ventures of French aerospace manufacturers Safran, according to reporting by Reuters.

The request, detailed in a letter sent to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on March 19, 2026, highlights growing concerns over Safran’s commercial relationships with Chinese state-owned aerospace entities. Lawmakers fear these ties could inadvertently bolster the military capabilities of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Safran is a significant U.S. defense contractor, deeply embedded in the military supply chain. This development underscores the increasing friction between globalized commercial aerospace markets and tightening U.S. national security mandates, forcing defense contractors to navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

The Core Concerns and Specific Ventures

Scrutinizing Ties with AVIC

The primary focus of the congressional inquiry centers on Safran’s collaboration with subsidiaries of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). AVIC is a massive state-owned conglomerate responsible for producing fighter jets for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). According to the provided research report, U.S. lawmakers view any collaboration with AVIC subsidiaries as a potential national security risk due to China’s “Military-Civil Fusion” strategy, which mandates the sharing of commercial technological advancements with the military.

Specifically, the letter from Rep. Moolenaar points to a 2012 joint venture between Safran and the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (SAM). This partnership was established to manufacture electrical wiring connection systems for China’s C919 commercial-aircraft passenger jet.

Moolenaar warned in his letter that while Safran’s operations in China appear commercial, collaborating with AVIC subsidiaries could directly support organizations that enhance the CCP’s military modernization.

“We are concerned about Western aerospace companies supporting PRC (People’s Republic of China) military capabilities,” Moolenaar stated in the letter to the Pentagon.

Safran’s U.S. Defense Footprint

A Deeply Embedded Contractor

The urgency of the House panel’s request is amplified by Safran’s extensive involvement in U.S. defense programs. The company has operated in the United States for nearly 50 years, employing thousands of workers across multiple states.

According to the details outlined in the letter to the Pentagon, Safran provides critical technology and maintenance for the U.S. military. This includes developing quantum-sensing technology, supplying landing systems for various military-aircraft, and maintaining engines for the U.S. Army’s UH-72A Lakota helicopters.

Because of this deep integration, lawmakers are demanding greater transparency and alignment with U.S. security interests. Moolenaar emphasized that Western companies doing business with the U.S. government are expected to act in good faith to dismantle relationships that could undermine national security.

A Broader Congressional Probe

Expanding the Scope Beyond Safran

The scrutiny of Safran is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, months-long investigation by the House Select Committee on China into Western aerospace firms. In December 2025, Moolenaar sent a similar letter to the Pentagon raising alarms about European aerospace giant Airbus and its connections to Chinese entities, including the Xi’an Aircraft Industry Group (XAC).

The Department of Defense has also been actively working to remove Chinese influence from its supply chains. In July 2025, Defense Secretary Hegseth initiated a comprehensive review to eliminate the use of China-based engineers by vendors working on Department of Defense cloud and IT systems, citing a heightened digital threat environment.

Safran has previously faced regulatory challenges regarding its operations in China. In December 2022, the company agreed to a $17.2 million settlement with the U.S. government over a bribery case involving its subsidiary, Monogram Systems, which violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in relation to train lavatory contracts.

AirPro News analysis

At AirPro News, we observe that this latest congressional inquiry signals a definitive shift in how the U.S. government treats dual-use aerospace technology. The era of compartmentalizing commercial joint ventures in China from U.S. defense contracting appears to be closing.

Western aerospace manufacturers are increasingly caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war. The lucrative nature of the Chinese commercial aviation market, exemplified by projects like the C919, is now in direct conflict with the stringent security requirements of the Pentagon. Companies like Safran and Airbus may soon be forced to make difficult strategic choices between maintaining access to Chinese commercial partnerships and preserving their status as trusted U.S. defense suppliers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main concern regarding Safran’s operations in China?

U.S. lawmakers are concerned that Safran’s commercial joint ventures with Chinese state-owned aerospace companies, particularly AVIC subsidiaries, could inadvertently support the modernization of China’s military through the country’s Military-Civil Fusion strategy.

What specific joint venture was mentioned in the letter?

The letter highlighted a 2012 joint venture between Safran and the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (SAM) to produce electrical wiring systems for the C919 passenger jet.

How involved is Safran in U.S. defense?

Safran is a major U.S. defense contractor, providing quantum-sensing technology, landing systems, and engine maintenance for military aircraft like the UH-72A Lakota helicopter.

Sources: Reuters