Airbus and Safran to Take Full Ownership of Aubert & Duval

Airbus SE and Safran SA will take full ownership of critical aerospace materials supplier Aubert & Duval, buying out alternative asset management group Tikehau Capital to secure a vital European supply chain link.

In a joint press release issued on June 25, 2026, the companies announced a binding agreement that will see Airbus and Safran equally divide Tikehau Capital’s stake. The transaction transitions Aubert & Duval to full aerospace industry ownership, culminating a three-year turnaround phase that began when the consortium originally acquired the struggling supplier from French mining and metallurgy group Eramet on April 28, 2023.

Financial turnaround and operational scale

The exit of Tikehau Capital follows a period of significant financial growth for the materials supplier. According to historical data reported by PE Hub, Aubert & Duval was generating approximately €550 million in annual revenue at the time of the 2023 acquisition. Following a major transformation led by the three shareholders alongside the supplier’s management team, current annual revenue has grown to approximately €960 million.

The supplier operates at a massive industrial scale, employing approximately 4,400 staff across 10 industrial sites, eight of which are located in France. Aubert & Duval specializes in forged parts and complex metallic materials, including specialist steels, superalloys, titanium, and aluminum. These materials are essential components for aerospace, defense, energy, and healthcare applications.

Securing the European aerospace supply-chain

The acquisition consolidates control of a critical European industrial asset. By taking direct ownership, Airbus and Safran aim to secure the supply of critical materials required for future aerospace programs and stabilize production rates across the sector. The move strengthens European industrial sovereignty in an era of constrained global supply chains.

The press release noted that the transition to full aerospace ownership also supports broader industry decarbonization efforts, specifically highlighting initiatives such as titanium recycling. Completion of the acquisitions remains subject to standard regulatory approvals, and specific regulatory authorities reviewing the transaction were not named in the initial announcement.

AirPro News analysis

We view this transaction as a clear indicator of the ongoing shift in aerospace manufacturing strategy. Major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly moving away from purely transactional supplier relationships in favor of direct ownership of critical supply chain nodes. By absorbing Aubert & Duval entirely into the aerospace ecosystem, Airbus and Safran are insulating their production lines from geopolitical material shortages and market volatility. The exit of Tikehau Capital suggests the initial financial stabilization phase is complete, allowing the industrial partners to focus purely on long-term material security and production ramp-ups rather than financial restructuring.

Sources: Airbus