Defense sector in Montluçon flourishes during current industry boom at Safran factory
Firing Up the Factories: A Fresh Look at Safran's AASM Production
Friend, let's talk turbulence and precision in the world of defense, shall we? There's a hive of activity brewing up in the Safran factory nestled in Montluçon, France. These bad boys are churning out guidance kits for the AASM (Air-Sol Modulaire weapon system), a nifty little gadget turning ordinary bombs into GPS- and laser-guided munitions.
In 2025, this factory is on fire, rolling out an impressive 1,200 propulsion and guidance kits—400 more than last year. If new orders roll in, Safran promises they could crank up the production speed twice as fast as before. That's music to the ears of France's Minister of Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, who expressed his delight on March 8 in La Tribune*.
Ah, but this factory's been on a rollercoaster ride since the early 2010s. A decade ago, the lack of orders nearly brought production to a screeching halt. But the export success of the Rafale (yeah, think high-tech fighter jets), for which these AASM kits are initially intended, managed to keep the factory afloat. Fast-forward to 2022, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent production soaring—it quadrupled since 2022, to be exact!
That isn't all. French stocks have been restocked in parallel, while the AASMs (250 and 1,000 kg) have been adapted for Ukraine's MiG-29, Sukhoi-27, and Mirage 2000 fighter jets. But here's the kicker: if Ukraine wants to get their grubby little paws on these AASMs, they'd either need to integrate them into their current Soviet-era fighters (a long shot) or snag some NATO-standard jets like the F-16, should France approve AASM exports.
Now, don't go getting your hopes up, pal. No confirmed reports of AASM deliveries to Ukraine as of April 2025*. But these enhanced-range and precision munitions would be mighty handy for Ukraine in taking out those sneaky Russian rear-line targets. The French defense crew's mum on any discussions regarding AASM transfers, keeping the operational impact on Ukraine shrouded in mystery until further notice.
So there you have it! The Montluçon factory's been a busy beaver, and it seems these AASM kits will continue to play a significant role in air-to-ground strikes. Intrigued? Us too! Stay tuned for more updates on this ol' dance between nations.
*Sources: 1. La Tribune 2. Warfare.pk
- The increased production of AASM guidance kits in Safran's Montluçon factory will reach 1,200 units in 2025, an increase of 400 from the previous year.
- With the potential for additional orders, Safran has indicated they could double their production speed for AASM kits, which are instrumental in the Rafale fighter jets.
- Export of AASM kits has been key to keeping the Montluçon factory operational, a fact evident since the early 2010s due to the export success of the Rafale.
- If approved, Ukraine could receive AASM kits to be integrated into their fighter jets, such as the MiG-29, Sukhoi-27, or Mirage 2000, subject to discussions between French and Ukrainian authorities.
