Safran renews its MCO contract with the French government

Safran Helicopter Engines and the Aeronautical Maintenance Department (DMAé) have renewed their contract to maintain State helicopter engines in operational condition for 10 years. Named Saturne (Advanced Support for State Turbines), the contract ensures the availability and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) of all 1,500 engines powering the Army’s Light Aviation helicopters (ALAT), the Air and Space Force, the National Navy, Civil Security, the Gendarmerie, Customs and the DGA Flight tests.

The contract covers most of Safran’s helicopter engines, including the Arrano 1A powering the new H160M Guépard being developed for the HIL program (Helicopter Interarmy Light), as well as the H160 operated by the National Gendarmerie and DGA Essais in flight.

Franck Saudo, President of Safran Helicopter Engines, said: “With the signing of the Saturne contract, the French government renews its confidence in Safran Helicopter Engines to ensure the availability of its fleet of 1,600 helicopter engines. The renewal of this operational condition contract is a source of pride for the men and women of Safran Helicopter Engines. It motivates us to aim for excellence, in line with our ambition to continue to deliver the “best of the best” in terms of quality of service to our customers. We are committed to ensuring 100% engine availability on the French State fleet, whether in France, overseas and in external operations, as we have been doing continuously for more than 14 years.

Saturne is part of the strategy of verticalization of DMAé support contracts, particularly in terms of increased responsibility for Safran and availability management.

Safran Helicopter Engines’ MCO contract with the French State was signed in 2001 and renewed in 2011. It guarantees a high level of performance and availability within a controlled budget. With Saturne, the scope of services extends to the use of engine operating data and the provision of digital services to simplify day-to-day maintenance management.

The Saturne contract is managed from the Safran Helicopter Engines site in Tarnos, France.

Emblematic of the relationship between the French State and Safran Helicopter Engines, MCO represents a model in terms of performance and costs. The OEM is applying it to other government customers, including the UK, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Portugal.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Safran Helicopter Engines.