October 2026
Largest Aircraft & Space Systems Public Companies in France
Benchmark revenue and EBITDA valuation multiples for public comps like
Airbus, Safran, Thales, Dassault Aviation and Figeac Aero.
 | Airbus is a global aerospace and defense firm that designs, develops, and manufactures commercial and military jets and helicopters, as well as space launch vehicles and satellites. The company operates three divisions: commercial, defense and space, and helicopters. Commercial offers multiple configurations of aircraft ranging from the narrow-body (120-200 seats) A220 and A320 series to the much larger A330 and A350 wide-body models. The defense and space segment supplies governments with military hardware, including transport aircraft, aerial tankers, and the Eurofighter Typhoon multirole jet. The helicopter division manufactures turbine helicopters for the civil and public markets. | $213 | -14% | $169B | $165B | 2.0x | 15.5x | ||
| Safran is a Paris-listed aerospace and defence group formed in 2005 from the merger of Snecma and Sagem. Its propulsion division produces aircraft and helicopter engines and provides parts and maintenance over their operating lives. Other businesses supply landing gear, nacelles, electrical systems, avionics, defence equipment and aircraft interiors. Safran participates with GE Aerospace in CFM International, a major supplier of engines for narrow-body commercial aircraft. Airlines, airframers, armed forces and government customers buy the group’s products and services worldwide. Revenue comes from original equipment, aftermarket parts, maintenance and long-term service contracts. Safran acquired Indian test-systems specialist Captronic from Axon Partners in August 2022. | $353 | -1% | $146B | $145B | 4.1x | 11.1x | ||
| Thales is a French aerospace and defense industrial and one of Europe’s largest defense contractors. The company has three segments: defense and security provides sensors, mission systems, communications, and control systems to European and export defense customers; aerospace sells avionics and satellites to the civil, defense, and governmental markets; and digital identity and security provides biometric, data, and identity security solutions, payments services, and the manufacturing of SIM cards. | $252 | -12% | $52B | $52B | 2.1x | 14.2x | ||
| Dassault Aviation, controlled by the French Dassault Group, designs, builds, and maintains military fighter jets and is one of the largest manufacturers of business jets. It holds a 26.6% stake in defense electronics group Thales, whose earnings contribution accounts for roughly half of Dassault's adjusted net income. In 2025, Dassault Aviation generated EUR 7.4 billion in revenue with over 15,000 employees. About 63% of revenue comes from defense aircraft and services, while Falcon business jets generate the remaining 37%. | $325 | +1% | $25B | $14B | 1.7x | 9.0x | ||
| Figeac Aero SA specializes in the production of structural components in light alloys and hard metals, engine parts, landing gear, and sub-assemblies intended for use in the aeronautics industry. Its segments comprise Aerostructures & Aeroengines, generating maximum revenue, and Defense & Energy. The Aerostructures & Aeroengines segment includes manufacturing of structural parts and engine parts for the aerospace industry, while the Defense & Energy segment includes activities for the non-aerospace defense, hydropower, nuclear, and oil industries. The Group generates the majority of its revenue from pre-production, development other than series production, and series production of parts and sub-assemblies. | $12 | -12% | $550M | $841M | 1.5x | 11.1x | ||
| Embention is a Spanish autonomous-systems company founded in 2007 and based in Alicante. It designs and manufactures Veronte autopilots and other safety-critical components for unmanned aircraft and autonomous vehicles. The product range includes control stations, transponders, tracking antennas, video links, altimeters and camera systems. Customers use the technology in drones, eVTOL aircraft, air taxis, ground vehicles and maritime platforms. Embention supplies professional, aerospace and defence programs that require certifiable control hardware and engineering support. Revenue comes from equipment sales, software, integration and technical services. Axon Partners invested EUR 7.5 million in August 2022 to expand production and international commercialization. | $27 | -24% | $155M | $146M | 9.8x | 19.5x | ||
| NSE SA is engaged in developing, designing, and selling integrated systems and support services in the defense, aerospace and electronics sectors. It offers onboard electronic and electromechanical navigation systems and equipment, Flight data monitoring and tracking, Intelligent geolocation systems. | $38 | -23% | $126M | $135M | 1.1x | 10.3x | ||
| Sogeclair SA an engineering and manufacturing company, accomplishes design and co-development projects for industrial accounts and develops simulation and virtual reality solutions. It operates in Aerospace, Vehicle, and Simulation divisions. The Aerospace division develops configuration management, as well as is involved in operational quality and processes, and tools consulting and support activities. The Vehicle division engages in the areas of engineering for the design and production of civilian and military vehicles. The Simulation division develops and provides solutions in the area of research, design, and training simulators, as well as offers simulation workshops and software. | $33 | +14% | $102M | $120M | 0.7x | 5.7x | ||
| Drone Volt SA is engaged in the design, assembly and marketing of remote-controlled terrestrial and aerial drones for TV channels broadcasting, security and surveillance, transportation, agriculture and topography. | $0 | -63% | $29M | $29M | 2.9x | (2.6x) | ||
| Median | $38 | -12% | $550M | $841M | 2.0x | 11.1x |
Financial data powered by FactSet and Morningstar. Valuation multiples as of current fiscal year. For more data, start your free trial here.
Recent Insights
Start Your
Free Trial Today
Try Multiples for free for 3 days. Got questions or need a demo? Schedule a call with us below.