GKN Aerospace and ArianeGroup strengthen partnership with new Ariane 6 contract

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Ariane Launcher (1)
  • Agreement reinforces a long-term partnership that plays a key role in securing Europe’s independent access to space
  • Frame Contract secures GKN Aerospace’s role in exploitation phase – the operational launch phase - of Ariane 6
  •  ArianeGroup retains supplier of critical components for both Vulcain 2.1 and Vinci engines for the industrial ramp-up of Ariane 6
  • Space market also a leading driver of innovation and technology for GKN Aerospace’s wider business

GKN Aerospace and ArianeGroup have signed a new Frame Contract for the operational phase of Ariane 6, securing Europe’s access to space for years to come and building on a partnership spanning over five decades. It is the first agreement between ArianeGroup and a major industrial partner as the new European launcher enters its industrial ramp-up.

The new agreement confirms GKN Aerospace’s continued deliveries to the Ariane 6 program throughout the launcher’s operational life, following its successful maiden flight in July 2024 and the first commercial mission in March 2025.

ArianeGroup, a French-German leader in space technology, secures several mission-critical components for the Ariane 6 launch vehicle supplied by GKN Aerospace, including:

-LH₂ and LOX turbines for the first-stage Vulcain 2.1 engine
-Nozzle extension for the Vulcain 2.1 engine
-LH₂ and LOX turbines for the second-stage Vinci engine

These components have been developed in collaboration with ArianeGroup under a European Space Agency (ESA) programme and are produced at GKN Aerospace’s engines centre of excellence in Trollhättan, Sweden.

Ariane 6 is Europe’s next-generation launch vehicle, ensuring independent access to space and offering an efficient, flexible solution for a wide range of institutional and commercial missions. It is launched from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana.

We are proud to continue our long-term collaboration within the Ariane programme. Signing this contract secures our future contribution to European space launch capability and reinforces our partnership with ArianeGroup as we move forward with Ariane 6.

Stefan Oscarsson Senior Vice President Engines

This fruitful collaboration with a major industrial partner is an important step towards the Ariane 6 program. I would like to thank the teams at GKN Aerospace and ArianeGroup. This contract shows the progress in the negotiations with our partners for the exploitation phase and underscores our determination to make the Ariane 6 ramp-up a success.

Stéphane Nogatchewsky Chief Procurement Officer ArianeGroup

GKN Aerospace has been a trusted partner in the Ariane programme since its inception. This new contract marks the next chapter in a long-standing collaboration, focused on innovation, reliability, and ensuring Europe’s independent access to space.

ArianeGroup is an industrial company delivering critical missions for the space and defence sectors. With 8,300 highly qualified employees in France and Germany, ArianeGroup has unique expertise in access to space, covering the full spectrum of civil and military launch systems, including design, development, manufacturing, integration, flight preparation, operational readiness and end-of-life decommissioning. ArianeGroup is lead contractor for the Ariane 6 European launcher for the European Space Agency (ESA), and for the French oceanic deterrent force M51 strategic missile for the French Defence Armament Procurement Agency (DGA). Internationally recognised for its innovative, competitive solutions, ArianeGroup has expertise in state-of-the-art technologies, from the chemistry of propellants and composite materials, to liquid, solid and electric space propulsion systems. ArianeGroup also offers a broad range of space, defence and industrial equipment and services, both individually and together with its subsidiaries Sodern, Pyroalliance, Nuclétudes and APP. In the field of space launchers, ArianeGroup’s subsidiary Arianespace markets Ariane 6, and its subsidiary MaiaSpace develops and markets the reusable launcher Maia. ArianeGroup, equally owned by Airbus and Safran, posted consolidated revenues of €2.5 billion in 2024.
 
Press contact at ArianeGroup 
Gregor WASCHINSKI – T. +33 (0) 7 81 21 41 75 [email protected]
Camille SOHIER – T. +33 (0)6 49 00 90 75 [email protected]