PR Newswire/Les Echos/

Press release

     Safran selected as COMAC partner on China's C919 150-seat aircraft

Paris, December 21, 2009 - The advanced new LEAP-X1 C engine offered by Safran
and General Electric through their CFM International joint venture has been
selected as the sole western powerplant by COMAC (Commercial Aircraft
Corporation of China, Ltd.) for its new 150-seat aircraft, the C919. COMAC opted
for a complete propulsion system including the engine itself, the nacelle and
the thrust reversers. The nacelle, an integral part of CFM's offer, will be
produced by Nexcelle, also a joint venture between Safran (Aircelle) and GE
(MRAS). COMAC expects its new aircraft to enter service in 2016.

The contract was signed today in Beijing by Eric Bachelet, President and CEO of
CFM International, and Zhang Qingwei, Chairman of COMAC. Also attending the
ceremony were the prime ministers of France and China, François Fillon and Wen
Jiabao.

Jean-Paul Herteman, Chief Executive Officer of Safran, said: "China will
represent the world's largest aviation market within a few years. We are very
proud of our selection by COMAC, and of having this opportunity to contribute to
the success of a new world-class aircraft. The selection of the Safran-GE
alliance on the C919 is the culmination of our strategy based on partnerships
and operations in China reaching back over 30 years. Our latest success confirms
Safran's excellent position in the commercial aviation market, especially in the
single-aisle jet segment."

Zhang Qingwei, Chairman of the Board of COMAC, added: "The quality of the
proposal was decisive in our selection. We are delighted to form this major
partnership with a group that has largely demonstrated its excellence in
aeronautical technologies, and has been able to construct a long-standing
relationship of mutual trust with our country, spanning both business and
industrial aspects."

                              * * * * *

COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd), is the Chinese aerospace
manufacturer established in May 2008 to design and build larger passenger
aircraft with a capacity of 150 passengers or more than.
For more information, www.comac.cc

Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core
businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defense and Security.
Operating worldwide, the Safran group has 54,500 employees and generated sales
exceeding 10 billion euros in 2008. Working alone or in partnership, Safran
holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. The Group
invests heavily in Research & Development to meet the requirements of changing
markets, including expenditures of 1.2 billion euros in 2008. Safran is listed
on NYSE Euronext Paris and its share is part of the SBF 120 and Euronext 100
indexes.
Safran operates several industrial facilities and joint ventures in China,
located in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Chengdu, Guiyang, Yangzhou.
For more information, www.safran-group.com 

Investors and Analysts contact:                                Press Contact :

Pascal BANTEGNIE                                               Catherine MALEK
Safran Vice President, Investor Relations              Press Relations Manager
Tel +33(0)1 40 60 80 45                               Tel +33 (0)1 40 60 80 28
pascal.bantegnieesafran.fr                          catherine.rnalekesafran.fr
                      
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