CASABLANCA, Morocco, Dec 6 (Reuters) - France's Safran does not exclude launching a protest against Italy's decision to block part of its planned $1.8 billion purchase of the flight control systems business of Collins Aerospace , Chief Executive Olivier Andries said.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni vetoed the acquisition of Collins' Italian subsidiary Microtecnica last month, citing national security and concerns over a "strategic" asset. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Christopher Cushing)