GKN Aerospace and ArianeGroup sign new Ariane 6 contract

Image courtesy GKN Aerospace

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 programme 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.

Stefan Oscarsson, Senior Vice President Engines, said: "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."

Stéphane Nogatchewsky, Chief Procurement Officer ArianeGroup, said: “This fruitful collaboration with a major industrial partner is an important step towards the Ariane 6 programme. 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.”

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.

Operating in 12 countries, GKN Aerospace employs a workforce of 16,000 employees across more than 30 locations. GKN Aerospace has global sales of £3.4 billion and is listed under its parent company name Melrose Industries Plc.
 
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).

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.