Safran seeks to acquire maritime drone maker Exail for €2.2 billion

French aerospace and defense giant Safran is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Exail Technologies, a leading maker of maritime drones and underwater mine-countermeasure systems, for approximately €2.2 billion ($2.5 billion) at a proposed price of €128.50 per share. The deal would involve Safran purchasing the Gorgé family's controlling 44% stake in Exail, followed by a mandatory public offer, as European defense companies push to consolidate amid a historic rearmament surge in the region. While the acquisition highlights growing strategic interest in Russia-exploitable underwater drone technology for operations like mine-clearing in the Strait of Hormuz, Safran has cautioned there is no certainty the talks will result in a final agreement, leaving investors waiting on the outcome as Exail shares rose nearly 20% on the news.