Engines are the driving force behind Snecma (Soci�t� Nationale d'�tude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Avion). The manufacturer of engines for aircraft and rockets is the oldest engine maker in the world and one of the largest engine makers worldwide, along with GE Aircraft Engines, Rolls-Royce, and Pratt & Whitney. Nearly a century of acquisitions have added aircraft equipment and services to its offerings. The Messier-Dowty unit is a leader among landing gear companies, and Messier-Bugatti is Europe's braking systems leader. Snecma was acquired by electronics maker Sagem in 2005 and the two companies combined to form SAFRAN.