Aerospace Valley has helped to foster the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie ecosystem to attract national and international funding for R&T and innovation, and to support defence innovation:
•    Support for securing funding for key research and capability development projects in Europe, with 19 projects from Aerospace Valley members selected for the European Defence Fund 2025, including 8 projects coordinated by a member of the cluster.
•    Aerospace Valley supported two Occitan companies that were successful applicants in the first edition of the EUDIS Business Accelerator (a European Union programme for defence technologies) by facilitating the emergence, maturation and integration of disruptive technologies into the European defence ecosystem. Thanks to the Cluster’s support, three members were selected for the third cohort (2025) of the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator. Aerospace Valley took part in the 5th Call for Expressions of Interest from the ALIENOR defence innovation cluster, which closed on 8 September 2025; the aim was to identify solutions capable of delivering performance gains and technological breakthroughs in the field of aerial targets travelling at supersonic speeds and capable of reaching very high altitudes.
•    In addition, the IDEA3 defence innovation cluster published its 4th Call for Expressions of Interest, which closed at the end of March 2026, relating to a requirement from the Airborne Troops School for a logistics cargo drone.

NOTEWORTHY

•    Defence Day on 6 November 2025 in Bordeaux, hosting 160 participants, featuring presentations by various ministerial representatives and organising nearly 120 B2B meetings
•    DGA SME and Mid-Cap Export Day on 25 November 2025 in Montpellier (70 participants)
•    AID Defence Innovation Forum from 27 to 28 November 2025: Aerospace Valley stand, with three member companies of the cluster in attendance
•    Webinar presenting the European Defence Fund 2025 on 4 February 2026
•    SIAE 2025: Organisation of the visit by the Director-General for Armaments (Emmanuel Chiva) to defence companies present at the Occitanie Region’s stand

OUTLOOK

Against a backdrop characterised by rising geopolitical tensions, increased European defence investment and the emergence of new areas of conflict, Aerospace Valley intends to strengthen its role as a catalyst for innovation and in shaping the Defence Industrial and Technological Base in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie. Building on its track record in supporting defence innovation projects, securing national and European funding, and fostering the regional ecosystem, the Cluster will continue its efforts to promote the development of sovereign technologies, support strategic SMEs and start-ups, develop skills, and integrate regional stakeholders into major European and allied capability programmes. Aerospace Valley thus aims to consolidate an innovative, resilient and competitive defence sector, serving the interests of national and European sovereignty.
To this end, the Cluster will sign the Gironde Economic Triad agreement in June 2026, designed to establish joint cooperation initiatives so that the defence and industrial sectors can get to know one another better and share a number of priorities: mobilising the local business community in support of the defence economy; reindustrialisation geared towards economic and military sovereignty; identifying and cross-pollinating talent pools; developing cyber security; protecting strategic assets and information; and risk management. The Cluster has been identified as a key player within this economic triad because it is well-placed to engage with the organisations that form the fabric of the region, linking them with the local military community to foster win-win partnerships.