REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES DEFENCE

Aerospace Valley supported the implementation of the SME Action plan of the Ministry of the Armed Forces the aim of which is to support the turnover of SMEs, their innovations and their export actions along with their access to Europe.

The action of the Aerospace Valley cluster, in support of defence innovation, was illustrated by support with submitting 8 project applications to the Defence Innovation Agency’s Single Office in line with nine priority topics defined by the Etats-Majors, Departments and Services to direct open innovation, the study of which is still underway.

The development of European industrial and technological autonomy was also one of the Cluster’s focus actions with support for two SME projects submitted by its members to the 2022 European  Defence Fund. Connections were also established with Thalès, Nexter, Safran, Naval Group and Ariane Groupe with the aim of participating with them to answer the major tenders of the 2022 European Defence Fund.

The activities of the defence innovation clusters in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions were also supported:

Aerospace Valley took part in the three year anniversary of ALIENOR in March 2023 along with the launch of the  4th expression of interest including four operational needs of the armies – 46 applications were filed to answer it.

In the Occitanie region, the IDEA3 defence technical innovation cluster launched its second expression of interest including seven operational needs of the armies.

Some key actions:

• The Cluster’s presence at the Conseil Régional Nouvelle-Aquitaine stand at SOFINS 2023 and support for five member companies ;
•  Organisation by the Cluster of  La Journée Annuelle de la Défense (Annual Defence Day) in November, 2022 in Toulouse including hosting 170 participants, the involvement of representatives from the Ministry and the organization of 220 BtoB meetings.

• The joint organization with the PRIMUS cluster on behalf of the DGA of the SME Export Day in April 2022 at the Toulouse Chamber of Commerce and Industry bringing together  80 participants.