REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES DEFENCE
The Cluster supports the Defence Industrial and Technological Base (BITD) to forge France’s arms and munitions.
The deteriorating international context has made it more critical than ever to strengthen France’s capability to defend its strategic interests. We have undeniable assets such as our defence industrial and technological base, which powers a comprehensive, effective military model. Aerospace Valley has been supporting this French strategic ecosystem bringing together nine leading European and world groups as well as their vast network of sub-contractors and suppliers. To expand our capabilities and tailor resources to threats, the challenge of funding our BITD companies is currently being addressed by the public authorities.
THE ACHIEVEMENTS
Aerospace Valley has worked in close collaboration with the Defence Industry Directorate of the DGA to help develop industrial capacity equipped to meet the challenges of the war economy.
Aerospace Valley’s efforts to support defence innovation included providing assistance with the submission of 11 RAPID or single window applications to the Defence Innovation Agency in compliance with the priority areas defined by the General Staff, Departments and Services to guide open innovation.
The cluster also provided assistance to obtain funding for structural research and development projects in Europe. Notably Aerospace Valley provided support for three SME projects driven by its members through the European defence fund 2024.
The activity of the defence innovation clusters in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions has also been supported: Aerospace Valley took part in the 3rd IDEA3 expression of interest which closed on March 12, 2025 containing eight operational needs of armies – 76 project proposals were received. The projects are under consideration.
NOTEWORTHY
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Supporting our members on the NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) accelerator program;
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The presence of Aerospace Valley at the Nouvelle- Aquitaine region’s stands at SOFINS (April, 2024), Eurosatory (June, 2024) as well as AD2S (Aerospace Summit of Bordeaux in September, 2024).
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Organization of the SME Tour of the DGA Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine in Agen on June 26, 2024 bringing together over 180 participants around key actors of the Ministry of Defence as well as industrial defence contractors and 320 BtoB meetings honoured;
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Participation in the event dedicated to operational innovation within the 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment on September 12, 2024 in Tarbes with industrial companies and the DGA.
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Organization of the workshop with the Air and Space Force, “Towards autonomous mission control of non-kinetic drones”, on October 15, 2024 on the 118air base of Mont-de-Marsan.
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Organization of the Aerospace Valley Journée Défense or Defence Day on November 27th, 2024 in Toulouse. 155 participants attended the event which featured interventions by different ministerial actors. 118 BtoB meetings took place.
In 2024, Aerospace Valley’s commitment, professionalism, efficiency and the support and assistance it provided, as part of the partnership between the cluster and the DGA, to around one hundred companies in the BITD mainly in Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, have once again been recognized and appreciated by the DGA.
DGA/Defense industry Directorate/Industrial guidance department