Defense: what role can SMEs and ETIs play in France's rising capabilities? Launch of a national survey to find out

Paris, [26.02.2026] - With the Armed Forces budget set to rise to a historic €57.1 billion in 2026, and NATO's target of 3.5 % of GDP by 2035, France is stepping up the pace of its defense capabilities. Against this backdrop, France's 4,500 defense SMEs and ETIs play an essential role [...]
GICAT 2026 Greetings - A solid, mobilized and forward-looking defense and security industry

Paris, January 16, 2026 - At GICAT's 2026 New Year's Ceremony, held on Wednesday January 14 at the Bibliothèque nationale de France Richelieu, Emmanuel Levacher, Chairman of GICAT, gave a lucid assessment of the state of the world and the strategic role of the French land and air defense and security industry.
Appointment of Lieutenant General (2S) Marc Ollier as Deputy Delegate General for Defense as of January 15, 2026

Paris, January 13, 2026 - At a special meeting in late December, the Board of Directors of GICAT (Groupement des industries françaises de Défense et de Sécurité terrestres et aéroterrestres) decided to select Lieutenant General (2S) Marc Ollier as the Group's eventual Managing Director. He will [...]
Emmanuel LEVACHER becomes the new president of GICAT

Paris, November 26, 2025 – Following today's Board of Directors meeting, the directors of GICAT (Groupement des Industries Françaises de Défense et de Sécurité terrestres et aéroterrestres) elected Emmanuel LEVACHER as Chairman of the Group. He becomes the fifteenth president and will serve until the next General Meeting, [...]
Milipol Paris 2025 - The GICAT Pavilion: showcasing French innovation in global security

Paris, November 12, 2025 - In the face of rapidly evolving threats - terrorism, cyber attacks, organized crime, critical infrastructure protection - France is asserting itself as a major player in global security. On the occasion of Milipol Paris 2025, GICAT (Groupement des Industries françaises de Défense et de Sécurité terrestres et aéroterrestres) is bringing together French companies [...].
Satory Tech: the Plateau de Satory accelerates its transformation into a center of excellence for defense and innovation

Paris, October 8, 2025. At the opening of the Forum Entreprises Défense (FED) organized on the Plateau de Satory by the Structure intégrée du maintien en condition opérationnelle des matériels terrestres (SIMMT) and the Ile de France Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Groupement des industries Françaises de Défense et de Sécurité terrestres et aéroterrestres [...].
France-Ukraine Defense Innovation Forum: a decisive step in defense industrial cooperation

Paris, July 23, 2025 - The "France-Ukraine Defense Innovation Forum", held in Kyiv from July 16 to 18, 2025, marks a new stage in the structuring of a sustainable Franco-Ukrainian defense industrial partnership. Organized by GICAT, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Ukraine, the Defense Innovation Agency (AID), the French [...]
GICAT's network of regional representatives is off to a flying start!

GICAT, a trade association founded in 1978, today federates nearly 480 companies, including 80 % SMEs throughout France. Our members are the key players in land and air defense and security: a dynamic, innovative and committed ecosystem that spans all our regions. To further anchor [...]
GICAT, partner of the film "13 days, 13 nights" - Discover the press kit in preview

Kabul, August 15, 2021. As American troops prepare to leave the country, the Taliban storm the capital and seize power. Amid the chaos, thousands of Afghans try to take refuge in the last remaining safe haven: the French Embassy. Major Mohamed Bida and his men are the only ones [...].
Salon SOFINS | 2025 Not a step without a drone

RIVOLIER and HEXADRONE join forces to forge a sovereign strategic industrial group. With 200 years of experience, RIVOLIER brings its expertise to the service of the armed forces and public administrations; HEXADRONE brings its ability to create, experiment and manufacture rapidly. Our location in the Loire and Haute Loire regions makes it easy for our two companies in the [...]