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 president of the Group. He becomes its fifteenth president and will serve until the next General Meeting, scheduled for July 8, 2026.

He thus succeeds Nicolas CHAMUSSY, former Managing Director of KNDS France, whose commitment to the industry has been unanimously praised by members and his successor alike. Emmanuel LEVACHER has also indicated that he wants to «be part of the strategy currently being rolled out, with a focus on openness, high standards, and pragmatism. This is particularly important in an uncertain political context, which requires increased vigilance with regard to the possible consequences of budgetary constraints or decisions that could have a negative impact on the land and air-land sector.»

A graduate of Columbia University (1982), École de Management de Lyon (1985), IEP Paris (1987), and INSEAD (1998 and 2022), Emmanuel LEVACHER has a solid international background. He began his career in 1989 at Renault Trucks, where he held successive positions in export financing, international zone management, and then as head of the subsidiary in the Czech Republic. From 2002 to 2008, he held several management positions related to the mid-range product line, partnerships, and international operations. In 2008, he joined Renault SAS as Director of Sales and Marketing for Asia and Africa, before being appointed Director of International Affairs at Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles in India in 2014. Since 2015, he has been Chief Executive Officer of ARQUUS. He is also a Knight of the Legion of Honor.

Founded in 1978, GICAT now has more than 480 members—large corporations, mid-sized companies, SMEs, and start-ups—covering a wide range of industrial, technological, research, service, and consulting activities for military and civilian players in land and air-land defense and security, both in France and internationally.

GICAT's influence is also based on two major international trade shows, EUROSATORY (France) and ExpoDefensa (Colombia), organized by its subsidiary COGES EVENTS, as well as the numerous French pavilions it brings together around the world.