Armament is a hot topic in the public opinion. Nevertheless, defense continues to progress in France. In the Grand Est and Haute-Marne regions, this is what Ariades observes, a cluster that supports companies in developing expertise in the aerospace, space, and defense sectors.
It coordinates, structures, and develops the aerospace, space, and defense sector in the Grand Est. That is Ariades, a cluster founded in 2003. To date, it has about a hundred member companies, a number that is constantly growing.
“We are here to support industrialists in building competency and maturity in these sectors,” said Bernard Fouilhac Gary, its director, met last Thursday at the Nogent know-how exhibition. “The goal is to allow small and medium-sized enterprises to access the sector in the Grand Est region. We are part of the French Defense and Security Land and Air Land Industries Group (GICAT) and the French Aerospace and Space Industries Group (GIFAS).”
In an increasingly tense international context where threats continue to grow, interest in the defense and armament industry is increasing. The government has urged industrialists to accelerate their pace.
“Public orders are not yet significant with our suppliers in the Grand Est, but we need to be ready. Currently, there is a form of inertia, a lot of observation, a lot of setup, but there will likely be programs launching,” stresses Bernard Fouilhac Gary. The 2024-2030 Military Planning Law supports his certainty: it foresees a 40% increase in defense spending, whether for equipment or personnel, totaling 413 billion euros over seven years.
Securing contracts in the sector, the bonus
Ariades, under agreement with the DGA (General Directorate of Armaments) and the Grand Est Region, is engaged in two major missions: assisting its members at trade shows and business conventions, such as the Paris Air Show, and offering sector animation and networking, through, among other things, thematic meetings.
Just like Forgeavia in Biesles, where the next gathering will take place in April, several other companies from Haute-Marne, such as Chesneau Serret, Acemtec, and SMAC in Chanoy, are part of this cluster. Ultimately, these exchanges can open doors to secure contracts in the sector, as subcontractors for aerospace and defense giants, which Ariades will also benefit from.
Last November, the cluster launched a new initiative called “Horizons 2026,” offering training to forty companies in diversification. “Many companies have expressed interest,” says Bernard Fouilhac Gary, mentioning Gillet Tools, a specialist in specific tool manufacturing in Nogent.
<p"Today, defense relies heavily on exports. We're talking about CAESAR cannons, Rafales, missile or ammunition production. There is a strong need to increase capacity. For example, two and a half Rafales are produced each month. The goal is to increase that to four," details the president of Ariades. Illustrating this trend with numbers, the Safran group has increased its workforce by 18% in Molsheim (Alsace) between early 2024 and mid-2025. Participation in armament is a defense industry secret for companies today. But the reality is clear: behind the scenes, everyone is active.
Delphine Catalifaud
