Entreprises de défense en France

Alta Ares builds AI-powered defence autonomy systems, spanning interceptor drones, ISR video intelligence, MLOps tooling and autonomous guidance software for unmanned platforms.

Builds fixed-wing surveillance and reconnaissance drones for military, border security and government customers, with production based entirely in France.

Builds drag sails and solar sails for satellite deorbiting and deep space propulsion.

Builds autonomous drone interceptors, strike and reconnaissance systems, radar and electronic warfare payloads and the command software that coordinates them.

Hemeria develops tactical mission systems spanning space, ocean and constrained environments, including satellite platforms and strategic systems for defence customers.

Designs, owns and operates spacecraft to provide inspection, life extension and end-of-life services for geostationary satellites, using autonomous vision-based navigation technology.

Builds a dedicated launch vehicle for small satellites, along with the 3D-printed Navier rocket engines that power it.

Lumibird develops laser technologies and military laser rangefinders for defence, naval, aerospace, industrial and medical applications.

Reusable micro-launcher for European sovereign access to space, developing Maia rocket. ArianeGroup subsidiary.

Builds radio-frequency jammers for countering drones and remote-controlled IEDs, including the NEROD jamming rifles, along with passive drone detection sensors.

French space propulsion company developing iodine and water-based in-orbit mobility systems for satellite constellations, orbital manoeuvring and sustainable space operations.

Cavok UAS designs and manufactures professional drone platforms in France, offering configurable systems for long-range surveillance, defence, counter-drone work, maritime missions and logistics.

Designs FPGA-based embedded computing modules, PCIe and VPX boards for electronic warfare, radar and high-performance signal processing. Backed by the French defence ministry's Definvest fund.

ALSEAMAR develops underwater gliders, acoustic systems, radiocommunication and subsea solutions for naval defence, special forces and maritime operations.

Builds Prevail, a command and control platform whose AI agents read operational orders, analyse terrain and generate courses of action for military headquarters.

Open-source cyber threat intelligence and adversarial exposure validation platforms used by 6,000+ organisations worldwide, from national intelligence agencies to global enterprises.

Syntony GNSS develops positioning, navigation and timing technologies, including GNSS simulation, reception and coverage-extension systems for aerospace and constrained environments.

Operates a LEO satellite constellation that detects radio frequency signals from ships at sea, tracking dark vessels that disable AIS transponders to avoid detection.

CILAS develops laser and optics systems for armed forces, including missile-guidance lasers, anti-drone systems and optical coatings for defence and space applications.

Builds post-quantum cryptography software that helps governments, financial institutions and critical infrastructure operators inventory their cryptographic assets and migrate to quantum-resistant encryption.

Builds naval mine countermeasures systems, inertial navigation technology, autonomous maritime vessels and photonics instruments for defence, maritime and aerospace operators across 80+ countries.

Exosens develops amplification, detection and imaging technologies for defence, night vision, surveillance, nuclear, scientific and industrial applications.

Builds sovereign European video intelligence software that detects threats, anomalies and security incidents in real time for defence, law enforcement and critical infrastructure operators.

World leader in full-stack photonic quantum computing, developing hardware, middleware, and software for industrial applications including energy, cybersecurity, and finance.

Provides offensive and defensive cybersecurity services and software protection tools for software manufacturers, government agencies and defence organisations.

French aerial intelligence startup building an autonomous long-range VTOL drone network for persistent surveillance of borders, critical infrastructure and public-safety missions.

Develops network firewalls, endpoint protection and data encryption products for European defence, government and critical infrastructure organisations, as a subsidiary of Airbus CyberSecurity.

EOS Technologie designs and manufactures fixed-wing UAVs for ISR and ISTAR missions, including the Strix 500, Veloce 330 and Rodeur 330 drone platforms for armed-forces use.

Electric propulsion systems, the spacevan orbital transfer vehicle and ExoOPS mission-design software for satellite operators. Delivered a bespoke version of ExoOPS to the French Space Command under a contract with the Defence Innovation Agency.

Builds endpoint detection and response software for European enterprises and government agencies, with cloud and on-premises deployment options certified by ANSSI and the German BSI.

Develops laser light-shaping technology for optical ground stations, free-space laser communications and directed energy weapons for space and defence markets.

Develops radio frequency counter-drone systems for armed forces, government institutions and critical infrastructure operators, covering detection, identification and neutralisation of hostile UAVs.

Designs and manufactures waterproof, inflatable maritime mini-UAVs for ISR and search-and-rescue missions in naval, coastal and high-humidity environments where conventional drones cannot operate.

Network detection and response platform providing deep packet inspection for military networks and critical national infrastructure.

Builds cloud-native software for satellite command-and-control, pass orchestration and ground station monitoring.

Develops neuromorphic computing solutions for frugal AI applications in defence and aerospace. Creates brain-inspired computing systems for energy-efficient AI processing.

Designs and markets highly integrated mixed-signal semiconductors, including data converter chips and custom SoCs, for defence and aerospace, communications and test and measurement applications.

Magneto-inertial navigation technology that geolocates soldiers and vehicles in GPS-denied environments to within 1% of distance travelled. Its LocIndoor dismounted-soldier locator is part of the DGA's CENTURION future-soldier programme.

Extended detection and response (XDR) cybersecurity platform protecting enterprise and defence endpoints against advanced threats.

Look Up Space develops space surveillance and space domain awareness systems for detecting, tracking, analysing and protecting satellites and orbital infrastructure.

Builds neutral-atom quantum processors for industrial optimization and simulation. Partners with MBDA on defence optimization and Thales on satellite mission planning, backed by France's Defence Innovation Fund with over €340 million in financing.

Open-source collaborative cybersecurity engine using crowd-sourced threat intelligence to block malicious activity in real time.

Greenerwave develops smart reconfigurable RF materials and satellite communication terminals for sovereign connectivity, detection and defence communications use cases.

Integrated circuit reverse engineering and hardware security lab specializing in backdoor detection, data extraction from black-box chips, and IC forensics. Serves government and defence supply chain security through its ChipJuice software and Le Lab facility in Sophia Antipolis.

Smallsat constellation manufacturer providing sovereign communications and earth observation platforms for defence and government.

Builds modular aerial robots around an in-house omnidirectional propulsion system that decouples thrust from orientation, aimed at high-speed drone interception. Raised €5 million in March 2026 to move from prototype to production.

Engineering group building simulation and training systems, embedded deep-learning software and space situational awareness tools for defence. Customers include the French Ministry of Defence, NATO, MBDA, Naval Group, Thales and Airbus Defence & Space.

French behavioural intelligence company building autonomous network self-awareness software for local knowledge accumulation and resilient data determinacy.

Builds space surveillance and situational awareness services that track satellites, catalogue debris and prevent in-orbit collisions for satellite operators and government space agencies.

Anywaves builds space antennas, RF payload electronics and software-defined radio products for satellites, launchers and mission-critical spacecraft communications.

Builds swarms of micro autonomous underwater vehicles that map the water column acoustically across large areas. Its Lelantos loitering AUV and Seaker acoustic listening device have been trialled by the French Navy at Toulon.

Predictive attack intelligence using behavioral AI. Advanced threat detection and prevention for critical infrastructure protection.

ChapsVision develops data-processing, cyber and intelligence platforms used for sovereign investigation, security and defence decision-support workflows.

Builds fully automated drone inspection systems for civil and military aircraft, cutting full airframe inspection time to under one hour.

French sovereign drone electronics manufacturer building flight controllers, ESCs, and complete FPV platforms. Products include the Uriel tactical FPV drone at EUR 500 and the SIDE reconnaissance drone, all designed without foreign component dependencies for NATO forces.

Builds mass-deployable drone interceptors for counter-UAV and counter-USV missions. Founded in 2025 by former MBDA engineers, raised €8M seed from Eurazeo and Expeditions to develop AI-driven, low-cost effectors priced at a fraction of traditional air defence missiles.

Global leading manufacturer of automated tethered drone systems for persistent surveillance and emergency communications, providing continuous aerial presence up to 100m for hours.

ELWAVE designs, manufactures and sells electromagnetic detection, navigation and characterization systems based on innovative "electric sense" technology for underwater and industrial robotics.

Optronic surveillance systems for defence and homeland security, including day/IR cameras, automated turrets, and an integrated C-UAV system combining radar, optronic sensors, and non-lethal effectors. Based in Milhaud near Nimes.

A biopharmaceutical company specializing in developing emergency immunotherapies using polyclonal antibody technology to combat biological threats, emerging infectious diseases, and bioterrorism agents.

Designs and manufactures composite fixed-wing UAVs from 1.5 to 6 metres wingspan using a patented rhomboidal wing. Selected by the DGA in 2025 to develop the R2-600 MALE drone demonstrator for the French armed forces.

AI-powered malware analysis and cyber threat detection platform specializing in rapid automated binary analysis.

HGH Infrared Systems designs electro-optical and infrared surveillance systems for defence, naval, security and critical-infrastructure missions.

Hologarde is a French counter-drone specialist created by Groupe ADP to monitor low-altitude airspace and protect sensitive sites using drone detection and identification systems.

Designs manycore processor chips and PCIe acceleration cards for AI inference, 5G packet processing and storage acceleration in data centres and edge deployments.

Wearable tactical computing for field operators, built around the sovereign K-OS Linux platform, K-MESH LoRa mesh beacons and the K-VISOR C4ISR command interface. States its equipment has been trialled by more than ten French military units.

MANITTY develops advanced wearable technologies that bring hospital-grade monitoring to the field. Their DeepMo solution is a lightweight, AI-powered device that continuously tracks vital signs and brain activity, detects early signs of deterioration, and provides autonomous triage aligned with NATO standards.

Develops AI-based military simulation and wargaming software. Its SWORD platform is used by 25 armies worldwide including NATO, the French Army, Royal Navy and Finnish Defence Forces for command post staff training and operational planning.

Develops quantum cascade lasers and photoacoustic gas sensing modules for defence, security, industrial and environmental monitoring applications.

Manufactures quantum deformation sensors using nanoparticle technology for ultra-sensitive strain detection. Provides quantum sensing solutions for structural monitoring.

Develops non-lethal law enforcement technologies and crowd control solutions. Provides advanced non-lethal weapons and security equipment for law enforcement agencies.

Manufacturer of the NX70 micro reconnaissance drone, with over 440 units delivered to the French armed forces. Designs and produces sub-1kg military UAVs with encrypted datalinks at its facility in Aix-en-Provence since 2006.

Oledcomm is a French pioneer and world leader in optical and photonic communications, specializing in LiFi technology. Their solutions provide secure, interference-free wireless communication for military and defense applications in environments where radio waves are not suitable, offering high-speed optical wireless communications as an alternative to traditional RF systems.

ANSSI-certified encrypted messaging app used by the French Ministry of Armed Forces and RAID special police unit. Mandated by the French Prime Minister's office in 2023 as the replacement for WhatsApp across government.

Ballistic protection company manufacturing modular body armour, vehicle armour kits, and anti-riot gear. Supplies the French DGA, Gendarmerie, and forces in 13+ countries.

Parrot designs and manufactures European professional micro-UAVs, including ANAFI platforms used by public safety, government and defence operators.

Builds PHYSIKAL/OS, an agentic vision-language foundation model that lets operators command mixed fleets of ground robots, drones and manipulators in natural language. Founded in 2025 by a former French Army officer and lists the Armée de Terre as a partner.

Mobile security platform protecting enterprise and defence mobile device fleets against advanced mobile threats and data leakage.

Manufactures chemical and biological threat detectors using proprietary flame spectrophotometry technology. Its AP4C detector family is deployed in over 70 countries by military CBRN units, first responders and airport security forces.

Prométhée Earth Intelligence develops sovereign Earth-observation satellite services for security, maritime awareness and strategic monitoring missions.

Provides radiofrequency monitoring and security solutions for detecting, locating, and analyzing radio wave emitting devices to protect against drones, jamming, and data theft threats.

Designs and manufactures underwater acoustic systems, autonomous underwater vehicles and mine countermeasures equipment for navies, research institutes and commercial maritime operators.

SEAir Platforms develops crewed and uncrewed foil-equipped maritime platforms for defence and security missions, focused on speed, stability and stealth.

Builds a SOC platform combining extended detection and response (XDR) with cyber threat intelligence for European enterprises and government organisations.

Builds ground robots for firefighting, explosive ordnance disposal and defence logistics, deployed across civil security services and armed forces in 15+ countries.

SilMach develops hybrid MEMS components and energy-free sensing technologies used in aerospace, defence and other critical embedded systems.

Industrial technology company that designs and produces innovative high-performance materials using the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) process for aerospace, defence, luxury goods, and industrial sectors.

Builds the Versatyl modular professional drone carrying payloads from 1 kg to 35 kg, plus ground control stations and communication relays. Customers include MBDA, Thales, Safran and the French defence procurement agency DGA.

Ground-station-as-a-service network for satellite operators, combining timeshared antennas with its own stations and virtualised modems. Works with CNES, ESA and NASA, and ran the SkyFortress experiment with France's Defence Innovation Agency.

European cybersecurity startup specializing in internet invisibility technology through their VIPN (Virtual & Invisible Private Network) system, making users, devices, and data invisible to prevent cyber attacks.

French dual-use navigation company developing MAGELLAN astro-inertial navigation for GNSS-jammed environments and RAPACE weapon calibration systems.

Designs and manufactures mini-ROVs, USVs and underwater camera systems for marine inspection and defence. Twice awarded Best Defence SME by the French Ministry of Defence, with hull inspection and harbour security systems deployed across multiple countries.

Direct-to-device satellite communications startup developing Golden Modulation technology for ultra-long-range, GNSS-free resilient connectivity. Partnered with Eutelsat, exhibited at Eurosatory 2024, and selected for French Tech 2030 by the Agence de l'Innovation de Défense.

Turgis Gaillard develops defence and aerospace systems including the AAROK MALE drone, mission support capabilities and industrial services for armed forces.

Modular lithium battery manufacturer producing custom high-density packs for defence, robotics, and subsea applications. Supplies Thales Alenia Space and ALSEAMAR special forces underwater vehicles from its factory in Annonay, France.

Solar-powered autonomous UAV manufacturer. The SolarXOne flies up to 12 hours carrying 5-8 kg sensor payloads for ISR missions, with near-silent operation below 42 dB and BVLOS range of 80 km. Selected for French Tech 2030 by the Agence de l'Innovation de Défense.