The rearme effort is very upstream: from the research and development phase (R&D). And to ensure that it is in the race, the French industrial and technological base (Ibosd) is mobilizing.
Among the 62 projects that aroused the interest of the European Defense Fund and that will be the subject of financing, for a total amount of 910 million euros, the actors in the French defense sector will carry out 11 consortiums.
The selected proposals as part of the fourth wave of calls for projects, closed on April 30, must help “fill out critical defense capabilities and strengthen the strategic autonomy of Europe,” said Andius Kubilius, Commissioner of Defense and European Area.
This new wave comes in a context of calls to restore and strengthen European sovereignty, as well as the increase in defense budgets.
A diversity of projects
Helicopter of the Future, new stealthy materials, microdrones launched from a drone, a medical opposite in the face of bioterrorism threats … research institutes, industrialists and French organizations are leaders in various projects.
Like the National Office of Aerospace Studies and Research (Onera), which takes the initiative of two consortiums: one to carry out the work in collaborative combat drones (Baptized Garuda), the other to think about the stealthy technologies of tomorrow (metassetic).
The Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Committee (CEA) and also front in two R&D projects: the first must develop responses to nuclear, radiological, bacteriological and chemical threats (NRBC), the other will develop new technologies for the protection of soldiers in terms of NRBC threats.
Airbus helicopters, MBDA
Among the main industrialists of the sector, Airbus Helicopters and MBDA also won the coordination of research programs. The helicopter is working on the basic concepts of a future European helicopter, as for the Missilier, will deepen work in firing technologies beyond direct view.
The fourth wave of call for projects aroused 297 proposals, made by a total of 625 companies, from the new company to the great director. The general envelope of the Fedef during the 2021-2027 period is 7.3 billion euros, for the support of the defense R&D, in cooperation.
Source: BFM TV
