French Defense Sector Business Opportunities

In today’s evolving geopolitical landscape, France is significantly increasing its defense budget. The 2025 allocation is projected at €62 billion, representing 2% of the country’s GDP, with further growth expected in the coming years.

Beyond traditional defense material needs, France is placing greater emphasis on innovation and dual-use technologies to address emerging threats. The French defense market is also increasingly and more directly opening up to foreign partners and providers, in the current context of military and industrial ramping up. The expanding European dimension - driven by the need to strengthen collective security and defense - also reinforces France’s interest in deeper cooperation with other EU member states, particularly in procurement and R&D.

This webinar, organized by the Embassy of Finland in Paris in collaboration with Business Finland and PIA ry, offers a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the structure of the French defense sector, its key stakeholders, and value chains. Local defence experts will share perspectives on current demand, ongoing programs, and business opportunities, as well as go-to-market strategies for Finnish solution providers.

This webinar is reserved for Finnish companies.

• 10.00 - 10.05: Opening words, Ambassador Kirsikka Lehto-Asikainen, Embassy of Finland to France
• 10.05 - 10.10: Message from Tuija Karanko, Secretary General, PIA ry - Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries
• 10.10 - 11.00: Presentation of French defence sector and market, Romain de Calbiac, associate, Fidelis&Associes and Eric Lambert, SVP, Renaissance Strategic Advisors
• 11.00 – 11.30: Q&A  

*Romain de CALBIAC, associate of Fidelis & Associes and collaborating with C&V Consulting (Brussels) on European defense industry issues, has extensive experience in the defense sector and in advising industrial companies active in security and defense on their development both in France and international markets.

Fidelis & Associés is a French consultancy specialising on French Defense and Security markets. Active since 2020, Fidelis & Associés has accompanied several foreign customers in exploring and securing Private and Public markets alike, providing all associated services (due diligence, partner identification, business and media introduction, etc.) in the process.

**Eric Lambert de Bagration, SVP at Renaissance Strategic Advisors, is a Franco-British specialist in strategy and business intelligence, specialising in the defence, aerospace security and intelligence sectors with two decades of experience combining commercial intelligence, strategic consultancy and institutional engagement.