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Airbus, the European giant, is investing 260 million euros to build its new headquarters dedicated to its military digital activities in the Ile-de-France region. The construction of the “Campus Grand Paris” in Montigny-le-Bretonneux has been initiated by Guillaume Faury, the executive president of the European aerospace giant, in the presence of Catherine Vautrin, the Minister of Armed Forces. This project aims to develop and sustain Airbus Defence and Space activities in France, with an investment of 260 million euros for state-of-the-art and highly secure facilities.

Designed by the architecture firm Kardham, this campus will accommodate experts and critical activities in defense digital technology, especially in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, quantum, and secure information systems. Airbus Defense’s clients include states (security forces, interior ministry), critical large companies, intelligence agencies, and the military.

The construction company GA Smart Building is responsible for delivering Airbus’ new flagship by early 2028. The site will host 1,700 employees, specialists in “strategic innovation,” according to Airbus. These employees, different from the 600 staff of the space branch, will relocate from the current Airbus Defense site in Elancourt to the new headquarters. The space branch employees are expected to join the future European satellite leader, formed by Thales, Airbus, and Italian company Leonardo’s space activities merger by 2027.

In addition to this new campus, Airbus will continue to rely on its existing French sites in Rennes and Toulouse, along with a network of 23 antennas across the country, to serve its clients and develop new solutions. The close proximity of the Montigny-le-Bretonneux site to the laboratories and schools of Paris-Saclay and the established startups will enable Airbus to benefit from the job market in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, which is described as particularly dynamic. With this new headquarters, Airbus aims to strengthen the French defense industrial and technological base.

Airbus is not the only leading aerospace and defense company in France strengthening its operations in the country. Safran, a motorist and aerospace equipment supplier, announced a 150 million euro investment in its Gennevilliers factory for a high-power forge, aimed at producing critical engine parts for civil and military aircraft. Dassault Aviation recently inaugurated a new 4.0 factory in Cergy to support the increased production of the French combat aircraft Rafale, investing 100 million euros. Altogether, over half a billion euros have been invested in the Paris region in critical industries and high-value-added jobs.

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