Business Daily France: Building a ‘war economy’
Aug 3, 2025
Philippe Querrier, the strategy head at Thales, discusses France's dramatic shift to a 'war economy' amid rising global threats. He highlights the factory in Normandy that has pivoted from civilian to military production, responding to escalating defense demands. With military spending set to double, Querrier shares insights on innovations like mobile artillery and the Aster missile. He emphasizes Europe's need for localized defense manufacturing to reduce dependence on U.S. imports, ensuring a stronger and more independent European defense industry.
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France Boosts Defense Amid Risks
- France is rapidly increasing arms production due to a more aggressive Russia and doubts about US defense commitment.
- The government focuses on boosting defense spending and reshoring military manufacturing for strategic sovereignty.
Normandy Factory Switches to Military
- Céline and colleagues switched from making civilian SIM cards to military circuit boards at a Normandy factory.
- They now produce crucial electronics for Rafale fighter jets under tight security and precise craftsmanship.
Reinternalize Defense Manufacturing
- To meet rising defense demands, Thales is expanding military electronic board production and relocating capacity from Asia back to France.
- This strategic move reduces foreign dependency and secures defense sovereignty.