2025 Results: The French Aerospace Industry Remains Strongly Positioned for the Future

Supported by growth in air traffic, robust export sales and the ongoing industrial ramp-up, the French aerospace industry once again demonstrated its resilience and strategic role in 2025. Against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, GIFAS is calling for greater visibility and consistency to safeguard the sector’s long-term competitiveness and sovereignty.

With total revenue reaching €85.6 billion, up 11.9%, and exports rising 14.6% to a record €59.4 billion, the French aerospace industry maintained a strong growth trajectory in 2025. Order intake reached €88.6 billion (+5.5%), reflecting sustained activity levels across both civil and defence markets.

Activity remained largely driven by civil aeronautics, which accounted for €63.3 billion – or 74% of total revenue – representing growth of 11.9%. The defence segment also posted solid growth, with €22.3 billion in revenue (+11.9%), primarily supported by export sales, which increased by 21%.

Operating across both civil and defence markets, the space industry generated €5.3 billion in revenue, up 10.8%. Space activities continued to expand amid profound transformation, marked by accelerating industrialisation and intensifying international competition.

These results demonstrate the industry’s ability to support the production ramp-up in civil aeronautics, meet growing defence requirements and remain competitive in international markets. More broadly, in 2025, the aerospace industry once again confirmed its role as a major driver of France’s economy and industrial base.

Olivier Andries said: “The strong results achieved in 2025 confirm the momentum and resilience of our industry which continues to recruit, invest and innovate, while preparing for the future. It is also France’s leading contributor to the national trade surplus. More than ever, we must preserve our long-term competitiveness and strengthen our strategic sovereignty in order to address the major challenges facing our industry.”

Beyond the strong results, GIFAS’s message is clear: without long-term consistency and visibility, there can be no sustainable industrial trajectory. Aerospace operates on long industrial cycles in a global environment. To maintain its leadership position, the industry must be proactive:

• Civil Aviation: the French Civil Aviation Research Council (CORAC) is a key platform for collaborative innovation and a major driver in the development of low-carbon and next-generation single-aisle aircraft. GIFAS calls for funding to be maintained at a level commensurate with the challenges and, with the support of prime contractors, for resources to be channelled to projects led in particular by SMEs.

• Defence: the additional €36 billion allocated to the Armed Forces budget for 2026-2030 sends a strong signal. Rapidly converting this commitment into concrete programmes will be decisive.

• Space: the industry is entering a new phase of industrialisation. European budget decisions for 2028-2034 will be critical to ensuring Europe’s autonomous access to space.

In this context, GIFAS advocates adopting a clear European preference policy to ensure that public funding and procurement primarily support companies that design and manufacture within Europe. The aerospace industry can become a major economic and industrial priority, enabling thousands of companies to look ahead with confidence and ensure that France and Europe maintain one of our few remaining areas of global leadership.

Despite these strong results, the industry remains realistic. The supply chain is gradually recovering, particularly among SMEs and mid-sized companies, thanks to a collective effort and to the support and mediation mechanisms introduced, notably by GIFAS.

However, vulnerabilities remain. Operational pressures continue to affect certain segments, particularly those facing the greatest cost and capacity constraints. Ensuring effective coordination across the supply chain remains critical to supporting a smooth production ramp-up.

Particular attention is also being paid to industry consolidation in response to the transformations under way, as well as to succession planning for SME executives. With 44% of SME leaders aged over 60, GIFAS has established a dedicated working group to support companies in preparing for leadership transition.

Hélène Moreau-Leroy, Chair of the GIFAS Group of aerospace and defence manufacturers (GEADS) said: “The situation across the supply chain is improving, both operationally and financially, which is an encouraging sign. This reflects the efforts made by all stakeholders in the value chain, as well as the industry’s collective mobilisation, particularly through GIFAS. We remain fully committed to maintaining this momentum, supporting the ramp-up and strengthening operational excellence, which is essential to the industry’s long-term competitiveness.”

The industry confirmed its role as a major driver of employment, with recruitment needs remaining high, particularly in production, maintenance and support activities. In 2025, it employed a workforce of 230,500 people, up 3.1% compared with 2024, with a net creation of 7,000 jobs.

The challenge now goes beyond recruitment volumes alone: attracting, training and retaining talent in a context of skills renewal will be critical to supporting the industry’s performance and ongoing transformation.

Clémentine Gallet, Chair of the GIFAS Aero-SME Committee said: “Recruitment remains a major challenge in supporting the industry’s growth. This requires maintaining strong, well-adapted training pathways capable of meeting industrial needs and attracting talent over the long term. Our expertise is our greatest asset, and we must continue to preserve and develop it.”