Sopra Steria and the French Ministry of Defence join forces to support SME access to defence markets

Paris, June 23, 2025 – Sopra Steria, a major player in European tech, announces the signing of a structuring agreement with the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. This agreement aims to strengthen the integration of SMEs, ETIs and startups in defense markets by establishing a more balanced partnership between industrial prime contractors (MOI) and the sovereign innovation ecosystem.

Signed on the occasion of the Paris Air Show 2025, by Ministry of Armed Forces representative Emmanuel Chiva, Délégué général pour l’armement, and Cyril Malargé, CEO of the Sopra Steria group, this agreement makes Sopra Steria the first digital player to make a formal commitment alongside the Ministry of Armed Forces on this subject, affirming its strategic role in the Defense ecosystem. This partnership comes at a time when the operational needs of the armed forces require sovereign, innovative and sustainable solutions, particularly in the face of the growing challenges of information warfare, cyber defense and the integration of disruptive technologies – including artificial intelligence – into weapons systems.

Under this agreement, Sopra Steria undertakes to :

  • Facilitate access for SMEs/ETIs/startups to the Ministry’s calls for tender
  • Establish partnership relations to co-construct sovereign, resilient and controlled digital solutions
  • Share its historical expertise in Defense & Security at the service of the DITB
  • Contribute to the international development of French players.

This partnership formalizes Sopra Steria’s long-term commitment to a more agile, collaborative defense industrial and technological base, focused on innovation for sovereignty. It also illustrates Sopra Steria’s ambition to act at the heart of our country’s strategic challenges, and to be the trusted European player in sovereignty and digital technology.


About Sopra Steria

Sopra Steria, a major player in the European Tech sector, with 50,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, is recognized for its consulting, services and digital solutions. It helps its customers drive their digital transformation and achieve concrete, lasting benefits. The Group provides a global response to the competitiveness challenges of large companies and organizations, combining in-depth knowledge of business sectors and technologies with a collaborative approach. Sopra Steria puts people at the heart of what it does, and is committed to helping its customers make the most of digital technology to build a positive future. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €5.8 billion

For more information : www.soprasteria.com/fr

About CS GROUP

As a designer, integrator, and operator of mission critical systems, CS GROUP, a subsidiary of the Sopra Steria Group, operates in defense and security, space, aeronautics, and cybersecurity markets. With 3,200 employees combining a high level of technical and business expertise, CS GROUP is its clients’ trusted partner for the integration and deployment of operational systems that ensure Command, Control & Communication of their missions. CS Group is present in Europe, North America and the United Arab Emirates.