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Crédit Agricole committed to the defence industry
Crédit Agricole is at Euronaval to showcase the many ways in which it supports defence companies. Whether it is financing industrial capabilities, helping SMEs expand internationally, or backing innovations, Crédit Agricole has a solution that meets DTIB companies’ needs.
For Crédit Agricole, attending Euronaval provides an opportunity to gain a better understanding of defence companies’ needs and challenges.
© Linda Verhaeghe
For Crédit Agricole, coming to Euronaval is about engaging with the industry. There is no better way to learn what corporations, SMEs, and start-ups need than to meet them in person. Since March 2025, the financial institution has strengthened its commitment to the defence industry. Its top priority is to offer services that meet business’ real-world needs and that support French and European capability requirements.
“Understanding the industry, how it is set up, who the stakeholders are, and what they need is important. A corporation, a mid-cap, and an SME need different things,” said Benjamin Reboul, who heads Crédit Agricole’s corporate and government banking division.
Increased financing capacity is part of this strategy. Crédit Agricole and the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced a €400 million agreement to provide loans for capacity-building investments, R&D, and cybersecurity. And, through an exclusive partnership with Business France, the financial institution is supporting 38 SMEs and mid-caps with their expansion into six European markets (Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, and Sweden). These companies will have access to financing solutions, trade finance, and introductions to local and international businesses and banks.
France’s leading minority equity partner
Euronaval is also a great opportunity to highlight the ties between innovation and defence. Crédit Agricole has supported some 2,000 start-ups through its “Village by CA” incubators and has invested more than €5 billion in equity in around 1,200 companies.
Another example is the investment in Unseenlabs by UNEXO, Crédit Agricole’s investment arm, with the backing of Crédit Agricole in Brittany. Based in Brittany, Unseenlabs is developing a maritime surveillance technology that can detect ships’ RF signals from space. In 2024, Unseenlabs announced that it had raised €85 million. The funds are going to investments in the company’s satellite constellation, international business expansion, and new product development.
- Linda Verhaeghe
