Once again this year, the International Paris Air Show (SIAE) at Le Bourget delivered on its promises. From June 16 to 22, 2025, the Parisian sky transformed into a global aerospace showcase, bringing together innovations, spectacular demonstrations, and strategic announcements. On the tarmac, in the halls, and during conferences, one observation became clear: the sector is entering a new era, shaped by the climate emergency, geopolitical tensions, and the rise of digital technology. For Ametra Group, this new edition was a prime opportunity to gauge the sector’s pulse and confirm our role as a key player in its transformation. This historic edition highlighted an unprecedented commitment to decarbonization, accelerated digitalization, and renewed ambition for Defense, space, and European technological sovereignty. Major Structuring Trends of the 2025 Edition Sustainable Aviation: From Promise to Reality Far from being an abstract concept, decarbonization has entered its industrialization phase. The challenge is no longer just to innovate, but to deploy on a large scale. Digitalization, AI, and Cybersecurity: The Performance Triptych Digital transformation is now integrated across the entire value chain. New Materials and Additive Manufacturing: The Silent Revolution The quest for lightness and performance relies on innovative materials. Thermoplastic composites, lighter and recyclable, are gaining ground over thermosets. Additive manufacturing is no longer a gadget: it is used for critical parts such as fuel injectors or structural elements, reducing mass and the number of parts to assemble. Defense and Sovereignty: A Strong Comeback The geopolitical context has brought defense issues to the forefront. The program SCAF (Future Combat Air System) was a centerpiece of Le Bourget, with detailed presentations of the collaboration between Dassault Aviation, Airbus, and their partners. This program is part of an integrated European defense strategy, in line with the ambitions of the European Defence Fund and Franco-German bilateral cooperation. Drones, from MALE (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance) to connected swarms, as well as space command and control (C2) solutions, affirmed their indispensable role in future operations. The 2025 edition also confirmed the vitality of French defense exports, with new prospects around the Rafale and strengthened industrial cooperation, particularly in India and Southeast Asia. The 2025 Paris Air Show was also marked by the signing of a public support agreement for VORTEX, the space glider demonstrator developed by Dassault Aviation. This ambitious project, supported by the French state, aims to explore suborbital flight and controlled atmospheric re-entry technologies, with a focus on reusability. With the goal of placing small payloads into low Earth orbit, VORTEX stands at the crossroads of aeronautics and space. It symbolizes France’s desire to gain technological sovereignty in segments currently dominated by major American New Space players, and could foreshadow future reusable and agile European space transport systems. Furthermore, the show was also an opportunity to reiterate European space ambitions through structuring programs such as IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), Galileo (navigation) and Copernicus (Earth observation). These projects embody a growing desire for technological sovereignty and secure communications in low Earth orbit. This edition also highlighted the dynamic of European collaborative research, with demonstrators funded under the Clean Aviation program or the European Defence Fund. The Rise of eVTOLs and Urban Air Mobility The “flying taxi” sector has matured. Beyond flight demonstrators, discussions focused on the major challenges of certification by EASA and the FAA, and secure integration into an already dense airspace. Players like Archer and EHang unveiled prototypes ready for service, with initial AI integrations to assist pilots. The industrialization of production remains a major challenge, where expertise in process engineering is paramount. The show also highlighted a thriving ecosystem of technology startups, from alternative propulsion systems to software simulation solutions. Exceptional Commercial Momentum The 2025 edition was an exceptional vintage in terms of contracts, a sign of airlines’ confidence and the need to renew fleets. People at the Heart of the Industry Le Bourget is not just about contracts; it’s also where the future of professions is shaped. The A400M Atlas, a European military transport aircraft developed by Airbus Defence and Space, once again particularly impressed during its flight demonstrations. Capable of tactical and strategic operations, in-flight refueling, and deployments on austere terrains, it embodies modern operational versatility. The show highlighted its recently improved capabilities in simultaneous heavy load drops, short runway landings, and autonomous navigation in degraded environments. A400M Cockpit © Oleg Belyakov A Moment of Shared Pride for Ametra Integration Teams On Saturday, about forty Ametra Integration employees, accompanied by their families, traveled to the show at the joint initiative of the Works Council and management. Departing by bus in the morning, they were able to discover the various stands and attend the flight demonstrations, particularly that of the Rafale: a significant moment for the teams, who contribute directly to this program of excellence. Ametra Integration indeed participates in the manufacture of five Rafale subsystems for five distinct clients: Dassault Aviation, Thales, Safran, MBDA, and Aresia. Seeing this aircraft, on which they work every day, in action was a great opportunity to measure the concrete impact of their expertise. This type of initiative is fully in line with the group’s desire to strengthen the link between projects carried out in the field, the values of knowledge transfer, and the recognition of work accomplished. In conclusion: A Committed Industry, Stimulating Challenges The 2025 Paris Air Show concludes with a clear vision: the aerospace industry has fully embraced the dual requirement of growth and environmental responsibility. Transformation is no longer an option, but an industrial reality in motion. As a recognized player in industrial subcontracting, Ametra naturally participated in the Le Bourget show and is involved throughout the life cycle of embedded and mechatronic systems, from the study phase to production. Building on our expertise, we are committed alongside our partners to meet the challenges of structural lightening, complex system integration, qualification of new processes, and ramp-up. See you in 2027! To learn more about our expertise and references, visit our official website now. We are also on LinkedIn.
Millennials and Generation Z: How the Industrial World Adapts to New Generations of Engineers
They grew up with the digital transition, started their careers in a changing world, and today represent a growing portion of the technical workforce in industry: millennials (born between 1981 and 1995) and Generation Z (born from 1996 onwards) bring with them new expectations regarding career, management, and corporate values. Their vision of work does not oppose the industrial world; rather, it questions it, stimulates it, and encourages it to transform. How can these aspirations be met without compromising the technical and organizational fundamentals of engineering? What concrete levers can be activated to reconcile industrial demands with the quest for meaning? Understanding the Expectations of Generation Y (Millennials) Contrary to popular belief, and now well-established in professional life, millennials are not resistant to effort or long-term commitment. However, they expect their contribution to have meaning, their work to be part of a continuous learning dynamic, and their professional environment to evolve with them. Among their main expectations: These expectations translate into a strong need for managerial proximity and an integration process that considers human dimensions from the moment they join the company. What studies say: Generation Z: A Quest for Impact, Meaning, and Balance Now increasingly present in teams, young people born after 1996 further challenge established norms. At Ametra, 24% of employees are under 25, and 27% are between 26 and 30, making this generation a key driver of transformation. Their main expectation? That their profession has a positive impact, not only within the company but also in society. Among the topics that particularly mobilize them: This sensitivity is also reflected in their choices: Gen Z are less inclined to compromise on their values. They are less hesitant to leave a position if it does not align with their convictions or personal balance. What Concrete HR Responses in Industry? At Ametra, several approaches have been implemented to meet these generational expectations, while strengthening employee commitment in the long term. Offer Evolving and De-compartmentalized Career Paths In a constantly evolving sector, the possibility of changing sectors (automotive, railway, aeronautics, defense, etc.) or trajectories (project, technical, or even management) is essential. Ametra encourages functional, geographical and sectoral mobility throughout career paths. Foster a Culture of Close Managerial Support Younger generations expect genuine listening, clear guidance, and regular interactions with their managers. At Ametra, supervision is provided by technical managers, often from the field, which strengthens trust and professional alignment. Regular satisfaction surveys help gauge team sentiment. And if a project does not meet an employee’s expectations, repositioning solutions are systematically explored. Strengthen CSR Commitment Societal and environmental commitment is a strong selection criterion for both Gen Z and Millennials. Ametra translates this commitment into several concrete initiatives: Act Concretely for an Inclusive and Responsible Work Environment Beyond visible external CSR commitments, Ametra also acts internally to make the company a healthy, equitable, and respectful environment. This is reflected in several initiatives: These approaches are not incidental: they are at the heart of the employee experience and contribute to creating a climate of trust and lasting commitment. Promote Conviviality and Collective Life Agency events, such as friendly gatherings or activities (karting, tree climbing, etc.), are highly popular. These moments foster a sense of belonging, beyond the position or technical project. Two Different Generations, One Shared Expectation of Meaning Responding to these expectations does not mean changing the corporate culture, but rather evolving its modalities. Engineers of these generations are not seeking to transform everything: they want their professional commitment to have an impact, to be part of a stimulating collective, and to allow them to grow. For industrial companies, this generation is an opportunity. It encourages rethinking career paths, better valuing skills, and creating a work environment where technical excellence coexists with attention to individuals. Find all of the Ametra Group’s initiatives and commitments on our official website. We are also on LinkedIn!