In a geopolitical context that has abruptly underscored the importance of sovereignty, the defence industry is undergoing a historic transformation. For major prime contractors, the challenge is no longer only to design the world’s highest-performing systems, but to produce them quickly and at scale.
A deep dive into this industrial ramp-up, where engineering plays a critical role.
Just a few years ago, producing cutting-edge radar systems was almost akin to industrial craftsmanship: limited series, long cycles, and a pace suited to peacetime. Today, the paradigm has shifted. Driven by European nations’ rearmament needs and the requirements of the Military Programming Law, manufacturers must scale up.
This is the challenge currently being taken on by Thales (GBU Land & Air Systems). At its sites in Île-de-France and the Loiret—particularly in Limours—the objective is clear: increase production rates on strategic ranges such as mobile radars (GM 200, GM 400) and embedded systems.
The technical challenge hidden behind volume
While attention often focuses on the number of systems to be delivered, the engineering reality is more complex. Moving from near-craft production to a sustained serial rate creates a technical shockwave across the entire value chain.
This industrial scale-up is not limited to expanding assembly lines. It generates a massive intensification of technical flows:
- Change management: with each radar 100% inspected, accelerating production requires processing thousands of change orders and definition file updates in record time.
- Document robustness: to ensure independence and control over production (notably for electronic boards), manufacturers must rely on impeccable technical data.
- Obsolescence management: in a just-in-time flow, the slightest unavailable part—or one that must be redefined—can jam the entire chain.
This is where “ramp-up” becomes a true design office challenge.
From “mass staffing” to targeted expertise: the AMETRA Group’s response
Faced with this surge in workload, the market’s classic response is often to deploy battalions of consultants (“mass staffing”). However, on sovereign systems where regulatory rigour is non-negotiable, volume is not enough. What is needed is expertise: domain/sector and security.
It is in this demanding space that Ametra Group works alongside Thales. A long-standing partner recognised for its “design office” culture and its command of the defence sector, the AMETRA Group has deployed a dedicated Service Centre.
This delivery model, designed to mobilise several dozen employees (mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians) at cruising speed, stands out for its qualitative approach:
- Guarantee of best practice: Ametra does not simply provide resources, but the capability to ensure the compliance and robustness of the technical data produced.
- Management and commitment: the “service centre” model makes it possible to absorb workload peaks and manage engineering activities with a commitment to results, thereby freeing the client’s internal teams.
- Local and secure footprint: the set-up is built on strong geographic proximity (Île-de-France/Loiret) and secure infrastructure, enabling work both on the client site and in back-office.
Engineering in the service of sovereignty
Beyond industrial performance, this project carries a particular dimension for the teams involved. Working on the radars that equip first-rank frigates or the Rafale’s air-to-ground defence systems is not a trivial assignment.
It is this pride in contributing to technologically advanced projects that are useful to the nation that cements the partnership. Where industry stakes its credibility on its ability to produce and deliver, the AMETRA Group provides this essential building block: multi-disciplinary technical assurance combined with a commitment to results, enabling a strategic order to be turned into an operational reality.
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