The new facility, which employs 440 staff, is a cornerstone of MEL’s growth strategy and reinforces its long-standing presence in the Hauts-de-France industrial region. MBDA views the investment as a key step in meeting the rapid production needs of the ‘war economy’ while supporting future defence programmes in France and across Europe.
Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, underscored the facility’s importance at the opening ceremony: “The women and men of Matra Electronique have an essential role in the MBDA Group’s mission. Together, we are creating a sustainable, innovative, high value-added industrial model to meet the challenges of sovereignty in France, in Europe and among our allies. With this new production facility, we are pursuing our commitment to the ‘war economy’: immediate acceleration of production capacity, development and aggregation of industrial skills in France, and the ability to accelerate even further in the months and years to come.”
The advanced, modular 4.0 design enhances MEL’s flexibility and competitiveness while accommodating future expansion. With a site area one-third larger than before, the factory is equipped to adapt to changing customer needs and will act as a growth driver for years to come. It also integrates modern workspaces to attract and retain talent while minimising environmental impact.
Frédéric Wilmot, Chairman of Matra Electronique and Industrial Director of MBDA France, highlighted the factory’s role in regional resilience: “Our new site sits at the heart of a dynamic, forward-looking local ecosystem that contributes to the resilience of our supply chain and developing our activities. It also enables us to maintain cutting-edge expertise and essential jobs in our local areas.”
Launched in 2016 with support from the ‘France Relance’ programme, the project demonstrates MBDA and MEL’s shared ambition to strengthen European sovereignty in defence technology. By integrating advanced capabilities and fostering local industrial partnerships, the new facility positions both companies to meet evolving challenges in defence production.
