Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on June 30, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleOrange launches a defence division to enhance EU security, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, and integrating networks for defence ministries.
(Reuters) -French telecoms operator Orange is establishing a new defence and homeland security division as it steps up efforts to support actors in these sectors in France and Europe, it said on Monday.
The specialised division will be a part of Orange Business which serves businesses and organizations. It will deploy connectivity solutions, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity services, and integrate civilian and military networks, targeted at defence ministries, security operators and related industries.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
European companies are set to benefit from countries' growing defence budgets as the continent seeks home-grown alternatives to rely less on the United States.
NATO members agreed earlier in June to bring their defence spending target to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035.
France is also leading Europe's efforts to secure communications by raising its stake and spearheading a capital increase plan for satellite operator and Starlink rival Eutelsat.
KEY QUOTES
"We are ideally positioned to meet the rapidly evolving needs of this highly specialized sector, which relies on civil solutions," said Nassima Auvray, who will lead the new division.
Several hundred experts will be brought together from various group entities within Orange to work on the division, the company said in a statement.
CONTEXT
Orange owns and operates seven cable ships that install and maintain underwater telecom cables, critical infrastructure that has become a focus of European security concerns amid reports of Russian sabotage attempts.
Other telecoms companies aiming to pivot to defence include Finland's Nokia which will jointly develop tactical networks for the German armed forces.
(Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro and Jerome Terroy in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
Orange is establishing a defence and homeland security division to support actors in these sectors in France and Europe, focusing on connectivity solutions, AI, and cybersecurity services.
European companies are expected to benefit from growing defence budgets as countries seek home-grown alternatives to reduce reliance on the United States.
NATO members agreed to increase their defence spending target to 5% of GDP by 2035, reflecting a commitment to enhance military capabilities and security across Europe.
Nassima Auvray has been appointed to lead the new defence division, emphasizing the company's position to meet the evolving needs of the specialized sector.
Orange owns and operates seven cable ships that install and maintain underwater telecom cables, which are critical for European security amid rising concerns over infrastructure vulnerabilities.
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