Press releases
French banks : a 25% increase in financing for the defense sector in 2025
Financing the defense industry is a major strategic priority for both French and European sovereignty. In a context marked by the ramp-up of the Defense Industrial and Technological Supply Chain (BITD), French banks are fully mobilised to support its development.
They provide support to companies through a range of instruments, including bank financing, guarantees and export support, and more broadly contribute to the sector’s overall momentum.
As of December 31, 2025, total financing provided by the six largest French banking groups to French defense companies exceeded €46.6 billion (including both on- and off-balance sheet), representing a 25% increase compared with end-2024 and a 75% increase compared with 2021.*
In addition, French banks continue to support BITD exports, with outstanding buyer credit reaching €12.2 billion as of December 31, 2025.
As of end-June 2025, direct investments (own account) by the six major French banking groups in the equity of French BITD companies amounted to more than €500 million.
French banking groups also provide €16.3 billion (on- and off-balance sheet) in financing to other major European DITB companies, and close to €1.5 billion to their clients through buyer credit.
This strong mobilisation is also reflected in numerous complementary initiatives beyond those already highlighted on March 20, 2025 and beyond traditional banking financing. The French Banking Federation provides several examples of these initiatives alongside this press release.
*The measurement of the change compared with 2021 is based on a sample of four out of the six banks, as 2021 data were not available for two banking networks.
Complementary initiatives to traditional financing of the defence sector (PDF)
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