At the start of last year, GIFAS merged with GITEP, an association of French defense and security electronics firms, bringing its total membership to 234 companies, including 199 equipment makers. The aerospace sector companies together employed 118,000 people in France–half a percent down on 2003. When the figures included the GITEP workforce, the total was 129,800.

Revenue from the civil sector increased by 6.9 percent last year, while defense income fell by 3.9 percent. Three quarters of the total consolidated revenues–a record €16.2 billion ($19.9 billion) came from exports.

Export orders logged last year were worth €19.9 billion ($24.5 billion), which was 56 percent of the total for GIFAS members. However, exports last year were actually down 28.4 percent, while domestic orders rose 17.2 percent to €15.9 billion ($19.6 billion).

Revenues in 2004 for GIFAS’ new defense and security electronics sector amounted to €2.2 billion ($2.7 billion). Estimated orders for these companies, which remain overwhelmingly dependent on domestic markets, stood at €2.3 billion ($2.8 billion).