A unique structuring ecosystem in Europe

Thanks to the close vicinity of AFB 125 and associated aeronautical facilities, a true centre of expertise dedicated to testing and certification has materialized in Istres thanks to Government and companies from the aeronautical sector

Charles Monier AFB 125 is a prime asset for the French Air Force as the main runway is 5,000 metres long and is one of the longest in Europe. The airbase has test and evaluation facilities used by the French Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm for flight testing in addition to aircraft manufacturers and equipment providers working for the defense industry (such as DASSAULT, THALES, SAFRAN … ). Given the length of the runway and the safety equipment available here, the base has been used for emergency landings by distressed civilian aircraft in addtion to being a potential landing facility for the US Space Shuttle. The base has a world class skills and expertise centre for flight simulation and ground or airborne flight testing, thanks to the DGA in-flight testing centre and the test centres belonging to the aeronautical firms on site complete with a network of over 1,500 experts.

Setting up your company on the hub in Istres will afford you a highly integrated aeronautical environment and ecosystem

A 33 hectare site

• 4.5 hectares specifically dedicated to hosting aeronautical activities requiring runway access
• The Mercure hall: an industrial hall of 26,000m² (including 20,000m² in workshops and 6,000m² on the mezzanine} integrating on the east facade 4,000m² of tertiary premises organized into autonomous platforms of 750m²
• A 1500m² workshop on one level, with a height of 7 meters, to the south of the area. rehabilitated in 2017, to labor code standards. This building accommodates personnel and equipment from Air Base 125 via the runway portal. This workshop offers multiple possibilities for development and expansion.