French chipmaker NanoXplore raises €20 million to expand into defence and strengthen Europe’s electronic sovereignty

French chipmaker NanoXplore has secured €20 million in funding to expand into the defense sector and strengthen European electronic sovereignty. This investment, from European defense company MBDA and Bpifrance's Defence Innovation Fund, will enable NanoXplore to develop security-focused products and pursue strategic acquisitions across Europe. The move underscores a growing emphasis on technological autonomy and the need for indigenous capabilities in critical sectors. NanoXplore, founded in 2013, is a fabless IC design company specializing in radiation-hardened components, including FPGAs, essential for extreme environments like space and defense. The company recently launched NG-ULTRA, a rad-hard SoC FPGA. Its products are “ITAR-free,” meaning they are not subject to US defense export regulations, and it relies on a 100% European supply chain. The funding will support NanoXplore's diversification into defense, developing components for land, air, and naval systems. This expansion is crucial for providing European alternatives to non-European components, particularly in areas like space programs. By fostering companies like NanoXplore, the EU aims to bolster its technological autonomy and reduce reliance on external suppliers. This investment aligns with broader European efforts to build a robust defense-industrial base and ensure control over critical technologies. The company's expansion is expected to broaden its product portfolio and consolidate Europe's industrial base in critical microelectronics.