SAFE is the competitiveness cluster of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, specialising in the aeronautics, space, security, safety and defence sectors. Bringing together more than 450 industrial and academic members, SAFE supports them in their innovation, growth and transformation projects, with the aim of strengthening business competitiveness and contributing to the responsible economic development of local territories.
Drawing on dual technological and territorial expertise, SAFE leads or supports several strategic projects: the Regional Drone Resource Centre (C2RD), dedicated to drone testing; the “Fabrique du Spatial” initiative with Thales Alenia Space, focused on space-based applications; the autonomous stratospheric platform Stratobus; the Fos-Berre decarbonisation programme for sustainable aviation; the Sud Avenir Hélico initiative with Airbus Helicopters; the Jean-Sarrail Aeronautics Hub in Istres, dedicated to maintenance and flight testing; and the aeronautics and space innovation platform developed in partnership with the French Air and Space Force Academy.
SAFE supports regional aeronautics companies by providing specific expertise on today’s key technological challenges, including the integration of alternative fuels, hydrogen technologies, electrification, the modernisation of industrial processes such as additive manufacturing and predictive maintenance, and the cybersecurity of embedded systems. Working directly with Airbus Helicopters, Dassault Aviation, Safran and local SMEs, the cluster helps accelerate these major transitions.