What Lacroix does

Lacroix is a French pyrotechnic integrator developing self-protection countermeasures for military platforms across airborne, land, and naval domains. Operating as ETIENNE LACROIX TOUS ARTIFICES S.A. and trading as Lacroix Defense, the company was founded in 1848 and is headquartered in Muret, France, with its Defense Business Unit in Mazères. Its core product families are the S-KAPS (Soft-Kill Advanced Protection System) modular vehicle protection platform integrating multi-sensor detection (laser, acoustic, RF, IR) with automated pyrotechnic response and GALIX munitions installed on 15,000+ platforms; the SYLENA naval decoy launching system (LW, MK1, MK2 generations, 40+ ships across 8 foreign navies, 100th launcher milestone in 2024) paired with the SEACLAD ammunition range (SEALEM RF, SEALIR IR, SEALAT-CANTO acoustic torpedo, SEAMOSC EO); airborne countermeasures (chaff, flares, spectral, MTV, and kinematic decoys in 1x1 and 2x1 inch formats) for fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters; and pyrotechnic components for military and space applications (Ariane 6, OneWeb, Micro-Carb satellites). Services include operational training, ammunition lifecycle management, and preventive/corrective maintenance support.

The company generates revenue primarily through one-time equipment sales (countermeasure systems, launchers, decoy munitions, pyrotechnic components) sold directly to government defense ministries and military procurement agencies, complemented by professional services revenue from training, operational support, and ammunition lifecycle management. Its go-to-market is enterprise field sales supplemented by active participation in major international defense exhibitions (Eurosatory, IDEX, Paris Air Show, Euronaval, AUSA, MSPO, LIMA, LAAD, IDEF, IMDEX, SITDEF, CANSEC, DSEI, BIDEC, PACIFIC) typically under organized French pavilions managed by GICAT and COGES. Geographic reach is anchored in France, with international offices in Abu Dhabi (2012), Seoul (2014), and Kuala Lumpur (2017) serving the Middle East and Asia-Pacific; named end-customers include the French Army, UAE Armed Forces, Turkish Navy/Land Forces, and Brazilian Armed Forces.

Lacroix operates an open partner ecosystem of French defense SMEs and primes — Bertin Technologies (PeriSight Top Attack IR detection), MC2 Technologies (HADDES RF drone detection), Nexter (effectors), Metravib (Pilar acoustic detection), SAAB (DVM 200 helicopter launcher), and DCNS/Naval Group (CANTO acoustic torpedo countermeasure) — to deliver integrated protection solutions. The group is privately held, organized as a French Société Anonyme with €2,475,000 share capital, has no public market listing or external PE/VC backing, and includes the wholly-owned subsidiary Milton Innovation focused on drone and embedded systems.

Name

Lacroix

Legal name

ETIENNE LACROIX TOUS ARTIFICES S.A.

Website

https://lacroix-defense.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1848

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Lacroix is a French pyrotechnic integrator (founded 1848) developing self-protection countermeasures — S-KAPS for vehicles, SYLENA/SEACLAD for ships, and airborne decoys — for government defense forces across airborne, land, and naval domains.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mazères

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Defense Countermeasure Systems: Sale of pyrotechnic and electronic countermeasure systems for military platforms including S-KAPS, GALIX, SYLENA, and SEACLAD products. Revenue from both product sales and associated development contracts with defense ministries.
2. Airborne Countermeasures: Sale of flares, chaff, and decoys for aircraft self-protection in various calibers (40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 1x1, 2x1 inch) for combat jets, helicopters, and transport aircraft.
3. Training Services: Operational training services for use of systems and ammunition, including electronic warfare, handling, and storage of pyrotechnic products. Training ensures 360-degree understanding of product operating conditions.
4. Operational Support Services: Preventive and corrective maintenance support services, ammunition lifecycle management, and support for armed forces empowerment.
5. Pyrotechnic Components: Pyrotechnic components for military and space applications, including specialized components for satellites (Micro-Carb, OneWeb) and Ariane 6 launcher with CNES and Pacific Scientific.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Lacroix is a French pyrotechnic integrator for the defense and aerospace sectors, designing, manufacturing, and supporting self-protection and countermeasure products (such as soft-kill systems, decoy launchers, spectral decoys, and ammunition) for military platforms, complemented by training services, optimized ammunition management, and operational support.

Product overview

Lacroix is a pyrotechnic integrator for defense and aerospace sectors, offering a comprehensive product portfolio organized into five solution categories: Land Solutions (centered on the S-KAPS soft-kill protection system with GALIX ammunition for vehicle self-protection against missiles and drones), Naval Solutions (SYLENA decoy launching systems with SEACLAD ammunition including SEALEM RF decoys, SEALIR infrared decoys, SEALAT-CANTO acoustic torpedo countermeasures, and SEAMOSC screening), Airborne Solutions (comprehensive countermeasure flares, chaff, and decoys for fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters with spectral, MTV, and kinematic technologies), Training Systems (operational training services and realistic training solutions), and Pyrotechnic Components (specialized components for military and space applications). The company provides an integrated approach combining hardware systems with associated munitions and services including ammunition lifecycle management and operational support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• S-KAPS (Soft-Kill Advanced Protection System)
• GALIX Ammunition
• SYLENA Decoy Launching System
• SEACLAD Ammunition
• Airborne Countermeasures
• Spectral Decoys
• Pyrotechnic Components
• Training Systems
• Optimized Ammunition Management
• Operational Support

Quantifiable outcome

• Platform survivability significantly increased through multi-sensor detection and instant protective reaction
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bertin TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Collaboration for S-KAPS system development. Bertin provides PeriSight Top Attack 360-degree IR surveillance and detection system (day/night) for vehicle self-protection against top-attack threats. Both Lacroix and Bertin are GICAT members exhibiting at Eurosatory 2026.
• MC2 TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Collaboration for S-KAPS Counter Drone system. MC2 Technologies provides HADDES system - an RF drone detection sensor/autonomous passive RF detector. Three French SMEs (Lacroix, Bertin, MC2) formed unique collaboration for counter-drone capability. All GICAT members.
• NextercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development of S-KAPS end-effectors for vehicle self-protection. Nexter provides effectors integrated into the S-KAPS system for automated protective responses.
• SAABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for DVM 200 (Dynamically Variable Magazine) mobile decoy launcher prototype for helicopters. SAAB and Lacroix co-presented the prototype at Paris Air Show 2025, combining SAAB's launcher with Lacroix decoys.
• DCNS (Naval Group)coreTechnology or IntegrationDCNS developed CANTO acoustic torpedo countermeasure technology. Lacroix's SYLENA system dispenses DCNS CANTO using SEALAT pyrotechnic mortar for effective anti-torpedo protection.
• Milton InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew entity within Etienne Lacroix Group, specialist in drones and embedded systems. Collaboration to develop more effective decoy solutions combining pyrotechnic expertise with drone technology for deterrence training, tactical decoy optimization, and maritime protection.
• GICAT (French Defense Industry Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLacroix Defense is a member of GICAT. Association organizes French pavilions at international defense exhibitions, providing marketing and distribution support for member companies.
• COGEScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizer of French Pavilion at international exhibitions including MSPO in Poland. Provides exhibition organization services supporting Lacroix's international presence.
• IMEREOS SASminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird-party website hosting provider for lacroix-defense.com. Hosted at 3 Rue Apollo, L'Union, France.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Chemring Group: UK-listed defense company specializing in pyrotechnic countermeasures, including chaff, flares, and decoy ammunition for air, land, and naval platforms. Closest direct competitor to Lacroix's GALIX and airborne countermeasure product lines, with comparable 150+ year heritage and product portfolio.
• Diehl Defence: German defense division of Diehl Group manufacturing guided missiles, ammunition, and air defense systems including IRIS-T and countermeasure products. Direct competitor in naval decoy launchers and airborne countermeasure ammunition across European markets.
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Israeli defense company producing Trophy active protection system, Spike missiles, and counter-drone solutions. Major competitor in vehicle self-protection and counter-drone domains with comparable multi-domain (air, land, naval) coverage.
• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics company offering comprehensive EW suites, counter-drone systems (ReDrone), airborne countermeasures, and vehicle self-protection solutions. Direct competitor in S-KAPS-style integrated soft-kill protection across multiple domains.

Broad incumbents

• Thales: French defense and aerospace prime with broad portfolio including EW suites, missile systems, and radar. Competes with Lacroix in integrated countermeasure suites and is also a potential customer through prime contracting on naval platforms (e.g., DAGAIE NG decoy launcher compatibility with SYLENA).
• SAAB: Swedish defense and aerospace company with naval self-protection systems and helicopter solutions. Active partner of Lacroix (DVM 200 launcher) and competitor in naval and airborne countermeasure segments.
• KNDS (Nexter / KMW): Franco-German armored vehicle prime consolidating Nexter and KMW. Strategic partner of Lacroix on S-KAPS end-effectors and Scorpion program, while also competing as a potential integrator for countermeasure suites on its own platforms.
• Rheinmetall: German defense prime with growing air defense and counter-drone portfolio (including Skynex, Oerlikon). Competes in vehicle active/passive protection and emerging counter-drone markets across European and export customers.
• Leonardo: Italian defense prime with electronic warfare, missile systems (Leonardo DRS), and naval platforms. Competes in naval decoy launching systems and airborne countermeasure segments, with comparable European defense customer footprint.

Emerging players

• Hensoldt: German sensor specialist (formerly Airbus Defence electronics) providing radar, EW, and counter-drone detection systems. Partial overlap with Lacroix's integrated countermeasure offering, particularly in multi-sensor detection architecture for S-KAPS-class systems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lacroix_defense
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lacroix-defence-&-security

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lacroix