INRIA and the DGA consolidate cooperation

Paris, November 7, 2007

On 7 November 2007, France's Armament Procurement Agency (DGA) and the National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control (INRIA) signed a framework agreement officially confirming the two organisations' desire to work together more closely.

This framework agreement is aimed at facilitating the exchange of scientific, technological and methodological knowledge between INRIA and the DGA. It comes as part of a general drive to develop research in the area of information and communication science and technology (ICST) for the benefit of both defence and civilian sectors.
INRIA will provide the DGA with all its expertise in specific areas with a view to meeting Defence requirements. In particular, cooperation will cover the following subjects:

• Contribution to technology watch;
• Advice and consulting to define technical strategy;
• Identification and supervision of research in areas of mutual interest in study programmes upstream of the DGA, or that have a great deal of potential for innovation;
• Development of a network of experts to find solutions geared to the DGA's short-, medium- and long-term needs;
• Promotion of reciprocal exchanges of personnel; training specialists.

Implementation of this agreement has been placed under the authority of two collegiate bodies, which will be chaired by the DGA and INRIA in alternate years. The main duties of these two bodies are to define lines of scientific research for cooperative projects and report on progress on the projects implemented.

 

About DGA

The DGA is France's contracting authority for armament programmes, providing equipment for the armed forces. As such, it places contracts worth around 10 billion euros a year with the defence industry. In charge of planning for future weapons systems, the DGA also invests over 700 million euros in design contracts, making it Europe's leading player in defence research. Lastly, the DGA is involved in promoting armaments exports, supplying equipment worth an average 5 billion euros. The DGA has ISO 9001 certification.

More information: http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga and http://www.ixarm.com

 

About INRIA

The mission of the French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control is to carry out research in Information and Communication Sciences and Technologies (ICST). Through six research units located in seven major regions, INRIA employs a workforce of 3,700 people, including 2,900 scientists (from INRIA and associate organisations). INRIA's annual budget is €162 million (excluding VAT), 20% of which comes from its own resources (contracts, licences). INRIA plays a decisive role in five areas of research: communicative, cognitive, symbolic, numerical and biological systems. INRIA develops many partnerships with industry and fosters technology transfers and business creation (83 enterprises) in the field of ICST, in particular through its affiliate, INRIA-Transfert, who operates four seeding funds.

More information: http://www.inria.fr/index.en.html

 

Press contacts:

INRIA Vincent Coronini Tel.: + 33 1 39 63 57 29

Lowe Stratéus for INRIA Clémentine Duguay Tel.: +33 1 40 41 56 11

DGA Matthieu Duvelleroy Tel.: +33 1 46 19 81 57

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