Sofema
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Defense, Aerospace |
| Predecessor | Ofema, Sofma |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Levallois , France |
Key people | Guillaume Giscard d'Estaing (CEO and chairman as of 2007), Bernard Norlain (CEO and chairman in 2001) |
| Products | Refurbished military hardware (vehicles, helicopters), spare parts, advisory services |
| Owner | EADS, Safran, DCNS, Thales, NEXTER SYSTEMS, Dassault Aviation, Renault Trucks (Volvo Group) |
Sofema (Société française d’exportation de matériel militaire et aéronautique) is a French enterprise dedicated to the refurbishment, distribution, and upkeep of first-generation military hardware across land, maritime, and aviation sectors, primarily obtained from the French Armed Forces.
The company’s headquarters are situated in Levallois, close to Paris, while its technical centers operate out of La Teste in Gironde (southwestern France) and Châteauroux in Indre. Notably, Sofema was reportedly involved by Indian lobbyist Niira Radia and Singh in channeling commissions tied to a helicopter procurement agreement with Eurocopter through Sahara Airlines.
History
Established in 1997 through the consolidation of Ofema and Sofma—two organizations supporting the international sales efforts of major French aerospace and defense corporations—Sofema underwent privatization in 1998. Its principal shareholders included industry leaders such as EADS, Safran, DCNS, Thales, NEXTER SYSTEMS, Dassault Aviation (represented by Eric Trappier), and Renault Trucks (Volvo Group).
In 2001, General (CR) Bernard Norlain assumed the roles of CEO and chairman, steering the company towards diversification to offset diminishing core activities caused by internal sales forces within its shareholder base. By 2007, under the leadership of CEO and chairman Guillaume Giscard d'Estaing, Sofema transitioned from functioning as an intermediary in large-scale export deals to directly marketing refurbished military hardware. The product portfolio includes vehicles such as the VBC-90 internal security vehicle, the armored personnel carrier Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé, the helicopter model Aérospatiale Alouette III, alongside light armored cars like the AML and the Eland.
Renovation
Sofema primarily procures first-generation equipment originating from France and restores it to near-original condition through its own workshops or trusted partners. These contracts frequently encompass comprehensive implementation assistance and training programs tailored for purchasing nations, paralleling services provided by leading exporters of new defense systems.
Trading
In addition to refurbishment activities, Sofema offers spare parts essential for maintaining its renovated equipment.
Advisory
The International Advisory arm of Sofema aids global industrial entities in expanding internationally by delivering services such as audit financing, commercial representation, and operational support across five continents. Their expertise covers sectors including defense and security, aerospace, energy, transport infrastructure, and environmental industries.