Aeronautics and cybersecurity are key focuses of the fund.

Tikehau Capital has launched a private equity fund dedicated to defence in a bid to boost innovation in Europe, a 16 June press release from the firm revealed.  

Launched in partnership with French insurance firms Société Générale Assurances, CNP Assurances, and CARAC Group, Tikehau Capital’s new fund consists of an initial EUR150 million to support French and European defence companies.

The fund, called “Tikehau Défense et Sécurité” (TDS), will be structured mainly around private equity strategies managed by Tikehau Capital, available as “unit-linked products in the life insurance and retirement savings policies of the three partners from September 2025”, Tikehau Capital said.

Aims of the fund include supporting the emergence of future European leaders as well as promoting job creation and “economic dynamism” in France and Europe, the firm said.

The aeronautics and cybersecurity sectors are a focus of the fund because of the size and growth of momentum in these markets, Tikehau Capital said, while the potential for dual-use capabilities in these areas makes them more attractive targets for private equity.

Initially, the three partner insurers will have exclusive rights to list and market the fund within their policies. After September 2026, the fund will be available through other insurers and will be accessible to any professional investor.

TDS will allow individual policy holders to diversify their savings by investing in “strategic” sectors of Europe’s economy, Tikehau Capital said.

"We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Tikehau Capital”, Philippe Perret, CEO of Société Générale Assurances, said.

“It provides investors with a unique opportunity for diversification by granting access to assets typically reserved for institutional investors, while also enabling them to participate in the financing of European companies in the defence and security sectors”, Perret added.

CARAC Group CEO Michel Andignac also commented, stating that the fund will help his firm “step up” its own investment into the firm’s supporting sovereignty and strategic autonomy in France.

“The Ministry of the Armed Forces welcomes the launch of this new investment fund,” the French defence ministry said in a separate press release, adding that it “illustrates the desire of French private financial stakeholders to demonstrate their support for the BITD and enable individual savers to become involved”.

Tikehau Capital and the French Ministry of the Armed forces had not responded to DSEI Gateway about which defence companies or areas of defence are likely to benefit from the fund at the time of publication.