ST GROUP Signs a Contract with Aerotec G Concept for the Supply of Complex Composite Parts for the KEPPLAIR 72 Firefighting Bomber Program

Labège, France, June 29, 2026. The KEPPLAIR 72 program is dedicated to converting ATR 72 aircraft into multi-role firefighting bombers designed to strengthen aerial wildfire suppression capabilities while retaining the versatility to perform other types of missions. This exclusive contract further strengthens the existing business relationship between ST GROUP and Aerotec G Concept, which are already collaborating on several leading aerospace programs.

This new contract is expected to generate several hundred thousand euros in revenue for ST GROUP in 2026, in preparation for the conversion of a first aircraft by the end of 2026 / early 2027 and the targeted start of serial production by the end of 2027. Beyond this initial phase, as part of the industrial roadmap for the KEPPLAIR 72 program, the lifetime revenue potential identified for ST GROUP is estimated at €5 million, in line with the Group’s expectations.

The parts entrusted to ST GROUP comprise two particularly demanding assemblies:

• the belly fairing, the aircraft’s ventral fairing located beneath the fuselage, contributing to the aerodynamic and structural integration of the aircraft’s new configuration;
• components dedicated to adapting the air conditioning and ventilation functions (ATA 21 kit).

Together, these assemblies represent approximately fifty composite parts and require expertise in complex geometries, weight constraints, precise integration with the existing ATR 72 structure, and a high level of industrial repeatability in preparation for serial production. Their manufacture will leverage ST GROUP’s expertise in high-performance composite materials, mould optimization, autoclave processing, quality control and full traceability.

Stéphane Trento, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ST GROUP, commented:

“This contract with Aerotec G Concept represents a significant recognition of our expertise in high-performance aerospace composites. It marks the first operational milestone of an innovative, sovereign program delivering strong public value. We are proud to contribute our expertise to a French project that combines technical excellence, civil protection and regional industrial development.”

A Selection Based on Proximity, Agility and Industrial Expertise

Aerotec G Concept selected ST GROUP for its ability to combine composite expertise, aerospace-quality standards and industrial agility. During the aircraft conversion and pre-industrialization phases, the proximity of the teams, responsiveness in execution and the ability to optimize manufacturing processes—particularly tooling and autoclave processing—are key factors in ensuring quality, cost efficiency and repeatability ahead of serial production.

Johan Clochet, CEO of Aerotec G Concept, stated:

“The KEPPLAIR 72 program requires rigorous execution, outstanding industrial responsiveness and advanced expertise in composite manufacturing processes. We selected ST GROUP for the quality of its industrial capabilities, its proximity, its reliability and its ability to deliver practical process optimization solutions. This partnership is built on trust and efficiency, both of which are essential to supporting the program’s industrialization roadmap.”

A French Program Addressing Europe’s Civil Protection Challenges

The KEPPLAIR 72 program is being developed against a backdrop of growing European demand for aerial firefighting resources. The increasing intensity of wildfires, the extension of high-risk seasons and the expansion of vulnerable areas have made civil protection and territorial resilience major operational priorities across Europe. According to Copernicus/JRC, 2025 was the most severe wildfire season ever recorded in the European Union, with more than one million hectares burned—almost twice the annual average recorded between 2006 and 2024.

In this context, converting existing aircraft based on a proven platform such as the ATR 72 offers a complementary approach to existing fleets: potentially faster to industrialize, more cost-effective in terms of development, and firmly anchored in a European aerospace value chain. The market targeted by Kepplair Evolution and Aerotec G Concept could represent nearly 25% of the global market, with an industrial production target of approximately 12 aircraft per year.

The KEPPLAIR 72 project also benefits from the support of a first-class public, industrial and aerospace ecosystem, bringing together former executives, experts and recognized figures from the aerospace and civil protection sectors.

David Joubert, Chairman of Kepplair Evolution, added:

“KEPPLAIR 72 pursues a clear objective: to provide a pragmatic, industrially scalable European solution for strengthening aerial firefighting capabilities. The involvement of qualified regional industrial partners alongside Aerotec G Concept is helping to build a strong and committed industrial value chain. Our ambition is to make KEPPLAIR 72 a concrete European response to what has now become a structural capacity requirement: providing additional, versatile and industrially scalable aerial assets to better protect territories against wildfires.”

About ST GROUP

ST GROUP is a French industrial group specializing in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance composite parts and subassemblies for advanced industries. Located near Toulouse, at the heart of Aerospace Valley, the Group operates across the entire composite value chain, from engineering and manufacturing to finishing and quality control.

ST GROUP supports leading civil and military aerospace programs while expanding into complementary growth markets in the defense and space sectors. As a member of the French Defence Industrial and Technological Base (BITD), the Group leverages its industrial expertise to address growing challenges related to performance, sovereignty and industrial continuity.

Backed by a 4.0 industrial platform and a strong positioning in high-growth markets, ST GROUP continues to pursue a profitable growth strategy driven by increased production capacity, the gradual diversification of its end markets and the expansion of its expertise in high-value-added composite applications.

ST GROUP has also developed ST Luxury, a start-up dedicated to signature products for business aviation. This business leverages aerospace composite expertise to create a premium range of luggage and travel accessories, with commercialization through specialized distribution channels scheduled to begin at the end of 2026.

Source: ST GROUP