Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
French shell-maker supplying Ukraine placed in receivership
A court in Tarbes placed Les Forges de Tarbes in receivership on Monday, 26 October.
The factory is France’s only producer of 155mm shell bodies, which are used in Caesar guns supplied by France to Ukraine.
The plant employs about 60 people and is owned by Europlasma, which sought the court process.
Europlasma bought the site in 2021 and promised investment to modernize it and raise production, but workers said the promised investment had not arrived.
The French arms procurement agency alerted prosecutors to recent management decisions it said appeared to have worsened the company’s finances.
Receivership could allow a buyer to take over, and finding one is now hoped for, while regional officials have urged the government to act.
The plant must also bring some equipment into compliance by the end of December or it could be ordered to shut down.
Les Forges de Tarbes, a French maker of artillery shell bodies used by Ukraine, was placed in receivership by a commercial court on 26 October.
The company employs about 60 people and makes 155 mm shell bodies used by Caesar guns supplied to Ukraine by France.
Its owner, Europlasma, requested the receivership procedure, which could allow a buyer to take over the company.
The French defence procurement agency referred recent management decisions to prosecutors, saying they appeared to have hastened the company’s financial deterioration.
Employees have called for state intervention, while the regional president has urged the government to act to protect the strategic factory.
- Who
- Les Forges de Tarbes, owned by Europlasma, was placed in receivership.
- What
- The Tarbes commercial court opened receivership proceedings for the shell-body maker.
- When
- 26 October. The article was published on 27 October 2026.
- Where
- Tarbes, France.
- Why
- Europlasma requested the proceedings amid the company’s worsening financial situation. The process could allow a buyer to take over the company.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Europlasma bought the Tarbes site and promised to modernise the ageing factory.
Europlasma announced its intention to sell its defence activities and said it was in discussions with a French industrial company.
The Hautes-Pyrénées prefecture ordered some factory equipment to be brought into compliance by the end of December.
The Tarbes commercial court placed Les Forges de Tarbes in receivership.
- Employees
- About 60
- Product
- 155 mm shell bodies
- Owner
- Europlasma
- Acquisition
- Europlasma bought the Tarbes site in 2021
- Planned output
- 15,000 pieces per month in 2025
- Court action
- Receivership ordered on 26 October 2026
What people are saying
It is not acceptable for a factory so strategic for national and European defence to be subject to so much uncertainty.
Investments must be made to keep the site in good working order.
We feel that we are not supported or heard.