HPQ CEO Says French Army Battery Delivery Opens Path to Broader Defence Opportunities
In a new interview with AGORACOM’s George Tsiolis, HPQ Silicon CEO Bernard Tourillon discusses what comes next after Novacium delivered its first batch of prototype tactical-radio batteries to the French Army Technical Section (STAT).
✅ Tourillon explains how Novacium addressed a battery-performance challenge that the incumbent supplier had reportedly said was not possible, delivering a design intended to double energy capacity while maintaining compatibility with existing equipment.
✅ He describes the delivery as another step along the commercialization path, with the immediate focus now on operational testing, user feedback and preparing the second battery batch.
✅ Tourillon also discusses how the STAT program could create opportunities beyond France, including conversations with suppliers serving other NATO militaries and development of a more NATO-compatible version of the battery.
By watching the interview, you’ll gain:
Why the STAT delivery matters commercially and how HPQ views the progression from silicon-anode materials to higher-value cells and complete battery packs.
What happens during the French Army’s operational evaluation, how the resulting RETEX feedback will shape the next iteration, and why Novacium expects to move from GEN3 to higher-capacity GEN4 cells for the second batch.
How this opportunity could expand beyond France, with Tourillon discussing a pathway toward other NATO-compatible applications while making clear that there are no guarantees of expansion.
Why HPQ is moving further down the battery value chain. Tourillon explains that rather than focusing exclusively on becoming a large-volume silicon-anode material producer, HPQ sees an opportunity to use relatively small quantities of its material in higher-value cells and battery packs, potentially creating an earlier path to revenue and profit.
Watch the full interview here:
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