The French Naval Industry Group, GICAN, was created in 1992 by companies involved in the naval industrial sector, under the sponsorship of French MoD. Since that date, GICAN has broadened its scope, now encompassing maritime safety and security and commercial shipbuilding. As a result, the organisation has been granted the sponsorship of the Minsitry of Transport, Public Works, Tourism and Sea.

More than 160 companies are members of GICAN, representing the widest range of activities in the naval and maritime fields. Among them there are not only key prime contractors, system integrators and equipment providers but also Small and Medium Industries (SMI) involved in naval, cruise or mercantile shipbuilding and surveillance activities.