Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI announced they have formed a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence into combat aviation systems, with Dassault leading a $200 million Series B financing for the defense technology company.
The companies said the collaboration is intended to advance embedded AI capabilities for Dassault’s future air combat systems, including the Rafale F5 and a future unmanned combat air system (UCAS), with a focus on the control of unmanned aerial systems and the integration of “sovereign,” monitored AI in mission-critical environments.
Harmattan AI said it has received multiple Programs of Record from the French and UK Ministries of Defence across its autonomous systems portfolio and is scaling internationally amid increased demand from allied forces. The company said it plans to use the Series B proceeds to expand deployments of AI-enabled missions into additional operational theaters, broaden its product offering into new domains, and scale industrial manufacturing for its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), drone interception, and electronic warfare platforms.
Founded in 2024, Harmattan AI describes itself as a vertically integrated developer of autonomous defense systems, spanning layered air-defense solutions, coordinated ISR and strike UAVs, electronic-warfare products, and command-and-control platforms. The company said it builds autonomy and mission-system software at scale and is currently delivering thousands of systems per month, with deployments across multiple NATO and allied partners.
Dassault Aviation said it will contribute expertise in complex military platform system architecture and mission-system integration for high-intensity operational environments, and will support Harmattan AI’s international business development through its global network. Dassault reported €6.2 billion in revenue in 2024 and said it employs about 14,600 people, with more than 10,000 military and civil aircraft delivered across more than 90 countries over the past century.
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“Dassault Aviation has always placed technological excellence and sovereignty at the heart of its values. This partnership with Harmattan AI reflects our commitment to integrating high-value autonomy into the next generation of combat air systems.”
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation
“This partnership with Dassault Aviation marks a decisive step in the emergence of a new generation of autonomous defense systems. Dassault Aviation’s trust and leadership accelerate our mission: delivering scalable, sovereign AI capabilities to allied forces.”
Mouad M’Ghari, CEO and Co-Founder, Harmattan AI
