French aerospace company Dassault Aviation, maker of the Rafale fighter and Falcon business jets is to partner with Paris-based startup Harmattan AI to integrate autonomy and AI into air combat systems.
As part of the collaboration, Dassault Aviation is leading Harmattan AI’s $200 million Series B funding round.
Harmattan AI, which was founded in 2024 develops autonomous air-defense, spy and strike drones as well as electronic-warfare products, and communications platforms. The company already has French and UK military contracts, including a deal to supply 3,000 drones to the UK’s Ministry of Defence.
According to Harmattan, the funds will be used to expand the deployment of AI-enabled missions across new operational theaters, expand its product offering into new domains and scale industrial manufacturing of its ISR, drone interception, and electronic warfare platforms.
AI capabilities developed by the partnership will be used in Dassault’s future air combat platforms such as the Rafale F5 and UCAS (Unmanned Combat Air System). The Rafale F5 is expected to enter service in 2030.
Dassault will provide expertise in system architecture for military platforms, integration of mission systems and support for international business development under the partnership.
Mouad M’Ghari, CEO and co-founder of Harmattan AI said, “The partnership with Dassault marks a decisive step in the emergence of a new generation of autonomous defense systems. By combining frontier AI with world-class military aviation expertise, we are shaping the future of collaborative air combat.”
Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation said, “This partnership with Harmattan AI reflects our commitment to integrating high-value autonomy into the next generation of combat air systems. By joining forces with a fast-moving and innovative company, we reinforce our ability to deliver the advanced capabilities required by our armed forces in the decades ahead.”
According to sources, the latest funding round values Harmattan AI at US$1.4 billion.
