13. January 2026
Dassault Aviation Makes Historic 200M Investment With Harmattan Ai To Revolutionize Combat Aviation
Dassault Aviation has partnered with Harmattan AI in a $200 million Series B funding round, bolstering its position as a leader in combat aviation. The strategic alliance aims to accelerate the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) in military aircraft.
The partnership marks a major milestone for both parties, highlighting Dassault’s commitment to technological excellence and sovereignty. By teaming up with Harmattan AI, a cutting-edge AI specialist, Dassault seeks to harness the power of autonomy in its next-generation combat air systems, ensuring that its aircraft deliver capabilities required by armed forces in the future.
The agreement reflects Dassault Aviation’s strategic focus on innovation and collaboration. The company has consistently demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing technological landscapes, investing heavily in research and development (R&D) initiatives aimed at enhancing products and services. This partnership with Harmattan AI is a testament to Dassault’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve in terms of autonomous systems.
Harmattan AI, founded by CEO and co-founder Mouad M’Ghari, has established itself as a key player in the development of autonomous defense systems. The company has secured multiple Programs of Record with the French and UK Ministries of Defence for its autonomous systems, demonstrating capabilities in this critical domain.
The new funding will enable Harmattan AI to scale faster, expanding its product range into additional domains and accelerating the rollout of AI-enabled missions in new operational environments. This investment will also support the company’s efforts to ramp up manufacturing of its ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), drone interception, and electronic warfare platforms.
M’Ghari stated that the partnership with Dassault Aviation is a major step towards realizing Harmattan AI’s mission to deliver scalable, sovereign AI capabilities to allied forces. He highlighted the significance of this collaboration, emphasizing that it will enable the company to accelerate its development and deployment of autonomous systems.
As part of the agreement, Harmattan AI’s embedded AI technologies will be integrated into Dassault Aviation’s future air combat platforms, including the Rafale F5 and unmanned combat air systems. A key focus of this partnership will be on the control and coordination of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), closely aligned with Dassault’s broader strategy of deploying sovereign, controlled, and monitored AI in its combat aircraft.
Dassault Aviation brings a wealth of experience to this partnership, having designed and integrated complex military platforms that operate in high-intensity environments. The company has established a strong network for international growth, facilitating collaboration and knowledge-sharing with other defense partners around the world.
The implications of this partnership are far-reaching, as it highlights the growing importance of autonomy in modern military aviation. Nations are increasingly looking towards autonomous systems to achieve strategic advantages, with governments and defense contractors investing heavily in AI and automation research.
The partnership between Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI underscores the critical role that innovation will play in shaping the future of military aviation. As nations seek to maintain their competitive edge in a rapidly changing security landscape, collaboration and investment in cutting-edge technologies like autonomy and AI are essential.
The deal with Harmattan AI reflects the ongoing trend of defense contractors investing in autonomous systems. Other companies, such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, have also secured significant funding for autonomous research and development initiatives. These partnerships aim to accelerate the integration of AI and autonomy into military aircraft, enabling armed forces to operate more effectively and efficiently.
The partnership between Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI represents a significant development in the field of autonomous defense systems. By combining their expertise and resources, these two companies aim to accelerate the integration of controlled autonomy and AI into combat aviation, positioning themselves at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.
The growing importance of autonomy in military aviation has significant implications for national security. As nations invest in autonomous systems, they must also consider the potential risks and challenges associated with these technologies. Ensuring that autonomous systems are developed and deployed responsibly is crucial to maintaining trust and confidence in these critical capabilities.
In addition to its strategic focus on innovation and collaboration, Dassault Aviation has emphasized the importance of sovereign defense capabilities. The company’s partnership with Harmattan AI reflects this commitment, as it aims to develop technologies that can be used by allied forces without compromising national security interests.
The deal with Harmattan AI is a significant step towards realizing Dassault Aviation’s vision for next-generation combat air systems. By combining their expertise and resources, the two companies aim to accelerate the integration of autonomy and AI into military aircraft, enabling armed forces to operate more effectively and efficiently.
Dassault Aviation’s partnership with Harmattan AI underscores the critical role that innovation will play in shaping the future of military aviation. As nations seek to maintain their competitive edge in a rapidly changing security landscape, collaboration and investment in cutting-edge technologies like autonomy and AI are essential. The deal represents a significant development in this field, highlighting the growing importance of autonomous systems in modern military aviation.