Dassault Aviation: CEO Eric Trappier compares the company to a “Formula 1 team”
In an interview with JDNews, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier spoke about the growing success of the Rafale fighter jet, whose sales recently passed the 500-unit mark. Under his leadership, the company has established itself as a major player in defense aeronautics worldwide.
International success fueled by strategic contracts
One of the latest milestones is the sale of twelve Rafale aircraft to Serbia, concluded in August 2024. Trappier considers this contract as a strong symbol of political rapprochement, explaining that "this type of contract cannot be made without a prior political agreement", thus consolidating the ties between Serbia, France and Europe.
Faced with concerns about data leaks to Russia, Trappier assures that "Dassault knows how to preserve its secrets" and minimizes the risks linked to this contract.
At the same time, Trappier mentioned the possibility of signing new contracts before the end of the year, without revealing the countries concerned. The year 2024 also marked a significant expansion for the company with the hiring of 2 new employees. Rafale production has doubled, with a goal of delivering around 000 aircraft this year.
The company, often seen as a "small" competitor to the giants of American aeronautics, is compared by its CEO to a "Formula 1 team", small but efficient.
European challenges and the future of air defence
Trappier notes that many European countries continue to buy American aircraft, despite discussions around a European defense. The CEO is banking on the SCAF (Future Combat Air System) program, developed in partnership with Germany and Spain, with a first flight planned for 2029 and entry into service in 2045.
Asked about Emmanuel Macron's call for a "war economy", Trappier stressed that Dassault Aviation remains focused on its defense activities, despite supply challenges, while specifying that the sector has not yet fully switched to this economic mode.
