Strategy
Strategy
© Dassault Aviation - A. Boissaye
Éric Trappier
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation
March 2026
The current military, geopolitical and economic climate is fraught with uncertainty. France has a number of strengths that it can draw on to address this situation, not least its long‑standing strategic autonomy, in which we have played an active role for over sixty years. Thanks to its decades of experience, Dassault Aviation too is equipped to meet these challenges.
The Rafale posted a strong performance in 2025, with 26 aircraft sold to the Indian Navy and 26 delivered to our customers (ahead of the target of 25). For an increasing number of countries, our highly versatile combat aircraft epitomizes efficiency and sovereignty.
In terms of civil aircraft, our Falcon range made steady gains: 31 business jets ordered (up from 26 in 2024) and 37 delivered (up from 31). The specter of US tariffs did not help matters. For the first half of the year, securing orders and delivering to the United States proved challenging.
As regards after‑sales support, we have beefed up our civil and military maintenance teams to sustain the high level of service our customers have come to expect.
With an order book comprising 220 Rafale and 73 Falcon aircraft, we have a lot on our plate. I would like to applaud all those involved in meeting these production challenges, both within the company and throughout our supply chain. Hard work and discipline remain the keys to success in this highly competitive market.