Dassault backs Harmattan AI to bring controlled autonomy to Rafale F5 and UCAS

Dassault Aviation has announced a strategic partnership with French defense technology company Harmattan AI and is leading the startup’s $200 million Series B funding round to accelerate the integration of “controlled autonomy” and artificial intelligence into future combat aviation systems.

Announced on January 12, 2026, the agreement aims to develop embedded AI functions for Dassault’s next generation of combat aircraft, explicitly including the Rafale F5 standard with a particular focus on the control of unmanned aerial systems such as the UCAS ‘loyal wingman’. Dassault describes the effort as part of a wider strategy to bring “sovereign, controlled and monitored AI” into its combat systems.

“This partnership with Harmattan AI reflects our commitment to integrating high-value autonomy into the next generation of combat air systems,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “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.”

“An essential partnership with Dassault Aviation and a significant fundraising round for Harmattan AI grant it the status of France’s new unicorn,” French President Emmanuel Macron commented. “This is excellent news for our strategic autonomy, for the technological superiority of our armed forces in AI-activated defense drones, and for our economy.”

Fast-growing French defense tech startup

(Credit: Dassault Aviation)Founded in 2024, Paris-based Harmattan AI develops integrated autonomous defense systems, including layered air defense solutions, coordinated ISR and strike drones, electronic warfare capabilities, and command-and-control platforms. The company has secured multiple programs of record with the French and UK ministries of defense and reports deliveries of several thousand autonomous robotic systems, positioning it as one of the fastest-growing players in the sector.

The proceeds of the $200 million round will be used to expand the deployment of AI-enabled missions across new operational theaters, extend Harmattan AI’s product offering into new domains, and scale manufacturing of its ISR, drone interception, and electronic warfare platforms.

Dassault said it will contribute its long experience in complex military systems architecture, mission system integration in high-intensity environments, and international business development, while Harmattan AI will provide its autonomy and mission software expertise.

Part of broader “sovereign AI” push

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The Harmattan AI deal follows Dassault’s recent partnership with Thales’ cortAIx AI accelerator, announced in November 2025, which also focuses on controlled and supervised AI for future collaborative air combat systems. Taken together, the two partnerships underline Dassault’s effort to build a French and European industrial ecosystem around sovereign AI for manned and unmanned air platforms.The post Dassault backs Harmattan AI to bring controlled autonomy to Rafale F5 and UCAS appeared first on AeroTime.

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