Dassault Aviation invests in Harmattan AI — Rafale F5 AI
France is placing bigger bets on combat autonomy. Dassault Aviation invests in Harmattan AI through a €200 million Series B round that values the Paris-based startup at €1.4 billion. The funding also positions Harmattan as France’s first “defense unicorn” and ties its autonomy stack to Dassault’s next air-combat roadmap.
Embedded AI for Rafale F5 & UCAS
Dassault and Harmattan will develop embedded AI for future air combat systems. In particular, they want software that helps control unmanned aerial systems alongside a crewed fighter. That work maps to the future Rafale F5 standard and a companion air-combat drone, often framed as a loyal wingman.
This project is not about “hands-off” lethal autonomy. Instead, it is about supervised autonomy that reduces pilot workload while keeping humans in the loop. Faster sensor-to-shooter cycles and improved survivability in contested airspace are therefore the reward.
Why Dassault Moved Now
The timing matters. France, Germany, and Spain still struggle to push the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) forward at pace. Public reporting points to recurring disputes over workshare and program authority between Dassault Aviation and Airbus. Consequently, Paris has incentives to mature national building blocks in parallel, especially for crewed-unmanned teaming.
Macron had planned to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in December to resolve FCAS differences by the end of 2025. However, no public breakthrough has followed so far. That silence keeps “plan B” thinking alive in industry circles.
What Harmattan Can Scale
Harmattan says it builds “vertically integrated autonomous systems.” In practice, that implies tight coupling between airframes, payloads, autonomy software, and command-and-control tools. Moreover, the firm pitches a mission set that spans ISR, drone interception, and electronic warfare.
The Series B proceeds will fund wider deployment and industrial scale-up. That matters because autonomy only changes outcomes when forces can wield it in volume, sustain it, and update it safely.
€1.4bn Valuation, Bigger Talent Bench
The €1.4 billion valuation reportedly represents a sharp step up from the prior round. Harmattan also says it now has 130+ employees with a median of 15 years of experience. It has hired senior talent from firms such as Safran and Isar Aerospace, which suggests it is building production discipline, not just prototypes.
Orders That Test the Platform
Unlike many defense AI narratives, this one includes short-term orders. Harmattan says the UK Ministry of Defense selected it in September for up to 3,000 autonomous drones. France’s Armed Forces Ministry also placed a June order for 1,000 combat drones for delivery by the end of 2025. Therefore, the company must prove it can manufacture, train, and support at speed.
A concrete data point helps. Reporting describes a Harmattan quadcopter delivered to French forces that weighs 1.8 kilograms, flies for roughly 40 minutes, and uses infrared cameras from French firm Lynred. However, the specification still fits the demand for mass ISR and close-range targeting under heavy electronic attack.
Embedded AI in Contested Airspace
Embedded AI aboard a fighter ecosystem must cope with jamming, degraded GNSS, and datalink loss. It must also remain predictable and testable. Consequently, early wins usually come from sensor fusion, threat prioritization, route replanning, and decision aids for multi-UAS control.
For Rafale F5, the concept is collaborative air combat. A crewed aircraft can orchestrate unmanned teammates for sensing, decoying, or electronic attack. However, if autonomy operates in an opaque manner, it will undermine the success of the doctrine. Therefore, France’s emphasis on sovereign and controlled AI matters as much as model accuracy.
Strategic Takeaways
Dassault Aviation invests in Harmattan AI and gains more than a startup stake. It gains an autonomy partner aligned to French requirements, French supply chains, and French governance. Moreover, the move provides optionality if FCAS governance remains slow.
Watch for test milestones tied to Rafale F5, delivery metrics for the 2025 drone orders, and clear rules on human control in contested environments.
References
- https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/group/press/press-kits/harmattan-ais-200-million-series-b-led-by-dassault-aviation/
- https://www.harmattan.ai/blog/harmattan-ai-200-million-series-b-led-by-dassault-aviation/
- https://www.reuters.com/technology/dassault-aviation-invests-french-defence-ai-unicorn-harmattan-2026-01-12/
- https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/01/12/dassault-aviation-invests-in-harmattan-ai-at-14-billion-value/
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