Dassault Aviation

Our commitment to innovation is evidenced by our R&D budget: €539 million in financed R&D and €483 million in self-financed R&D (2023 figures). Our current development projects include the Rafale F4 and Export standards, the FCAS, Falcon 10X, Falcon 8X Archange, Falcon 2000 Albatros and drones.

Our business aircraft are ideally suited to the incorporation of innovations that help reduce CO2 emissions. We are exploring a number of technological solutions, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Over its life cycle, SAF emits 80% to 90% less CO2 than fossil kerosene. Our Falcons are already equipped to fly with SAF containing 50% non-fossil fuel.

We are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the operational performance of aviation, with a view to harnessing the full potential of the concept of collaborative combat.

In 2023, we hired nearly 2,000 people, including over 200 apprentices. All areas of activity are involved. The same policy will be applied in 2024. Dassault Aviation is ranked sixth, all categories combined, in Statista's 2024 ranking of France's 500 best employers, and first in the Aerospace, Rail and Naval category.

For the past decade, Dassault Aviation has been one of the top 10 companies chosen by engineering school students. In 2023, the Company is once again in the top 5 of the Universum France ranking of the 130 most attractive employers for engineering students, across all sectors. We are also one of the three industrial companies preferred by students and recent graduates, according to Epoka/Harris Interactive.

Marcel Bloch started his industrial adventure in 1916 with the Eclair propeller. Between the wars, he became France's second-largest aircraft manufacturer. After the defeat, refusing to collaborate with the Nazis, he was deported to Buchenwald, while many of his employees joined the Free French Forces and the French Resistance. Returning from his ordeal, Marcel Bloch resumed his activities under the Dassault name. His company developed the Ouragan-Mystère and Mirage families of combat aircraft. Its current flagship, the Rafale, has enjoyed the same technological, operational and commercial success. Launched in the 60s, Falcon business aircraft are renowned the world over. Today, Dassault Aviation is the only European company to produce both combat aircraft and business jets. In the space of a century, it has produced over 100 prototypes and sold more than 10,000 aircraft in 90 countries.