Dassault & cortAIx Partner on Sovereign AI for Future Air Combat
Dassault Aviation and Thales solidify defense AI leadership through strategic cortAIx partnership
Dassault Aviation and Thales’ artificial intelligence accelerator cortAIx have formalized a landmark strategic partnership aimed at developing sovereign, controlled AI solutions for European defense aeronautics. The agreement, signed November 18 by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Thales CEO Patrice Caine, was publicly unveiled November 25 at the Grand Palais in Paris during the International Adopt AI Summit, held under the patronage of the French President.
The partnership represents a convergence of two industrial powerhouses’ technological expertise and innovation capabilities. Dassault Aviation brings its century-long heritage of military aircraft development, including the Rafale fighter jet, while cortAIx contributes Thales’ decades of military experience combined with accelerated innovation methodologies. Together, they are developing AI systems specifically designed for collaborative air combat scenarios of the future.
The collaboration encompasses comprehensive AI functionality across multiple defense domains. Planned applications include autonomous systems for both manned and unmanned aircraft, real-time observation capabilities, tactical situation analysis, automated decision-making support, operational planning, and in-flight control systems. This broad scope positions the partnership as addressing critical operational needs across the entire spectrum of modern military aviation.
Pascale Lohat, Chief Technical Officer at Dassault Aviation, emphasized the partnership’s alignment with strategic priorities: “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to trusted, sovereign and controlled artificial intelligence for the armed forces.” The collaboration explicitly incorporates national and European ethical principles and complies with the EU’s AI Act regulatory framework.
cortAIx brings significant global infrastructure to the initiative. Operating across France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, and soon the United Arab Emirates, the accelerator leverages recognized technological partners to translate AI advances into practical defense capabilities. Mickael Brossard, Vice-President of cortAIx Factory, noted that the partnership combines “Thales’ technological heritage” with “the agility and dynamics of a powerful innovation accelerator.”
The strategic initiative directly supports European defense priorities under the European Defence Fund, positioning both organizations as catalysts for continental military technology advancement. By emphasizing sovereignty, security, and controlled deployment of AI systems, the partnership addresses mounting geopolitical concerns regarding defense technology independence and ethical AI implementation in military contexts.
Dassault Aviation maintains substantial global presence with over 10,000 military and civil aircraft delivered across 90 countries. The company generated €6.2 billion in 2024 revenues with 14,600 employees. Thales, a global advanced technology leader, operates across 68 countries with over 83,000 employees and €20.6 billion in 2024 sales, investing more than €4 billion annually in research and development across critical technology domains.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764102555216-953