Trappier Defends Leadership Role In Future Combat Air System

Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier has rejected allegations that the company is failing to meet its contractual commitments on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), instead arguing that the program’s deadlock is fundamentally about governance and leadership. Trappier made the comments during the company’s 2025 annual results briefing, where he also reported higher sales and operating profit and forecast further growth in 2026. The FCAS program has been plagued by disputes over governance and workshare, with Trappier accusing Airbus of not respecting the initial agreement. The situation was first reported by AeroTime.