French defense giants Dassault Aviation and Thales are joining forces to bring “controlled and supervised” AI into military aeronautics, aiming to make aircraft smarter and more effective in the skies.
The partnership, signed by Dassault CEO Eric Trappier and Thales CEO Patrice Caine, was presented at the Adopt AI Summit in Paris.
Working with Thales’ tech arm cortAIx, the duo plans to develop AI that can help pilots and drones spot threats, make sense of complex situations, plan missions, and run operations with greater speed, precision, and coordination.
At the summit, the companies conducted a hands-on demo of their AI systems, giving officials, researchers, and industry representatives a first look at their strategy for secure AI in defense operations.
Pascale Lohat, Dassault’s chief technical officer, said the project reflects a shared mission: building “trusted and sovereign” AI for the French Armed Forces.
“This partnership is reflected in research and innovation programmes dedicated to the collaborative air combat of the future, with a view to incorporating AI into aeronautical defence systems,” he said.
Global Reach and Compliance
The project will eventually tap into a global network of partners, with strict adherence to omestic and international AI rules, including the EU AI Act.
“cortAIx will bring to this strategic partnership with Dassault Aviation the best of Thales’ technological heritage, enriched by decades of military experience, combined with the agility and dynamics of a powerful innovation accelerator,” explained Mickael Brossard, vice president of cortAIx.
Operating in France, the UK, Canada, and Singapore — and soon the UAE — cortAIx said it relies on recognized technological partners to turn AI breakthroughs into practical tools that boost operational efficiency.
