Dassault posted a net profit of €830 million on €6.9 billion in revenues last year, despite supply-chain difficulties, inflation, and Western sanctions that resulted in the cancelation of Russian orders for Falcon business jets. The company also booked net orders for 64 Falcons and 92 Rafales, the latter mainly thanks to the UAE’s confirmation of its order for 80.
CEO Eric Trappier told journalists this morning at the company’s annual results press conference that “the backlog was full, and is the largest in the company’s history.” It comprises 87 Falcons and 164 Rafales.
Trappier described progress with the Falcon 6X and 10X programs. Certification and first deliveries of the 6X are expected in midyear, with some aircraft already completed at its Little Rock factory. Some minor improvements are being made as a result of the recently concluded 6X world tour.
Some parts for the 10X are already made and wing tests have been conducted. It is being designed to fly on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel. Trappier said that the spacious cabin will be a major selling point and suggested that China could be a significant source of 10X orders.
Meanwhile, production of forward fuselages for the Falcon in India is ramping up, and an avionics upgrade for the 7X and 8X is continuing.
A Falcon maintenance hub was opened in the UAE last year and a new center is opening in Melbourne, Florida, to replace the now-closed facility in Wilmington, Delaware, where “the facilities were becoming obsolete,” Trappier noted. He admitted that support for Falcon customers worldwide could be improved, especially regarding the supply of spare parts. But Falcons still remain in high demand, as evidenced by the few available on the preowned market, he added.
Dassault is proposing the 10X for Europe’s next maritime patrol aircraft. Study contracts worth €10.9 million each were recently awarded to Dassault and Airbus, which is proposing the A320neo.
As for Europe’s most significant new collaborative military program, Trappier declared himself happy with the outcome of the protracted negotiations over who-does-what in Phase 1B of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). “We got what we wanted”, he said, meaning the design leadership of the manned Next Generation Fighter (NGF) component. “The agreement protects our intellectual property,” he added.
A demonstrator will fly in mid-2029. The overall system includes complementary unmanned aircraft, for which there is no design leadership, Trappier noted. Instead, there are “pillars” of responsibility.
But Airbus has design leadership on the Eurodrone UAV. Dassault is the major subcontractor, responsible for the flight control system and the communication systems.
The Rafale’s success on export markets continues, according to Trappier. Indonesia has made the first payment on its firm order for six, with another 36 planned. Greece ordered six more. Columbia remains a prospect, as well as the Indian Navy for the marine version.
Last year, the French air force took delivery of its first jet in four years, with another 39 domestic orders expected. Development work on the F4 standard continues, and Dassault “is preparing an F5 standard for 2030 onwards,” Trappier said.
The Rafale production rate remains at a relatively sedate 14 per annum for the time being, but a major increase is foreseen from 2027, when deliveries to the UAE begin, he said.