French autonomous defence systems startup Harmattan AI says it has hit a $1.4bn valuation, after raising $200m, in a funding round led by French aerospace group Dassault Aviation, which has inked a strategic partnership with the startup.
The startup has previously raised over $40m in funding. It is unclear what its valuation was prior to this latest funding round.
French President Emmanuel Macron heralded the partnership and funding announcement, highlighting the startup's elevation to unicorn status. On X, he posted: “An essential partnership with Dassault Aviation and a significant fundraising round for Harmattan AI grant it the status of a new French unicorn!
"This is excellent news for our strategic autonomy, for the technological superiority of our armed forces in the field of AI-activated defence drones, as well as for our economy."
Founded in 2024, Paris-based Harmattan AI develops autonomous defence systems, including strike and surveillance drones. It has deployed its tech with multiple NATO partners, it says.
Proceeds from the Series B will be used to expand Harmattan AI's product offering into new areas and scale industrial manufacturing of its drone interception and electronic warfare platforms, the startup said. The partnership between the aerospace group and startup will support the development of embedded AI capabilities by Harmattan AI within Dassault Aviation's future air combat systems.
The startup says it has been awarded several "programs of record" by the UK and French Ministries of Defence.
Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said: “Dassault Aviation has always placed technological excellence and sovereignty at the heart of its values.
"This partnership with Harmattan AI reflects our commitment to integrating high-value autonomy into the next generation of combat air systems.
"By joining forces with a fast-moving and innovative company, we reinforce our ability to deliver the advanced capabilities required by our armed forces in the decades ahead.”
Mouad M’Ghari, CEO and co-founder of Harmattan AI, said: “This partnership with Dassault Aviation marks a decisive step in the emergence of a new generation of autonomous defence systems. Dassault Aviation’s trust and leadership accelerate our mission: delivering scalable, sovereign AI capabilities to allied forces.
"By combining frontier AI with world-class military aviation expertise, we are shaping the future of collaborative air combat."
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