Thales, Dassault, Airbus, Helsing: discover the ten European industrial players developing military AI for fighter jets, drones, and air forces.
In Summary
Artificial intelligence is transforming the European military aviation industry. It is now involved in radar data analysis, electronic warfare, combat drone coordination, and decision support for pilots.
Ten companies occupy a particularly strategic position: Thales, Dassault Aviation, Airbus Defence and Space, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Saab, HENSOLDT, Helsing, MBDA, and Indra. Some manufacture aircraft. Others develop the sensors, software, and intelligent weaponry required for collaborative combat.
The sector is benefiting from significant growth, driven by European rearmament and next-generation aeronautical programs. Saab notably tested an AI piloting a Gripen E, while Dassault flew two algorithms on the Rafale in September 2026.
However, maturity levels vary considerably. Between demonstrators, military contracts, and truly operational systems, upcoming fiscal years will determine which defense firms will convert their innovations into combat capabilities.
The European Military AI Market Now Extends Beyond Aircraft Manufacturers Alone
Artificial intelligence applied to air combat is not limited to autonomous drones. It makes it possible to fuse information from multiple sensors, recognize threats, adapt missions, and coordinate different platforms.
The ten selected companies stand out for their technologies, their role in military programs, and their industrial capacity. This is not a ranking by revenue, as defense groups generally do not publish their AI-specific earnings.
Major Aeronautical Companies Integrate AI into Their Combat Systems
Thales Dominates Intelligent Sensors and Decision Support
Thales holds a central position thanks to its radars, electronic warfare equipment, and its cortAIx accelerator, which counted 800 AI specialists at the end of 2025.
In September 2026, Thales and Dassault announced a flight test of a sovereign algorithm on the Rafale. The group is also developing automated image analysis for the TALIOS pod.
Its revenue grew by 7.6% in 2025, reaching 22.1 billion euros. Its next step will be to industrialize these algorithms for embedded systems while guaranteeing their security and certification.
Aircraft Manufacturer Dassault Aviation Masters AI Integration into Fighters
Dassault Aviation stands out through its role as architect of French combat systems.
The manufacturer tested two sovereign algorithms on the Dassault Rafale in September 2026. It is also preparing the Rafale F5, collaborative combat, and a future stealth drone.
In 2025, its sales reached 7.42 billion euros, compared to 6.23 billion in 2024. Its order book included 220 Rafales.
The challenge will be to integrate drone autonomy without stripping pilots of control over critical military decisions.
Airbus Defence and Space Develops Wingman Drones and Connected Combat
Airbus is working on architectures combining piloted aircraft, drones, and tactical networks.
In 2026, it presented its strategy for collaborative drones intended to accompany the Eurofighter Typhoon. The group aims for an initial capability around the U740 Valkyrie in 2029, followed by the U760 Ravenstorm in the early 2030s.
Airbus Defence and Space generated 13.4 billion euros in revenue in 2025, representing an 11% increase.
Its challenge will be mastering software and military communications while reducing dependence on non-European technologies.
BAE Systems Prepares the Intelligence of the Future GCAP Fighter
BAE Systems leads the British industrial contribution to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), developed alongside Italy and Japan.
AI is expected to contribute to data fusion, mission management, and cooperation with drones.
In July 2026, London awarded the company a contract extension of 708 million pounds sterling to develop British technologies for the future system.
The group’s sales reached 30.7 billion pounds in 2025, up 10% at constant exchange rates. The primary upcoming milestone remains the target for GCAP entry into service in 2035.
Leonardo Group Builds Defense Architectures Integrating AI
Italy’s Leonardo is developing electronic systems for GCAP and multidomain command solutions.
Its Michelangelo Dome project combines radars, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and interception systems to coordinate air defense.
Leonardo estimates that this architecture could generate 21 billion euros in commercial opportunities over ten years. This figure does not represent an established order book.
With 19.5 billion euros in revenue in 2025, up 11%, the group targets 30 billion by 2030. Initial operational validations of the Michelangelo Dome will be decisive.
Manufacturer Saab Holds an Advantage in Airborne AI Testing
Saab crossed a major milestone with Project Beyond. In May and June 2025, its Gripen E performed three flights integrating Centaur, the AI agent developed by Helsing.
The software executed beyond-visual-range air combat maneuvers while keeping a pilot onboard the aircraft.
Saab is also developing the Arexis electronic warfare suite, which incorporates AI technologies.
Its sales reached 79.1 billion Swedish kronor in 2025, a 24% increase. In the third quarter of 2026, its organic growth reached 30.6%. Upcoming tests will need to demonstrate the robustness of these functions in more complex scenarios.
Software, Sensor, and Armament Specialists Gain Influence
HENSOLDT Group Transforms Radar Data into Tactical Information
Germany’s HENSOLDT specializes in radars, optronics, and electronic warfare.
In February 2026, it concluded a partnership with Helsing to equip the CA-1 Europa autonomous drone. Its sensors and its MDOcore software are designed to enable data fusion and mission coordination.
Its revenue grew by approximately 10% in 2025 to 2.46 billion euros. Orders surged by 62% to 4.71 billion.
Upcoming demonstrations of the CA-1 will determine HENSOLDT’s ability to expand its operations from traditional sensors to autonomous systems.
Helsing Establishes Itself in Autonomous Combat Software
Founded in Germany in 2021, Helsing represents the new generation of European defense firms.
Its Centaur software has already been tested on the Gripen E. The company is also developing the CA-1 Europa, a 3-to-5-ton autonomous combat drone, as well as an electronic attack variant.
In July 2026, Helsing raised 1.8 billion dollars, bringing its reported valuation to 18 billion dollars.
It targets a first flight of the CA-1 in early 2027 and an initial operational capability for the attack version in 2029. Its main challenge will be turning its software and demonstrators into reliable military production runs.
Missile Manufacturer MBDA Develops Collective Weapon Intelligence
MBDA applies AI to missiles and collaborative effectors rather than fighter aircraft design.
Its Orchestrike program aims to coordinate multiple SPEAR missiles. Algorithms are designed to allow the weapons to adapt their behavior to evolving threats under human supervision.
The company recorded 5.8 billion euros in revenue and 13.2 billion in orders in 2025. It plans 5 billion euros in industrial investments between 2026 and 2030.
The challenge will be moving Orchestrike from demonstrations to qualified capabilities usable in real-world air operations.
Indra Group Develops the Combat Cloud and Spanish Sovereign AI
Indra holds a strategic position in Spanish electronic systems and European air combat programs.
Its NIMBUS architecture connects sensors, platforms, and command centers. In September 2026, it was demonstrated during exercise REPMUS using air and naval assets.
Indra is also developing IndraMind, an artificial intelligence platform designed for critical operations.
Its revenue reached 5.46 billion euros in 2025, an increase of nearly 13%. The next step will be expanding the use of its software to large-scale, interoperable military systems.
The Real Industrial Advantage Will Be Decided on Technology Deployment
These ten companies are not pursuing the exact same objective. Dassault, Airbus, BAE Systems, and Saab are integrating AI into air platforms. Thales, Leonardo, HENSOLDT, and Indra are structuring sensors and networks. Helsing is developing software autonomy, while MBDA is transforming armaments.
Financial growth confirms government interest in these technologies, but a successful test does not constitute an operational capability.
The next industrial battle will focus on algorithm reliability, jamming resistance, critical software certification, and update costs.
Companies capable of rapidly deploying interoperable systems while preserving their clients’ technological sovereignty will enjoy a lasting advantage. This capability will determine Europe’s place in the next generation of fighter jets and combat drones.
Sources
- Thales, 2025 Universal Registration Document and 2025 Annual Results, published in 2026.
- Dassault Aviation, “New Artificial Intelligence Flies Aboard Dassault Aviation’s Rafale”, September 22, 2026.
- Dassault Aviation, “2025 Annual Results”, March 4, 2026.
- Airbus, “Airbus Reports Full-Year 2025 Results”, February 19, 2026.
- Airbus, “Everything You Need to Know About Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft”, May 5, 2026.
- BAE Systems, “2025 Full Year Results”, February 18, 2026.
- BAE Systems, “New £708m Investment in the UK’s Next-Generation Combat Air Capabilities”, July 22, 2026.
- Leonardo, “Leonardo Industrial Plan Update 2026–2030”, March 12, 2026.
- Saab, “Saab Achieves AI Milestone with Gripen E”, June 11, 2025.
- Saab, “Saab Q3 Results 2026: Positioned to Capture Growing Demand”, October 23, 2026.
- HENSOLDT, “Financial Year 2025: HENSOLDT Achieves Record Order Intake”, February 26, 2026.
- Helsing and HENSOLDT, “HENSOLDT and Helsing Join Forces for Autonomous Combat Aircraft CA-1 Europa”, February 12, 2026.
- Helsing, “Helsing Introduces the CA-1 Electronic Attack”, June 10, 2026.
- Reuters, “Europe’s Helsing Raises $1.8 Billion, Valuing Defence Group at $18 Billion”, July 13, 2026.
- MBDA, “Orchestrike: MBDA Accelerates Deployment of AI for SPEAR Cruise Missiles”, July 18, 2024.
- MBDA, “MBDA: Stepping Up to a New Strategic Dimension”, 2025 results published in 2026.
- Indra Group, “Indra Demonstrates the Potential of the Combat Cloud in the Naval Domain During NATO’s REPMUS 2026 Exercise”, September 29, 2026.
- Indra Group, 2025 Financial Results, February 2026.