Harmattan AI Secures $200M Series B, Becomes Defense Unicorn
French defense tech company Harmattan AI has reached a $1.4 billion valuation after a $200 million Series B funding round led by Dassault Aviation, the maker of the Rafale fighter jet. The rapid growth for the 2024 startup signals a shift in the defense industry, spurred by lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
Harmattan AI develops autonomy and mission-system software for defense aircraft. In it’s short history, the company has already secured backing from the French and British ministries of defense.
Initially, Harmattan AI aimed to disrupt established defense contractors, often called “primes.” Now, the company is open to partnerships wiht those same incumbents, even adjusting its self-description from “a next-generation defense prime” to simply a “defense technology company.”
The new funding will allow Harmattan AI to collaborate with Dassault Aviation on embedding artificial intelligence into future Rafale fighter jets and drones, with a focus on sovereign and scalable solutions. The company announced the funding on its blog earlier today.
The increasing use of drones in Ukraine has highlighted the need for advanced defense technologies. Harmattan AI recently partnered with Russian drone maker Skyeton and plans to use the funding to expand its product line.