All these programs have ensured the development of the excellence of the company and have paved the way for many successful challenges: the export of the Rafale fighter, the first demonstrator of European combat drone nEUROn or the widening of the range of Falcon business aircraft with the introduction of 7X, 8X and since last February, the 6X.

Under his leadership, and with the help of Charles Edelstenne, he restructured and modernized the industrial tool while maintaining the social model of the company. In fact, as a conciliation man, Serge Dassault ensured that each employee could benefit from the efforts made by distributing each year a share of the profits which went far beyond what French law provides for.

In 1975, after having been Treasurer of the Union Syndicale des Industries Aeronautiques et Spatiales (USIAS), which later became the French Aeronautics and Space Industries Group (GIFAS), Serge Dassault was appointed General Commissioner of the Paris-Le Bourget Air Show. In this capacity, he successfully coordinated the organization of ten Paris air shows.

President of GIFAS from 1993 to 1997, he was president of the French Council of Defense Industries (CIDEF) between 1994 and 1996, and vice-president of the European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA) from 1994 to 1997.

In 1998, he was elected Aerospace Manufacturer of the Year at the awards ceremony of the American magazine Aviation Week & Space Technology.

Armament Chief Engineer (reserve corps), graduate from the Business Development Center and former auditor of the Institute of Advanced National Defense Studies (IHEDN), Serge Dassault also received the Medal of Aeronautics and is a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor.

For Dassault Aviation employees, Serge Dassault will remain “a man passionate about aeronautics with a human vision of entrepreneurship and relentless support as a majority stakeholder in the company’s strategy”.

For Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation “Serge Dassault has dedicated his life to aeronautics and French industry. He defended Dassault Aviation and his employees with passion and determination, with the sole ambition of ensuring the long-term viability of French wings.