Éric Trappier
Éric Trappier | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 6, 1960 Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Engineer, Business executive |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Known for | CEO of Dassault Aviation, Chairman of Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault |
Éric Trappier (born 6 January 1960) is a French engineer and business executive who has held the position of CEO at Dassault Aviation since January 2013, a principal company within the Dassault Group. In 2025, he took on the role of chairman at Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault, the family's holding entity.
Early life and career
Trappier was born in Paris and graduated with an engineering diploma from Telecom SudParis in 1983. He joined Dassault Aviation the following year, beginning a career centered on the defense sector. He advanced to become international sales manager in 2002 and then international general manager in 2006. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he served as the company’s international executive vice president. He took over leadership from Charles Edelstenne upon his retirement.
In May 2017, Trappier was named president of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe, followed by his appointment as chairman of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS) in June 2017.
He voiced dissatisfaction regarding the termination of a $2.5 billion multinational combat drone demonstrator project, which collapsed after six years of delays due to the UK withdrawing financial support. In March 2021, Trappier confirmed that Dassault’s FCAS initiative would not integrate with the British-Swedish-Italian Tempest program, openly criticizing Airbus for causing delays in FCAS. By June 2022, he urged political intervention among European partners to facilitate progress on FCAS development.
In December 2022, FCAS collaborators approved Phase 1B with €3.2 billion in funding. Throughout 2022, Dassault secured orders for 156 Rafale fighters, including 92 for export—more than half destined for the United Arab Emirates. Early in 2023, Trappier highlighted how sanctions related to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict had disrupted European supply chains for raw materials and energy.
In March 2023, he asserted that Dassault should lead the FCAS program instead of Airbus. Despite ongoing FCAS commitments, by May 2023 Dassault proceeded with developing an advanced Rafale fighter variant.
Trappier publicly criticized the European Commission in May 2023 for excluding business jets from sustainable investment classifications, advocating for sustainable aviation fuel as an effective alternative.
In January 2025, he succeeded Edelstenne as chairman of Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault, managing the family's corporate interests.
Roles within the group
- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation.
External roles
Eric Trappier additionally holds:
- President and board member of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS – Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales)
- Chairman of CIDEF (Council of French Defense Industries – Conseil des Industries de Défense Françaises)
- Board member at Thales Group
- Board member at GIE Rafale International
- Board member at ODAS, SOFEMA, and Eurotradia
- President of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe