An intense year for Dassault Aviation

Dassault Aviation has announced its financial results for 2017.
Time Aerospace thumbnail
2017 was an intense year for Dassault Aviation, with mainly two highlights: the signing of an agreement with Qatar to exercise the option for 12 additional Rafale (which will come into force upon receipt of the first down-payment) plus an agreement on a future cooperation (option for another 36 Rafale) and the initiation of the termination process of the Silvercrest contract leading to the end of the Falcon 5X program.
 
Éric Trappier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation said : “2017 was eventful in many ways, with the installation of new government and administration in France and the United States, the upheavals of Brexit, the will to relaunch a common European defense policy, tensions between the United States and Russia, conflicts in the Middle East and, in the economic field, the good health of the US economy in a context of a decrease of the euro/dollar rate and of oil prices instability”.
Given the remaining need of customers for an aircraft of the category of the Falcon 5X, Dassault Aviation has launched the Falcon 6X, featuring the same cross section as the 5X, with a range of 5,500 NM and powered by Pratt & Whitney PW812 engines; its entry into service is scheduled in 2022.
 
In addition to these major events, Eric trapier has pointed out in the military sector for MENA region, the delivery of 8 Rafale to Egypt (bringing up to 14 units Rafale’s fleet in service in this country), the support of the Mirage 2000 fleets in all countries, including main checks in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar and the United Arab Emirates’ intention to add new capabilities to their Mirage 2000-9. 
In the field of business aviation, Dassault Aviation has mentioned the recovery of the pre-owned aircraft market, but at low prices, in a very competitive new aircraft market environment, despite signs of recovery in North America at the end of the year. 2017 Falcon orders totaled EUR 2,401 million versus EUR 1,419 million in 2016. 41 Falcon were ordered (33 in 2016)and 3 Falcon 5X orders were cancelled  compared to 12 in 2016.
 
In 2018, the Group forecasts to deliver 40 Falcon, the company having reacted to the past years’ market weakness with a conservative management leading to a production rate ramp-down, and 12 Rafale (9 Export and 3 France). Net sales for 2018 should be close to 2017.
 
Vincent Chappard

Vincent Chappard

Vincent is an aerospace editor and consultant based in Paris.