MBDA has appointed Jean-Brice Dumont as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 November 2026, succeeding Eric Béranger, who has led the company through a period of significant transformation and growth since 2019.
A formal handover process will begin in October to ensure a smooth leadership transition as MBDA prepares for its next phase of industrial expansion and technological development.
Dumont joins MBDA with more than three decades of experience in the aerospace and defence sector and an extensive leadership background within Airbus. Over the past 14 years, he has served on several Airbus executive committees, holding senior positions across Airbus Helicopters, Airbus Commercial Aircraft and Airbus Group Engineering. Most recently, he led Military Air Systems and Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, overseeing major military aviation programmes from the company’s operations in Spain.
Throughout his career, Dumont has played a key role in several flagship aerospace programmes, including the Tiger attack helicopter, NH90 multirole helicopter, H160/HIL, as well as commercial aircraft programmes such as the A321XLR and A350 Freighter. In recent years, he has focused on strengthening production resilience across Airbus Defence and Space, supporting industrial ramp-up for programmes including the A400M, Eurofighter, A330 MRTT, and C295, while also driving the development of next-generation defence capabilities spanning unmanned systems, transport aircraft, mission systems and future combat platforms.
For the aerospace aftermarket and defence MRO sector, Dumont’s appointment comes at a time when manufacturers are increasingly focused on improving production efficiency, fleet sustainment and lifecycle support capabilities amid rising global defence spending and growing demand for military readiness.
Under Eric Béranger‘s leadership, MBDA underwent one of the most significant expansion phases in its history. Since assuming the role in 2019, he has overseen the company’s transformation from a business generating approximately €3 billion in annual revenue with 12,000 employees and an €18 billion order backlog, to an organisation approaching €6 billion in annual revenue, employing 22,000 people and managing an order book valued at €44 billion.
The company has also significantly expanded its manufacturing capacity, doubling missile production between 2023 and 2025 while reducing production lead times through major investments in industrial infrastructure and manufacturing processes. The expansion has positioned MBDA as a critical supplier supporting Europe’s defence modernisation efforts while strengthening sovereign missile capabilities for allied nations.
Commenting on his appointment, Jean-Brice Dumont said: “I am honored to join MBDA at a moment where the Group stands at the center of the defence of Europe and its allies. I would like to warmly thank Eric for handing over a Group that has been deeply transformed, a Group stronger and ready for the challenges ahead. I am looking forward to meeting all MBDA people and pursuing the mission entrusted to me. We are facing unprecedented challenges and I am confident that together, with MBDA’s unique know-how, skills and innovative spirit, we will succeed on this journey.”
Simon Barnes, Chairman of MBDA, welcomed the appointment, highlighting Dumont’s extensive leadership experience and acknowledging Béranger’s contribution to the company’s transformation. “Jean-Brice joins MBDA with an excellent track record and we wish him a very warm welcome. Eric will hand over the helm of the Group with the trust of its customers, a historic order book, an industrial tool in full expansion, world-class technologies, a collaborative spirit, and above all MBDA’s people. Together with the MBDA Board, we wish Eric a promising new chapter and Jean-Brice full success in his new position,” Barnes said.
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Reflecting on his tenure, Eric Béranger thanked MBDA’s workforce for navigating a period of unprecedented geopolitical and industrial challenges. “I would first like to thank all the MBDA teams for their outstanding commitment. When I joined in 2019, none of us could have imagined what we would be faced with. We stepped up to every challenge and MBDA is now more essential than ever to global peace and security. During this historic time, serving MBDA and its customers has been my highest pride. I am confident that Jean-Brice will pursue MBDA’s transformation and build on MBDA’s unique model to meet the demands ahead,” he said.
As global defence programmes continue to accelerate, MBDA’s leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for the industry. With growing investments in missile production, next-generation defence technologies and industrial capacity expansion, the company is expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting military fleet sustainment, long-term lifecycle management and defence MRO capabilities across Europe and allied nations.
