MBDA has announced the appointment of Jean-Brice Dumont as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Eric Béranger following a seven-year tenure marked by significant growth and transformation. A transition period will begin in October to ensure a smooth handover.
Dumont brings more than 14 years of senior leadership experience within Airbus, having served on multiple executive committees across Airbus Helicopters, Airbus Commercial and Airbus Group. Most recently, he led Military Air Systems and Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, where he oversaw key programmes and strategic initiatives from Spain.
Throughout his career, Dumont has played a central role in major international programmes, including Tiger, NH90 and H160/HIL, as well as Airbus commercial aircraft programmes such as the A321XLR and A350F. In recent years, he has focused on strengthening programme resilience, supporting industrial ramp-up and advancing next-generation capabilities across defence aviation, including drones, mission systems, transport and combat platforms.
He takes over leadership of MBDA at a time of sustained expansion. Under Eric Béranger’s tenure, the group has undergone significant transformation, growing from a circa €3 billion company with 12,000 employees and an €18 billion order book to an almost €6 billion organisation with 22,000 employees and a €44 billion order book. The company has also doubled production between 2023 and 2025, while reducing production cycles through continued industrial investment and portfolio evolution.
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, said: “Jean-Brice joins MBDA with an excellent track-record and we wish him a very warm welcome. Eric will handover the helm of the Group with the trust of its customers, an historical 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.”
Eric Béranger said: “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 historical 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.”
With this leadership transition, MBDA is set to continue its strategic trajectory, reinforcing its role as a key provider of advanced defence capabilities for Europe and its allies while building on a strong foundation of growth, innovation and industrial expansion.
