Jean-Brice Dumont will become MBDA‘s new Chief Executive Officer, from 1 November 2026, succeeding Eric Béranger who has led the Group since 2019. A handover process will start in October to ensure a seamless transition.
Jean-Brice Dumont comes with extensive international experience in the aerospace and defence industry, having served successively over the last 14 years in the executive committees of Airbus Helicopters, Airbus Commercial, and Airbus Group as Head of Engineering. He has been leading Military Air Systems and Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space for 5 years, based in Spain. Throughout his career, Jean-Brice Dumont has focused on large international programmes such as Tiger, NH90 and H160/HIL, as well as the range of Airbus commercial programmes, particularly with the A321XLR and A350F launches. Over the last 5 years, he has focused on the resilience of key programmes such as the A400M, while modernising the existing fleet of Eurofighter, A330 MRTT and C295 alongside with an industrial ramp-up. He has actively driven preparation for the future with next generation programmes in all segments (drones, mission, transport, combat).
Under Eric Béranger’s tenure, MBDA went through seven years of transformation and expansion. Since 2019, the group has stepped up to a new strategic dimension. The group has grown from a circa €3Bn company with 12,000 people and a €18Bn order book to an almost €6Bn company with 22,000 people and a €44Bn order book, which keeps growing. MBDA has proven itself a key player in the European rearmament by ramping up its production – which doubled between 2023 and 2025 – while reducing production cycles, thanks to a massive investment plan which is still expanding. MBDA has also reshaped its portfolio to provide European armed forces and their allies with sovereign solutions, adapted to today and tomorrow’s threats.
Jean-Brice Dumont
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
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
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.”
