Dumont joins MBDA after more than 14 years on Airbus executive committees, including roles at Airbus Helicopters, Airbus Commercial and Airbus Group as Head of Engineering. For the past five years, he has led Military Air Systems and Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space from Spain.
His career has included work on major international aerospace and defence programmes, including Tiger, NH90 and H160/HIL. He also worked across Airbus commercial programmes, including the A321XLR and A350F launches.
Over the past five years, Dumont has focused on strengthening key programmes including the A400M. MBDA said he has also worked on modernising the Eurofighter, A330 MRTT and C295 fleets while supporting industrial ramp-up and preparing next-generation programmes in drones, mission systems, transport and combat aviation.
“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,” Jean-Brice Dumont said.
Béranger has led MBDA since 2019, a period in which the company expanded significantly as European defence demand increased. MBDA said the group grew from about €3 billion in revenue, 12,000 employees and an €18 billion order book to almost €6 billion in revenue, 22,000 employees and a €44 billion order book.
The company said it has become a key player in European rearmament by increasing production and reshaping its portfolio for current and future threats. Production doubled between 2023 and 2025, while MBDA reduced production cycles through a large investment plan that is still expanding.
“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,” said Simon Barnes, Chairman of MBDA.
Béranger said MBDA had faced challenges that could not have been foreseen when he took over in 2019. He said the company is now more important than ever to global peace and security.
“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,” Eric Béranger said.
MBDA said Dumont will continue the company’s transformation and build on its multinational European model. The group is owned by Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo, and describes itself as the only European company able to design and manufacture complex weapons for land, sea and air requirements.
The company has more than 20,000 employees and supports the sovereignty of its nations and allied countries worldwide. MBDA said its role is focused on complex weapon systems and the protection of nations through international cooperation and industrial innovation.
