European defense is getting a lot more attention these days. So is one of the biggest companies behind it.
MBDA Missile Systems, the joint venture that makes most of the missiles used by European militaries, just named a new CEO. Jean-Brice Dumont will take over on November 1, replacing Eric Béranger who has led the company since 2019.
The change signals something bigger than a corner-office shuffle.
Dumont spent his career at Airbus SE, one of MBDA's three parent companies. He runs the company's military air systems and air power divisions. That background matters because MBDA's missiles often pair with the fighter jets and helicopters Airbus builds.
MBDA is jointly owned by three European defense giants: Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, each with a stake. So the company is not exactly a secret. But it has operated somewhat quietly compared to the flashier arms makers.
That is changing fast.
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Béranger took MBDA's annual revenue to almost €6 billion during his seven-year run, roughly doubling its scale. The company said Dumont "has actively driven preparation" for next-generation programs, suggesting the board picked him specifically to keep the momentum going.
The growth under Béranger was not just about rising sales. It was about making a lot more stuff.
Last year, MBDA's missile production was double the 2023 level. For one specific product - the Aster interceptor, which shoots down incoming missiles and drones - production was five times higher over the same stretch.
The company also added 2,700 new employees during the expansion. And it is not slowing down.
MBDA plans to boost production another 40% this year alone. It also intends to invest €5 billion by 2030, doubling its investment plan.
The causes are clear: European governments are restocking arsenals and buying advanced weapons because of the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. MBDA makes the kind of missiles that have proven essential in both conflicts.
With conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East limiting the availability of US-produced missiles and interceptors, MBDA has grown more essential for building up Europe's defense.
Dumont previously contributed to major Airbus projects including the A400M transporter and the modernization of the Eurofighter fleet.
MBDA's rapid expansion reflects a broader shift in European security policy. With NATO allies pushing to increase defense spending and reduce reliance on non-European suppliers, companies like MBDA are positioned to capture a larger share of procurement budgets. The joint venture's product lineup - ranging from short-range air-defense missiles to long-range cruise missiles - covers many of the capabilities that militaries are now urgently replenishing.
The company's portfolio includes weapons such as the Brimstone and Storm Shadow missiles, which have been used extensively in Ukraine, as well as the Sea Viper naval air-defense system. This breadth of offerings makes MBDA a central pillar of efforts to rearm Europe without relying on foreign suppliers.
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