French billionaire politician Olivier Dassault dies in chopper crash

Updated : March 08, 2021 02:39 PM IST

His grandfather, Marcel Dassault, was the founder of the French aircraft manufacturing giant Dassault Aviation

The group makes warplanes including the much renowned Rafale

French billionaire politician Olivier Dassault — the grandson of Marcel Dassault, founder of the French aircraft manufacturing giant Dassault Aviation — died on Sunday in a tragic helicopter crash. Dassault was 69. Emmanuel Macron, French President, expressed his condolences soon after the news broke.

He tweeted a message in French, which translates to: “Olivier Dassault loved France. Captain of industry, deputy, local elected official, reserve commander in the air force: during his life, he never ceased to serve our country, to value its assets. His sudden death is a great loss. Thoughts on his family and loved ones.”

https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1368625180562624516

Dassault's chopper crashed in the northern French town of Touques, in the Normandy region. The pilot also died in the crash.

He was the president of the development and strategy of the family-owned aerospace and software corporation Dassault Aviation Group.

The group makes warplanes including the much renowned Rafale and business and military jets. In 2002, Olivier Dassault was elected to France's lower house of parliament - National Assembly. He represented the Oise area of northern France. He was assessed to be the 361st richest man in the world.

Engaged in the New Generation Fighter designed within the joint European program FCAS (Future Combat Air System), Dassault designed and built the Rafale multirole fighter, proficient in handling all types of missions for both air forces and naval air arms. Apart from this, it also designed the nEUROn combat drone.

They also possess the Falcon family of business jets in their arsenal. The Dassault family is known to have one of the greatest fortunes in France. In terms of ownership, Dassault Group holds Dassault Aviation, an international manufacturer of military and business jets along with Group Figaro, a French media conglomerate.

Many of Dassault's colleagues on the political right also paid tribute to him.

Published : March 08, 2021 02:39 PM IST

French billionaire politician Olivier Dassault dies in chopper crash

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