France’s Renault Eyes Drone Production in Ukraine

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu recently revealed that a French carmaker was preparing to produce drones in Ukraine, which has now been revealed by local media as Renault.

Renault, traditionally known for its automotive production, has confirmed in a press release that it received a formal request from the French government regarding potential drone manufacturing. However, the company added that a final decision is still pending.

At the initial stage, Renault reportedly plans to collaborate with small and medium-sized French defense companies. The next step involves establishing production operations on Ukrainian territory.

The goal, as outlined by Lecornu, is to manufacture drones for both the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the French military. He also noted that other French defense-related companies are already active in Ukraine.

This initiative aligns with France’s broader strategy to mobilize civilian industries for military purposes. In early February, the French government announced efforts to adapt commercial production lines to handle large-scale defense contracts, particularly for systems like kamikaze drones used in Ukraine.

The French Ministry of Defense and the Defense Procurement Agency aim to scale up drone production to several thousand units within months. While Renault’s final involvement remains unconfirmed, current developments suggest the automaker may play a central role in these plans.