Renault Explores Drone Production in Ukraine Amid Growing Military Needs

French car manufacturer Renault announced on Sunday that the government had approached them regarding the possibility of producing drones in Ukraine, though no decision has been reached yet.

A spokesperson for Renault informed AFP, «We have received inquiries from the defense ministry. Discussions have taken place; however, a decision has not been made at this point as we are awaiting further details regarding the project from the ministry.»

Earlier, a report from Franceinfo, which did not specify its sources, claimed that Renault planned to establish drone manufacturing facilities “dozens or hundreds of kilometers away from the front lines.”

Drones play a crucial role in Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces. On June 1, the country launched over 100 drones to target Russian military aircraft deep within Russian borders during an operation dubbed “Spider’s Web.”

The announcement about Renault’s potential drone production in Ukraine followed a statement from French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who revealed that a “major French automobile company” was set to collaborate with a French defense firm to create production capabilities in Ukraine for drone manufacturing.

Lecornu emphasized that while the drones would serve the Ukrainian military, they would also provide opportunities for French weaponry to undergo regular tactical and operational training in real-world contexts. He mentioned that the Ukrainian military has demonstrated superior skills in drone usage and development compared to their French counterparts.

The French government owns a 15% share in Renault.