France Approaches Renault on Drone Production
France's defense ministry has approached Renault with a view to
helping to manufacture drones, the automaker said on Sunday, after the
ministry last week floated the idea French companies could help with
production in Ukraine.
"We have been contacted by the defense ministry about the possibility
of producing drones. Discussions have taken place, but no decision has
been taken at this stage, as we are awaiting further details on this
project from the ministry," Renault said in a statement to Reuters.
Earlier on Sunday, French news website Franceinfo reported the French carmaker was expected to produce drones in Ukraine.
Asked about the report, the ministry told Reuters it was up to the
carmaker, without naming it, to say whether it would participate.
Also without naming any companies, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu
told French news channel LCI on Friday that France would set up a
partnership between a major French carmaker and a small defense firm to
equip production lines in Ukraine for building drones.
Drones have played a significant role in Ukraine’s defense since
Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, providing
surveillance and strike capabilities that have shaped battlefield
tactics against Russian forces.
