**Renault to Build Drones in Ukraine Near Front Line Zones**
The French automotive giant, Renault, has been chosen to produce drones in Ukraine. According to France Info, the production lines could be located just a few dozen or hundred kilometers from the front line.
This development comes as the EU is rearming and investing heavily in the defense industry. Drone warfare innovations have become a defining feature of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Unmanned vehicles operating in the air, on land, and at sea now play a central role, with both sides rapidly advancing their technologies.
**Renault to Partner with French SME**
France Info reported that Renault plans to enter the defense sector by partnering with a French Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) specializing in defense technology. The partnership aims to produce drones for use by both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the French military.
The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, initially disclosed the plan on 6 June without naming the company involved. He stated that a “major French car manufacturer” would produce drones in Ukraine.
**No Decision Made Yet**
Renault confirmed to France Info that it had been contacted by the French government about the drone production project but added that no decision has been made at this stage.
Lecornu emphasized Ukrainian expertise, stating that Ukrainians are better than the French at imagining and developing drones. He noted that there is currently no need for French workers to staff the production facilities in Ukraine.
**Drones for Ukraine and France**
The drones produced by Renault will be intended for use by both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the French military. France lags behind in drone capabilities, and this partnership is seen as an opportunity to benefit from Ukraine’s battlefield innovation and experience.
The project will begin with Renault joining small and medium-sized French defense businesses, followed by the establishment of production capacities on Ukrainian territory.
**French Military-Industrial Strategy Shifts**
This development aligns with earlier announcements about France planning to adapt its civilian industry to respond to large-scale military demands. The Ministry of Armed Forces and the French defense procurement agency reportedly aim to reach production speeds of several thousand drones within a few months.
As the EU rearms and invests heavily in the defense industry, this partnership between Renault and Ukraine marks a significant shift in France’s military-industrial strategy.
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