**France Seeks to Boost Defense Cooperation with Ukraine**
In a significant move, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has expressed his country’s eagerness to establish joint production with Ukrainian defense companies, particularly in the area of drone manufacturing. Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on July 21, Barrot highlighted the interest from both sides to speed up cooperation and launch joint production of weapons and drones in Ukraine.
The French minister noted that representatives from 80 French defense companies had visited Ukraine last week, holding around 200 meetings with their Ukrainian counterparts. This large-scale engagement reflects the shared intention to accelerate cooperation and launch joint production in Ukraine. The focus on drone manufacturing is a crucial aspect of this push for joint production, as it can significantly enhance the capabilities of both Ukrainian and French military forces.
**Renault Joins Forces to Launch Drone Production**
This move follows recent reports of specific initiatives already underway. In June, France Info revealed that French automaker Renault plans to launch drone production in Ukraine, partnering with a small and medium-sized defense enterprise. The collaboration involves equipping production lines on Ukrainian territory, with the drones intended for use by both Ukrainian and French military forces. This crossover between the automotive and defense sectors marks a significant development.
While the French Defense Ministry declined to comment specifically on Renault’s involvement, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed that a major French car manufacturer would indeed join forces with a defense SME to launch drone production in Ukraine. Speaking to Le Monde, Lecornu hailed the project as an “unprecedented partnership.”
**Ukrainians to Handle Assembly and Expertise**
The drone production is planned to occur away from front-line areas, though the exact locations remain undisclosed. Defense Minister Lecornu emphasized that Ukrainians would handle the assembly, acknowledging their strong expertise in drone development and combat deployment strategies.
This push for joint production between France and Ukraine highlights a growing trend of international cooperation in defense and aerospace industries. As conflicts continue to shape global politics, nations are increasingly seeking to collaborate on defense projects to enhance their capabilities. The French Foreign Minister’s comments reflect this shift, underscoring the shared intention to speed up cooperation and launch joint production in Ukraine.
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