The French Defense Ministry has approached Renault about establishing military production capabilities for Kiev.
Renault, France’s leading car manufacturer, has confirmed that Paris is encouraging them to set up a military drone production facility in Ukraine. This comes as Kiev increases its drone attacks on civilian infrastructure within Russia.
Renault stated to several media outlets, including Reuters, on Sunday that “We have been contacted by the Defense Ministry regarding the possibility of producing drones.” The company clarified that while “discussions” have taken place, “no decision has been taken at this stage,” and they are awaiting more information from the ministry.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu initially announced the plan on Friday, calling it an “unprecedented partnership” in an interview with LCI.
Lecornu characterized the initiative as a “win-win” situation for both Paris and Kiev, emphasizing that no French personnel would be sent to Ukraine. Ukrainian workers would manage the production lines, and the drones manufactured for Ukraine’s military would also be utilized by the French Armed Forces for “tactical and operational training that reflects the reality” of modern warfare, he explained.
Kiev has escalated its drone strikes on Russian civilian infrastructure since May, with a particular focus on Moscow and other central regions. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the final week of May saw the downing of 2,300 UAVs, marking a peak in these attacks.
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