France has approached Renault on drone production, carmaker says
France's defense ministry has approached Renault about the possibility of 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, Defense 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.
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