The French Ministry of Defense has approached Renault, the country’s largest automaker, with a proposal to support drone manufacturing, potentially to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities, Renault confirmed in a statement on Sunday.
The carmaker acknowledged discussions had taken place but emphasized that no final decision has been reached. “We are awaiting further details on this project from the ministry,” Renault said.
The development follows comments made last week by Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who revealed plans to establish a partnership between a major French automaker and a small defense firm.
Though he did not name Renault specifically, Franceinfo reported earlier Sunday that the carmaker is expected to participate in the initiative, citing unnamed sources.
The goal, Lecornu said, is to equip Ukrainian production lines to manufacture drones, a strategic move to strengthen Ukraine’s domestic defense industry amid the ongoing war with Russia.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, drones have become critical tools for Ukrainian forces, aiding both in surveillance and precision strikes.
As demand for unmanned systems rises, European nations are increasingly looking for innovative partnerships to scale production and logistics support.
The potential entry of Renault into the defense sector represents a significant pivot for the automotive giant, aligning with France’s broader push for industrial contributions to Ukraine’s war effort.
For now, Renault says it will await official direction from the Ministry of Defense before committing to any role in the program.
