Renault factories in France will start producing drones for Ukraine
French automaker Renault will begin producing drones for Ukraine at its factories in France.
This is reported by the Financial Times.
According to the publication, Renault has signed an agreement with the French defense company Turgis Gaillard. As part of a project by the French Ministry of Defense, two of the concern’s enterprises will establish the production of drones for military assistance to Ukraine.
Renault CEO Fabrice Kamboliv said that the company joined the project at the request of the state.
“We were approached because of our experience. The project is being implemented, it is coordinated by the Ministry of Defense. We confirm our participation at the request of the state,” Kamboliv noted.
He did not specify which drones would be produced. The Financial Times recalls that in June the French government approached automotive and defense companies with a proposal to cooperate in the production of drones.
Turgis Gaillard, founded in 2011, is developing the AAROK long-range drone, which has a wingspan of 22 meters, can stay airborne for over 20 hours, and can carry a significant payload.
According to French newspaper La Tribune, Renault and Turgis Gaillard are also considering launching production of a tactical drone with a wingspan of around 10 meters. Production volumes could reach 600 units per month by the end of the first year of operation.
It was previously reported that Ukraine is preparing to deploy a new air defense system based on artificial intelligence, which should strengthen the protection of cities from Russian attacks.