Renault Military Drone Production: France is turning to its large car industry as it tries to make more military drones. Renault is now using its experience in factories and mass production to help build defence equipment at a lower cost. The company is working with defence firms including Thales and Turgis Gaillard.
Renault plans much bigger drone production
Renault and Thales are preparing to make Toutatis loitering munitions in much larger numbers. Production is expected to reach 1,000 drones every month from 2027. That would be around 100 times more than the earlier production level.
Renault engineers studied drones made by different companies and found that many were too complicated for large-scale factory production. The team looked for simpler ways to build them. Some materials and manufacturing methods were also changed so the drones could be made faster.
DRDO-CSIR Develop New Lightweight Bulletproof Glass For Indian Armoured Vehicles
The redesigned Toutatis model has 20% fewer parts and 40% fewer fixations such as screws. Renault believes its experience with supply chains and high-volume production can help bring down the cost of military drones.
The company is also working with Turgis Gaillard on a bigger system called Chorus. It is being developed as a long-range weapon. The French defence procurement agency says the drone could cost around €100,000 per unit. That is far below the roughly €1 million or more that similar systems can cost. The planned production rate is 600 drones a month.
Car Industry finds New Defence work
Renault isn’t the only vehicle company looking at defence. Groups such as General Motors, Volkswagen, Continental, Forvia, Valeo and Schaeffler are also exploring military work. Some companies are facing weak demand from regular car buyers and have factories that aren’t being used fully.
The growing use of drones in wars is also creating pressure to produce them in much larger numbers. Ukraine’s TAF Industries says it can now make more than 80,000 drones each month. Schaeffler and French drone company Delair are also building a production line that is planned to reach about 100 drones and interceptors per day by November 2026.
Estonia Accuses Russian Intelligence of Arson Attack on NATO Defence Company
European countries want factories that can quickly make and update drones instead of simply storing huge numbers of older systems. New software and battlefield needs can make older designs less useful.
Renault is still being careful about how far it moves into defence. The company wants projects where its factory skills can make a real difference. It is also working to lower electric vehicle costs and compete with Chinese car makers. Some Renault unions including the CGT have opposed the company’s move into defence. The Chorus programme has already received interest from Ukraine according to France’s defence procurement agency.
