Drone production lines in exchange for combat experience: French automotive industry is coming to Ukraine
A major French automotive company has agreed to set up drone production lines in Ukraine for the needs of two armies.
French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu told LCI that the unnamed was chosen for its ability to organize mass production.
Companies from the French defense industry will also be involved in the process.
“A large French automotive company, whose name I am not disclosing yet, will cooperate with one of the French small or medium-sized defense companies to start producing drones in Ukraine,” Lecornu said.
The new drones will also be supplied to the French military.
“Ukrainians should share with us what we call tactical experience on the front line. Because everything is changing very quickly, and they can teach us what it really looks like,” the minister said.
It is also about experience in electronic warfare and other types of operations, so that the French army can acquire practice that meets modern conditions.
“In fact, there are already companies associated with French businesses operating in Ukraine. There are already enterprises that can cooperate with large French corporations. That is, there is no need to specifically “invite” the French,” added Sébastien Lecornu.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umierov discussed with Lecornu the participation of French companies in the production of drones.
“Ukraine is ready to provide this opportunity to the best manufacturers: we have combat experience, France has a powerful industry. This is a mutually beneficial partnership,” Rustem Umierov emphasized.
During the talks, the parties also discussed the joint production of air defense systems and other weapons both in Ukraine and France.
In February, it was reported that the French government is engaging civilian industry to adapt production facilities to quickly fulfill massive military orders.
Then it became known that one of the representatives of the French automotive industry was asked to set up the production of kamikaze drones similar to those used in Ukraine.
The main goal of the French Ministry of Armed Forces and the defense procurement agency is to reach a level at which it will be possible to produce several thousand drones in a few months.
It is possible that this refers to Renault, which manufactures the Renault Sherpa 5 chassis for the CAESAR self-propelled artillery systems used in Ukraine.
