Renault has entered into a partnership with defense company Turgis Gaillard to produce long-range drones for Ukraine, according to the Financial Times.
The initiative benefits from the direct support of the French Ministry of Defense, which sees this project as a way to strengthen aid to Kyiv in the context of the conflict with Russia.
The French manufacturer has confirmed that it will use two of its factories, located in Le Mans and Cléon, to manufacture the unmanned aerial vehicles, known by the code name Chorus. Drones are expected to be used for both reconnaissance missions and long-range strikes, thereby expanding Ukrainian operational capabilities.
Although Renault has not communicated the value of the contract or production volumes, trade magazine L’Usine Nouvelle indicates that the initiative could evolve into a ten-year agreement with the French Ministry of Defense. The program, the scope of which remains confidential, could reach a total value estimated at up to $1.17 billion.
The decision to redirect part of the manufacturer’s production towards military uses stems from a request from the French government in 2025, which encouraged cooperation between the automotive and defense sectors. Internally, this measure has sparked resistance among some employees, who claim to have been hired to manufacture civilian vehicles. At the same time, reports indicate that Renault is also planning to expand drone production directly in Ukraine.
Source and images: Militarnyi | X @sentdefender | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
🇫🇷🇺🇦 Well, it is official! Renault is set to begin large-scale production of loitering munitions (kamikaze drones) for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/P0TTTcxN2a
— French Aid to Ukraine 🇨🇵 🇺🇦 (@aidefranceukr) January 19, 2026
Renault Group, the French multinational automobile manufacturer, is preparing to launch the production of long-range attack drones at its factories in Le Mans and Cléon, with cooperation from the aerospace and defense manufacturer Turgis et Gaillard Groupe.
Renault has stated… pic.twitter.com/quNcqklgl3
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 20, 2026
