Renault to Produce Long-Range Drones for Ukraine With Turgis Gaillard – FT

French automaker Renault will produce long-range drones for Ukraine in cooperation with defense company Turgis Gaillard.

The Financial Times reported this.

According to the report, the French Ministry of Defense supports the initiative as part of efforts to help Kyiv counter Russian aggression.

Renault stated that it would work with Turgis Gaillard to manufacture drones at two of its factories.

At the same time, the company declined to comment on the value of the contract or the number of drones to be produced.

The agreement was reportedly reached after a request last year by the French government for automotive and defense companies to cooperate on establishing drone production lines.

According to industry publication L’Usine Nouvelle, Renault will manufacture the drones at its facilities in Le Mans and Cléon.

The unmanned aerial vehicles, codenamed Chorus, are expected to be used for both reconnaissance and long-range strike missions.

The publication notes that the project could pave the way for a 10-year contract with the French Ministry of Defense. While the scope of the program has not been disclosed, its total value could reach EUR 1 billion.

In mid-2025, Renault received a proposal from the French government to reorient part of its production capacity toward the manufacture of military drones.

However, some employees opposed the move, arguing that they were employed to build civilian vehicles rather than weapons.

Last year, reports also said Renault was considering expanding drone production in Ukraine.