Renault was asked by the French government to make drones in Ukraine

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The French government Renault requested the manufacture of drones in Ukraine, as uninhabited aircraft systems became a major column for Kiev’s challenge to the military aggression in Moscow.

The French car maker will cooperate with a small drone specialist to produce drones under plans, in the first step by French weapons manufacturing companies on Ukrainian soil.

The Minister of Defense in France, Sebastian Lecorno, told Broadcaster LCI on Friday evening that the country’s car and defense companies will work together to create production lines in “completely unprecedented partnership” to provide Ukrainian forces with drones.

Renault On Sunday night, he confirmed that he was contacted by the Ministry of Armed Forces in France.

“Discussions have been taken, no decision is taken at this stage because we are awaiting the details of this project from the ministry,” Renault said.

This step will witness the first time that the auto maker has made defense equipment since World War II, when the R35 tanks were used in vain against the German Panzers in the battle of France.

The initiative comes at a time when drones have become a major pillar of Ukraine’s military strategy. They were the key to the past week Attack on Russian military airports Thousands of kilometers from Kiev, in a sign of how drone technology helped convert military tactics.

In the past few years, the front aircraft have taken control of the Ukrainian front line, and will help French production lines to enhance equipment manufacturing. Lecorno said the desire in the United States to secede Ukraine It has created a “moment of awakening” as European countries will need to provide more “strong” security guarantees for the country.

KYIV pushed Western companies to invest in the country’s defense industries and created joint projects with local weapons manufacturers. CEO Armin Babbarger said in February during the Munich Security Conference, that the German arms contractor Renmate is building an ammunition factory in Ukraine, which is scheduled to start production next year. The company was already in Ukraine, and it managed a foreign -made military equipment facility.

Kyiv said she attracted more than 40 foreign defense companies to Ukraine. In February, the Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, Hermann Samitan, announced that the French Thales Air and Defense Group has signed an agreement to establish a joint venture with the Ukrainian -owned Ukrainian Defense Group.

Simitanin said at the time that JV will specialize in technological solutions to enhance air defense, radars, electronic warfare and tactical communications.

Lecorno said last week that the move of French companies to produce drones in Ukraine will be a “profitable situation for both sides” that would also benefit the French army through “tactical and operational training that is linked to the reality of this front line.”

Lecorno added that local workers will operate the lines in Ukraine and companies will not need to send French workers there. It is not clear the type of drone that will be manufactured by Renault if the plans are confirmed.

The French initiative comes at a time when the wealth of auto and defense industries in Europe is diverged. Arms makers have seen orders to rise as the continent increased from defensive spending, while the auto sector struggled with the transformation from traditional engines to electric cars as well as from Chinese competition.

In Germany, the Hensoldt defense contractor offered the recruitment of individual workers from car spare parts under pressure, while Rheinmetall said it is interested in obtaining Volkswagen car factories.