Renault Expands Drone Production with Thales Partnership

A Strategic Leap into Military Drone Production

Renault is gearing up to manufacture the Toutatis loitering drone at one of its factories, with ambitions to produce 1,000 units per month by next year. The initiative was unveiled at the Eurosatory defence fair near Paris, marking a significant expansion of Renault’s collaboration with Thales—a partnership previously focused on military vehicles. While France bolsters its strategic manufacturing base, the primary target remains overseas buyers.

Battlefield-Proven Design

The Toutatis drone, capable of hovering over a target before detonating, has already demonstrated its effectiveness in the Ukraine conflict. According to Thales’ CEO, the decision to scale production stemmed from real-world battlefield needs, particularly in eastern conflict zones. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and shifting U.S. defence policies, European nations are ramping up military budgets, leading them to repurpose automotive production lines for defence applications.

Revolutionizing Drone Manufacturing

Renault’s expertise in mass production is expected to accelerate drone manufacturing while drastically reducing costs. Key innovations include:

• Replacing 3D printing with large-scale plastic injection moulding
• Redesigning the drone to cut 40% of its components
• Streamlining assembly processes

Currently, Thales produces around 100 units annually—but the new method could dramatically increase output.

Competitive Edge in the Loitering Munitions Market

When compared to rivals like KNDS’ Damocles or MBDA’s Akeron RCX 50, Thales’ CEO described the Toutatis as “super competitive.” However, France has no immediate plans to acquire large quantities—export remains the priority.

Expanding Renault’s Military Portfolio

This project aligns with Renault’s Chorus programme, developed in partnership with Turgis Gaillard to create a long-range drone. A prototype is expected by year-end, with 600 units per month slated for production at the Le Mans plant.

While automotive manufacturing remains Renault’s core, the company is also venturing into ground drones, collaborating with Belgian firm John Cockerill—which acquired French vehicle maker Arquus from Volvo in 2024.