Arms Production Expansion: Sébastien Lecornu Declares French Businesses to Manufacture Drones in Ukraine
In a swift turn of events, drones - the bane of modern warfare - have taken center stage in the Russian-Ukraine conflict. Notably, the Ukrainian army's "spider web" operation on June 1st involved 117 drones targeting four Russian airfields. Moscow's retaliation resulted in numerous casualties and injuries, underscoring the lethal potential of these aerial marvels.
Enter the French-Ukrainian coalition, a game-changer in the realm of drone manufacturing. French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, declared on June 6th, that French automotive and defense sectors would join hands to manufacture drones on Ukrainian production lines. Though he didn't name the automotive company, he mentioned this as an extraordinary and favorable partnership.
Ukrainian Drones: A Savvy Solution
Though the specific drone type is yet to be revealed, Lecornu explained that these devices would cater to both Ukrainian and French forces' needs, offering unceasing tactical and operational training that mirrors the realities of the conflict. He further noted that there's no requirement for French citizens to travel to Ukraine for the production process, considering the Ukrainians' superior skills in drone conception and development strategies.
France, with a few thousand drones, lags behind in this competitive landscape. In stark contrast, Ukraine plans to employ more than 4.5 million drones this year, making up for 70% of the material destruction on the front. Consequently, the French military has expressed dissatisfaction with the system's sluggishness, noting the delay between expressing a need and receiving drone deliveries.
The French-Ukrainian Drone Boom: A Paradigm Shift
Preliminary reports suggest that French automaker Renault may spearhead this collaboration, partnering with small and medium-sized French defense firms to set up production facilities in Ukraine. Although Renault hasn't made a firm decision regarding the project as of yet, the drones produced are expected to be located a safe distance from the front line for operational feasibility.
This venture underscores a burgeoning trend of Western defense-industrial cooperation with Ukraine, with partnerships such as Thales International's joint venture with Ukrainian Defense Industry for air defense systems and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace's plans to produce NASAMS air defense missiles in Ukraine. As the dust settles on this newfound partnership, one can only imagine the future repercussions for the military landscape.
- The French-Ukrainian partnership, as symbolized by the production of drones, is set to redefine the tactics and operations of both French and Ukrainian forces, providing them with rigorous training that echoes the realities of war and conflicts.
- As France collaborates with Ukraine to enhance its drone production capabilities, there's a growing trend of Western defense industries partnering with the Ukrainian defense sector, potentially leading to significant shifts in the global military landscape.
