This article is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report part of Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), and is complimentary through Jun 23, 2026. For information on becoming an AWIN Member to access more content like this, click here.
Partners aim to scale up production of Thales’ Toutatis loitering munition.
The signing of a strategic partnership between French automaker Renault Group and the defense company Thales to boost manufacturing capacity of loitering munitions is the latest example of companies investing in domestic capacity to ensure a sovereign drone-making industry.
As part of the deal, announced at the Eurosatory show outside Paris on June 16, the two companies plan to jointly develop and scale up production of Thales’ Toutatis loitering munition.
“This strategic partnership combines Thales’ cutting-edge defense expertise with Renault Group’s industrial engineering and manufacturing capabilities to establish a sovereign, agile and competitive drone industry in France, fully aligned with the requirements of the wartime economy,” Thales says.
Through the partnership, production of the loitering munition could begin as early as 2027, with manufacturing capacity reaching 1,000 units per month in the first year, the company says.
The effort by two French companies to build sovereign loitering-munition manufacturing capacity comes as nations generally try to cut their reliance on uncrewed air vehicles (UAVs) and drone components manufactured in China, as well as try to reduce dependence on the U.S. military industrial base.
The vast number of first-person-view (FPV) quadcopters being used and consumed in the Russia-Ukraine War for reconnaissance and attack is changing how militaries view the small UAV type. But because China dominates the production of small UAVs and drone components, nations are attempting to build up domestic supply chains and manufacturing capacity.
In 2023, France ordered an undisclosed number of U.S.-made Switchblade 300 loitering munitions. The Switchblade 300 is a tube-launched loitering munition—more sophisticated than typical FPV attack drones—and comparable to Toutatis. However, in the past 18 months, shifts in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump have intensified European concerns about reliance on Washington for arms and accelerated efforts to expand domestic defense production.
For example, in December, German drone company Helsing and auto parts manufacturer Schaeffler signed a memorandum of understanding to increase drone manufacturing capacity.
In the U.S., the Pentagon is attempting to stimulate domestic drone production through its Drone Dominance program, which aims to purchase more than 200,000 low-cost drones by 2027. Some companies are also looking for ways to leverage the U.S. automotive supply chain. Michigan, home to major automakers and suppliers, has also launched advanced air mobility and prototyping programs intended to support drone manufacturing, testing and commercialization in the state.
Related Content
