French companies are starting joint production of drones in Ukraine. This was stated by French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu on the air of the LCI . His words are quoted by Le Figaro .
According to the minister, a large French automotive company, whose name is not being disclosed at this time, will join the new project. It will join forces with small and medium-sized enterprises in the French defense sector to expand drone production at Ukrainian facilities.
"We are going to start an absolutely unprecedented partnership, in which a large French car company - I won't say its name, because it has to announce it - will join forces with French small and medium-sized defense businesses to equip production lines in Ukraine for the production of drones," Lecornu noted.
The main goal of the initiative is to provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with modern drones. At the same time, some of the drones will be sent to France to train its army, which is currently adapting to the new realities of combat operations.
"Kyiv will provide Paris with feedback on the combat use of drones, which will allow France to improve its military technologies," the minister added.
Lecornu stressed that French citizens will not participate in the implementation of the project: all production processes will be carried out by Ukrainian specialists. The Minister also recognized Ukraine's technological advantage in the field of UAV development, emphasizing that France is only beginning active modernization in this area.
“We are lagging behind due to a too slow drone supply system, but we have ambitions to fix this. Ukraine in this context is our natural and very experienced partner,” he emphasized.
This cooperation is a new stage in the defense integration of Ukraine and France, which can be an important step in strengthening the drone advantage of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the battlefield.
