French firms Renault Group and Thales have entered into a strategic partnership to develop and manufacture the Toutatis loitering munition at scale, with production capacity projected to reach as many as 1,000 units per month.
The agreement, unveiled during the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris, brings together Thales’ expertise in defense technologies and Renault’s high-volume industrial manufacturing capabilities. The initiative is aimed at strengthening France’s domestic unmanned aerial systems sector and accelerating the production of indigenous drone technologies.
The partnership also aligns with broader European efforts to enhance defense self-sufficiency, reduce dependence on foreign drone suppliers, and expand sovereign production capabilities. These efforts have gained urgency following operational lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
