Renault and Thales Partner to Mass-Produce Toutatis Loitering Munitions in France
French automaker Renault Group has partnered with defense firm Thales to mass-produce the Toutatis loitering munition, a kamikaze drone weighing 5 kg with a 10-30 km range and over 30 minutes of endurance. Announced at the Eurosatory defense fair, production aims to scale from 100 units per year to 1,000 per month by 2027 at a Renault factory, using plastic injection molding to cut costs and parts by 40%. Primarily for export, the deal reflects Europe’s push to boost defense capacity amid the Ukraine war and shifting U.S. policy.
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Renault partners with Thales to mass-produce France's new TOUTATIS kamikaze drone
On June 16, 2026, Thales and Renault Group announced a partnership to mass-produce the TOUTATIS loitering munition (kamikaze drone) in France. Production is slated to begin in 2027, with a target capacity of 1,000 units per month in the first year, a dramatic scale-up from France's previous drone programs. The TOUTATIS drone weighs about 5 kg, has a 10 km standard range (extendable to 30 km), over 30 minutes of flight endurance, jamming-resistant electronics, and can be launched from a tube by a single soldier or from vehicles and helicopters. Renault will apply automotive manufacturing expertise to optimize costs and production speed. The partnership marks a significant move by France to rapidly expand domestic loitering munition production, spurred by battlefield lessons from Ukraine and the need for sovereign capability.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsRenault partners with Thales to mass-produce loitering munitions drones in France
Renault Group has teamed up with Thales to mass-produce the Toutatis loitering munition drone at a Renault factory, aiming for 1,000 units per month as early as next year. The partnership, announced at the Eurosatory defense fair, leverages Renault's industrial expertise to scale production via plastic injection molding and a 40% reduction in parts. Currently, Thales produces only about 100 Toutatis units annually. The move is driven by lessons from the war in Ukraine and European defense spending increases. While no large French orders are planned, overseas markets are the primary target. This is the second defense collaboration between the two firms, complementing Renault's separate Chorus long-range drone program with Turgis Gaillard.
Defense NewsRenault and Thales Partner to Mass-Produce Loitering Munitions in France
French automaker Renault has partnered with defense firm Thales to mass-produce the Toutatis loitering munition, a remotely operated drone designed to hover over targets before striking. The companies announced the deal at the Eurosatory defense fair, with production set to reach 1,000 units per month at a Renault factory starting as early as 2027. The partnership aims to scale up France's industrial drone capacity, leveraging Renault's automotive manufacturing expertise to shift from 3D printing to cost-effective plastic injection molding, reducing parts count by 40%. While no large-scale French government orders are currently planned, the drones are primarily intended for export markets. The initiative reflects broader European efforts to boost defense production in response to the war in Ukraine and shifting U.S. policy. Renault is also developing a long-range drone, the Chorus, with Turgis Gaillard, targeting 600 units per month from its Le Mans plant.
C4ISRNetRenault and Thales Partner to Mass-Produce Loitering Munitions in France
French automaker Renault Group has partnered with defense technology firm Thales to mass-produce the Toutatis loitering munition, a remotely operated drone designed to hover over targets before striking. Announced at the Eurosatory defense fair, the deal aims to scale production from Thales' current 100 units per year to 1,000 units per month starting as early as 2027, primarily for export markets. The shift from 3D printing to plastic injection molding and a 40% reduction in parts will lower costs. This marks Renault's second defense collaboration with Thales, following a military vehicle project, and is part of broader European efforts to boost defense industrial capacity amid the war in Ukraine and shifting U.S. policy. Renault is also involved in the Chorus long-range drone program with Turgis Gaillard and a ground drone project with John Cockerill.
Defense NewsRenault and Thales partner to mass-produce loitering munitions in France
French automaker Renault Group has partnered with defense firm Thales to mass-produce the Toutatis loitering munition, a drone designed to hover over targets before striking. The agreement, announced at the Eurosatory defense fair, aims to ramp up production from Thales' current 100 units per year to 1,000 units per month starting in 2027, primarily for overseas markets. Renault will leverage its industrial expertise to shift from 3D printing to plastic injection molding, reducing parts count by 40% and lowering costs. The collaboration is part of a broader European push to boost defense manufacturing following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and shifts in U.S. policy. No firm French government orders are in place, but the companies cite strong demand from other markets. The deal adds to Renault's existing Chorus long-range drone program with Turgis Gaillard and a ground drone project with John Cockerill.
C4ISRNetRenault and Thales partner to mass-produce loitering munitions in France
French automaker Renault Group has partnered with defense firm Thales to mass-produce the Toutatis loitering munition, a drone designed to hover over targets before striking. The deal, announced at the Eurosatory defense fair, aims to ramp up production from Thales' current 100 units per year to 1,000 units per month starting in 2027, using Renault's industrial expertise and plastic injection molding instead of 3D printing. The design will be adapted with a 40% reduction in parts to lower costs. While no large French orders are planned, the drones target overseas markets. The partnership reflects a broader European push to boost defense manufacturing capacity amid the war in Ukraine and shifting U.S. policy. Renault is also involved in other drone programs, including the long-range Chorus project with Turgis Gaillard and a ground drone with John Cockerill.
C4ISRNetRenault and Thales partner to mass-produce loitering munitions in France
French automaker Renault Group has partnered with defense firm Thales to mass-produce the Toutatis loitering munition, a remotely operated drone designed to hover over targets before striking. The agreement, announced at the Eurosatory defense fair, aims to scale production from Thales' current 100 units per year to 1,000 units per month starting as early as 2027, primarily for export markets. Renault will adapt its industrial expertise, shifting from 3D printing to plastic injection molding and reducing parts by 40% to lower costs. The partnership reflects Europe's push to boost defense manufacturing capacity amid the war in Ukraine and shifting U.S. foreign policy. No significant French government orders are yet planned. The deal follows Renault's earlier Chorus program with Turgis Gaillard for a long-range drone and a ground drone project with John Cockerill.
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