French automaker Renault has announced a partnership with defense company Thales to mass-produce the TOUTATIS kamikaze drone, a short-range loitering munition developed for precision strike missions.
According to information shared by the website Defence Blog, the agreement was presented during the Eurosatory 2026 defense fair, held in Paris, France.
According to the companies, production could begin as early as 2027 and reach a capacity of up to 1,000 units per month during the first year of operation. Currently, Thales manufactures only around 100 TOUTATIS drones per year, making the partnership a significant leap in French industrial capacity for this type of weapon.
The TOUTATIS weighs approximately 5 kg, can be carried and launched by a single soldier, and uses a tube-launch system. The drone can also be deployed from ground vehicles, helicopters, vessels, and other platforms. It carries a warhead of about 1 kg, capable of striking lightly armored vehicles and other tactical targets.
Renault’s participation aims to apply mass-production techniques typical of the automotive industry to reduce costs and accelerate manufacturing. The companies say that the transition from 3D printing to industrial molding processes will simplify assembly, reduce the number of components by around 40%, and significantly increase the pace of production.
“The Renault Group brings its industrial expertise to the TOUTATIS project, along with the highest automotive manufacturing standards, to design, industrialize, and produce at scale within reduced timelines and optimized costs,” said François Provost, chief executive officer of Renault.
The initiative is part of France’s effort to strengthen its defense industrial base amid growing demand for military drones, driven by lessons observed in the war in Ukraine. In recent months, Renault had already announced other projects in the sector, including the development of long-range drones and military vehicles in partnership with French defense companies.
Photo: Thales. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
