DÉCRYPTAGE – Solicited by the state, the automotive industry, including Renault, is studying how to work for defense. Aeronautics as well. But there are obstacles.
France is not at war, but conflicts are multiplying on Europe’s borders. The time is for rearmament. For this, the country can rely on its defense industrial and technological base, which includes 9 major groups and around 4,500 subcontracting SMEs. But the civilian industry is also called upon to support this increase in power. Especially those in the automotive industry.
The main goal of the government? France catching up on its lag in aerial and ground drones, which have become essential in modern conflicts. The state hopes to create a sovereign industry whose critical components would be provided by French or European companies. With their radars, lidars, technologies in autonomous driving, as well as their ability to produce on a large scale and at lower costs, automotive manufacturers like Renault and Stellantis, suppliers (Valeo, Forvia, OPmobility) and their suppliers, have a lot to offer.
:fill(black)/2026/04/23/69e9b817c4d63172188218.jpg "The images of the two ships seized by Iran")
