The defense sector is operating at full capacity. Car manufacturer Renault confirmed on Monday, March 30th that it is working on a new project: a “ground drone for military and civilian use.” This initiative, revealed by L’Usine Nouvelle and reported by BFM Business, is part of a partnership with John Cockerill, the owner of the military vehicle manufacturer Arquus. Renault stated that it had been contacted earlier in the year by the Ministry of Armed Forces, interested in its rapid development and production capabilities.
The company mentioned that its research and development teams are “testing and exploring various options, such as ground robots, which also present a potential for civilian applications.” “This is an exploratory study project,” the group added. The envisioned prototype would be the size of a small car and designed for field reconnaissance. According to L’Usine Nouvelle, its design would resemble a small lunar 4×4, equipped with multiple suspended cameras. It would be based on a technological platform incorporating some existing modules and components from Renault.
The presentation of Renault’s first military ground drone could take place at the Eurosatory exhibition in June, although the manufacturer has not confirmed this date. Renault has previous projects in the defense sector, including the aerial drone Chorus, developed in collaboration with Turgis Gaillard, produced at the Le Mans factory with a production rate of up to 600 units per month.
In the longer term, Renault and Arquus could also develop light military vehicles, potentially adapting some models from the Dacia range for military use.
[Context: Renault is working on a new ground drone for military and civilian use.] [Fact Check: Renault has previous projects in the defense sector, including the aerial drone Chorus.]
