Instead of rolling out another luxury car, Renault’s next project is set to be a kamikaze drone designed as France’s own take on the Iranian Shahed system.
The carmaker’s new loitering munition, referred to as “Chorus,” is said to stand about 10 meters (33 feet) tall with a wingspan exceeding 8 meters (26 feet).
It reportedly has a top speed of 400 kilometers (250 miles) per hour and can operate at altitudes above 5,000 meters (16,000 feet).
While Chorus fits the profile of a long-range strike munition, its design could also lend itself to advanced aerial reconnaissance roles.
Renault is developing the concept alongside French defense firm Turgis Guillard, which is leading early prototype design work.
‘600 Drones in One Month’
Renault is expected to assemble Chorus across two production sites, with airframes built in Le Mans and internal combustion engines completed in Cleon.
The project is also being evaluated with support from France’s Directorate General of Armament. If approved, the partnership could unlock up to 1 billion euro ($1.2 billion) in funding spread over 10 years.
With that funding, Renault could reportedly enable production rates of as many as 600 drones per month.
A Necessary Shift?
Chorus aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s push for France to field more single-use drones and reduce reliance on foreign systems.
The French Armed Forces currently depend heavily on the US-made MQ-9 Reaper for strike and surveillance missions, with Macron acknowledging that the country is “lagging behind” in producing homegrown systems.
If realized, Chorus could mark an early step toward a more self-reliant French drone ecosystem, building on a concept already proven in conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war.
Other countries are pursuing similar paths, from the US-developed LUCAS drone to Thailand’s KB-5E, which has reportedly seen operational use in recent border clashes with Cambodia.
