Renault and Thales unveil 4 TROOP military vehicle for European defense

Renault Group partnered with defense technology company Thales to develop a military vehicle, the latest sign of European automakers shifting into weapons production as governments accelerate defense investment.

"The automotive industry can deliver at a speed that traditional defense contractors cannot match," Francois Provost, chief executive officer of Renault, said in an interview last week.

The prototype, dubbed 4 TROOP, is a 4x4 with a hybrid drivetrain capable of operating on all terrain types, supporting reconnaissance, troop coordination and drone deployment. It will be presented at the Eurosatory defense fair opening near Paris on Monday.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump have pushed European countries to step up defense spending, opening new opportunities for industrial companies outside the traditional defense sector. Several European defense firms are looking to the auto sector for additional production capacity as they win a surge in orders.

Drone Production and Broader Defense Push

Renault is also developing aerial drones with French manufacturer Turgis Gaillard, with the first demonstrator set to fly before the end of this year. The company plans to assemble the drones at its Le Mans plant, which specializes in automotive chassis, with a production capacity of up to 600 units per month.

The carmaker has responded to requests by France's defense ministry to contribute to military projects, Provost said. Renault is also working with Belgian military equipment company John Cockerill on projects that are currently in early stages.

Automakers Enter the Defense Supply Chain

Renault is not alone in exploring defense production. Mercedes-Benz Group Chief Executive Ola Kaellenius said last month that the German automaker would be willing to move into defense production as long as it made business sense. Tank maker KNDS has been seeking spare production capacity in other sectors to ramp up output during a surge in orders.

The 4 TROOP vehicle draws on Renault's industrial know-how and Thales's secure communications technologies to make a multi-mission vehicle that can be produced quickly at optimum cost, the companies said. The vehicle can also power certain types of electrical equipment in the field through its Vehicle-to-Load function.

"That's also the advantage of the automotive industry: we don't take 30 years to do something, we'll do it in 12 months," Provost said.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.