French defence minister acknowledges lag in drone production Calls for technological leap

In an interview with Le Point magazine, French Armies Minister Sébastien Lecornu admitted that France has fallen significantly behind other European nations in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a trend that has been evident for the past 10 to 15 years.

Reflecting on this "general failure" in drone technology, Lecornu emphasized the need for France to shift its approach. "We should not try to catch up forever," he stated, advocating for a strategy that allows France to "leapfrog the technological generation," Caliber.Az reports.

Looking ahead, Lecornu set an ambitious goal for the country, asserting that by 2030, France should lead in the production of various UAV versions. He noted that this issue is a priority for French President Emmanuel Macron, who is applying "adequate pressure" to ensure progress in this critical defence sector.

By Vafa Guliyeva