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Valeo to make drone motors in France for Harmattan AI

By Thomson Reuters Jul 20, 2026 | 11:36 AM

July 20 (Reuters) – Automotive supplier Valeo will develop and produce electric ​drone motors ‌in France for defense technology firm Harmattan AI, the companies said on Monday.

The ‌motors, ​designed for ⁠both civil ⁠and defense applications, will be manufactured without heavy rare earths to ​help secure the supply chain, they added.

• ⁠Production is ⁠scheduled to begin ​in early 2027 at ​a Valeo facility in ‌France.

• Harmattan AI said the partnership helps maintain command of ⁠its production capabilities by addressing strategic vulnerabilities in the global ⁠supply ‌chain.

• “This first ⁠contract in the ​drones ‌sector leverages Valeo’s ​industrial expertise ⁠to support national sovereignty,” Valeo CEO Christophe Périllat said.

(Reporting by Lucie Barbier; Editring by Andrew ​Heavens)