Germany's Schaeffler to build combat drones with French partner

Schaeffler, a German-based supplier that has so far operated primarily in the automotive industry, plans to produce 100 combat and interception drones a day from November onwards, in collaboration with a French partner.

The drones are to be produced at a plant belonging to the French partner, Delair, in France, Schaeffler announced on Friday. Initially, Damocles drones and Aspik interceptor drones will be manufactured, it said. 

Schaeffler intends to supply components and help upgrade Delair’s production facilities to handle higher output.

Schaeffler is one of the world’s 10 largest suppliers to the automotive industry.

The company recently announced that its traditional areas of business, such as the manufacture of car parts, are currently not generating growth.

Schaeffler therefore intends to tap into new business areas - including the manufacture of components for humanoid robots, the space industry and the defence sector.