The French Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with Turgis Gaillard and Renault, is developing a new combat drone named ‘Chorus.’ Patrick Payu, a delegate from the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA), provided details about the project during a Senate hearing.
Specifications of ‘Chorus’
According to Payu, the ‘Chorus’ drone will feature:
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Range: up to 3,000 km;
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Payload: 500 kg;
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Speed: 400 km/h;
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Cost: approximately €100,000 per unit.
The developers are taking inspiration from Ukraine’s ‘Flamingo’ cruise missile system, which boasts superior specifications, including a payload of 1,150 kg and a speed of 850-900 km/h, while also utilizing a turbojet engine.
Mass Production Plans
Despite its ambitious specifications, there are no plans for mass production of the ‘Chorus.’ Payu stated, “We do not intend to procure a large number of such systems that could quickly become outdated. However, this initiative ensures that Renault will be prepared to produce them in large quantities when the time is right.”
Context of France’s OWE Program
In January, the French Ministry of Defense ordered an initial batch of long-range teleoperated munitions (MTO) known as the ‘One Way Effector’ from a consortium including MBDA and Aviation Design. This drone is designed with a 40 kg warhead, a range of 500 km, and a speed of 400 km/h, intended for deep tactical strikes and to exhaust enemy air defenses, similar to Russia’s ‘Geran-2.’
France's Ministry of Defense is developing the 'Chorus' drone in partnership with Turgis Gaillard and Renault, featuring impressive specifications but no plans for mass production. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance military capabilities amid evolving defense needs.