PARIS — French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has told Renault Trucks Defense (RTD) staff that there is little to be concerned about following the announced sale of the military vehicle builder, which is seen as a strategic industrial capability.

Le Drian also announced RTD deals with Kuwait and the French Army worth a reported total of €770 million (US $826 million).

"I have to tell you that I will be extremely vigilant that … this strategic asset remains under our control, as this is a key element in our sovereignty," he said Thursday in prepared remarks during a visit to an RTD plant at Fourchambault, central France.

"I can reassure you, with all my vigilance on the process underway, that I am not worried about your future," he added.

France, meanwhile, has selected RTD to supply 3,700 light vehicles to the Army, he said. That deal was worth more than €500 million, Agence France-Presse reported. The Direction Générale de l’Armemment procurement office declined to comment, as a contract has yet to be signed.

Kuwait is due to order 300 Sherpa light vehicles in a deal worth close to €270 million, Le Drian said. The French minister backed the RTD offer when he visited Kuwait in August, and his Kuwaiti counterpart called him two days ago to tell him of the selection.

"All you have to do now is sign the contract," he said.

The RTD plant at Saint Nazaire, western France, will assemble the 3,700 vehicles over four years, while Fourchambault will provide service support.

RTD will convert a station wagon-type civilian vehicle by strengthening the chassis and suspension and fitting military equipment, the company said in a statement. The first delivery is expected for 2017. The vehicle will have a 150-horsepower engine, weigh 3.5 tons and carry 900 kilograms.

Volvo said in November that RTD, the largest unit of its military vehicles business, would be sold off. RTD accounts for some 1.5 percent of total sales of the Swedish truck maker.

Share:
More In Land