Valeo has been selected by Harmattan AI to develop and produce in France a sovereign electric drone motor

July 20, 2026 – Paris, France – Valeo, a global leader in automotive technologies, and Harmattan AI, a defense technology company specializing in the development of integrated autonomous systems,  are partnering to produce in France  a sovereign electric motor for drones.

Valeo brings its expertise in electrification to offer a sovereign electric drone motor for civil and defense applications. The technology developed by Valeo allows the motor to operate without heavy rare earths, thereby securing the supply chain. It will equip Harmattan AI drones. Production will begin in early 2027 at a Valeo site in France.

Christophe Périllat, Valeo CEO, stated: “Building on our technological expertise and our industrial footprint in France, we have developed various components to meet the needs of drones, including an initial range of sovereign electric motors. We are proud of our partnership with Harmattan AI. This first contract in the drones sector leverages Valeo’s industrial expertise to support national sovereignty by offering relevant technologies and ensuring robust, local production capacity. It also aligns with our ‘Beyond Auto’ strategy of applying our technologies to new fields.” 

Mouad M’Ghari, Harmattan AI Co-Founder and CEO, added: “The development of sovereign defense technologies is at the core of Harmattan AI’s mission. Through this partnership, we are strengthening the security of our supply chain while ensuring reliable access to the materials and expertise required to manufacture our defense systems. Critical rare earths represent a strategic vulnerability across global supply chains, and we are proud to contribute to the development of an alternative solution. This partnership reflects our broader strategy of securing control over the entire hardware value chain, enabling us to maintain full command of our production capabilities. More than ever, Harmattan AI is establishing itself as a provider of sovereignty.”

About Valeo
Valeo is a leading global technology company creating innovative solutions and systems for automotive and technology partners worldwide. Valeo is structured around its POWER, BRAIN and LIGHT Divisions, and Valeo Service, the augmented service partner, for the aftermarket and new forms of mobility.
Valeo is committed to making mobility safer, more sustainable and affordable to all. The Group is playing a vital  role in shaping the Car of Tomorrow: which will be  electrified, safer and software-defined. Valeo is leveraging its global industrial footprint and its technological leadership in electrification, advanced driver assistance systems, lighting and software to capture an increasing share of value per vehicle.
Valeo is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.  

Valeo in brief: €20.9 billion in sales in 2025 | 100,000 employees worldwide | 29 countries | 149 production plants | 59 R&D centers | 19 distribution platforms (as of February 26, 2026).
Learn more at www.valeo.com

Find all our press releases: https://www.valeo.com/en/press-releases/

Media Contacts
Dora Khosrof | +33 7 61 52 82 75
Florentina Deca | +33 6 32 13 69 15
Caroline De Gezelle | + 33 7 62 44 17 85
Clémence Le-Roux | + 33 6 12 18 26 00
press-contact.mailbox@valeo.com

Investor Relations
+33 1 40 55 37 93
valeo.corporateaccess.mailbox@valeo.com

About Harmattan AI
Harmattan AI is a defense technology company building autonomous robotic defense systems. It develops mission-ready systems across air defense, ISR, strike, electronic warfare and C2, designed for real-world operations in contested environments. Harmattan AI builds forces designed for scale, where autonomy expands the volume and capability of systems deployed in the field. This enables forces to operate with coherence and coordination at a fundamentally different level, generating saturation and redefining how advantage is created in modern operations. Harmattan AI supports the West and allied countries with next-generation defense capabilities. The company operates across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, enabling close collaboration with defense partners and the delivery of mission-adapted solutions.
Learn more at www.harmattan.ai

Media contact
Lucas Person | + 33 7 63 50 99 24
press@harmattan.ai