Incidents at the Delair Facility
In early June, a series of security breaches struck the factory of French firm Delair, located in Labège near Toulouse. This company serves as a critical supplier of military drones to Ukraine. On June 1, unidentified assailants hurled several Molotov cocktails at the building, though none of the bottles ignited. Surveillance cameras captured multiple individuals at the scene. In response, the Toulouse prosecutor’s office launched an investigation under charges of intentional property damage using methods dangerous to the public.
Three days later, on June 4, authorities detained a Belarusian national near the factory. The Paris prosecutor’s office subsequently charged him with espionage after he was filmed recording a drone prototype during testing. France’s General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) views both incidents as part of a coordinated operation. The agency leans toward the theory of foreign state involvement, most likely from Russia.
Delair’s Role in Military Supplies
Founded in Toulouse, Delair has been actively supplying military drones to Ukraine. Following the start of the full-scale war, France ordered a hundred drones from Delair for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The contract was later expanded, requiring the company to deliver 400 drones to Ukraine. Delair CEO Bastien Mancini noted that
“the company’s business growth is primarily driven by military orders.”
France is part of an international drone coalition for Ukraine, which includes over 20 countries and is coordinated by the United Kingdom and Latvia. Paris is also exploring the possibility of setting up drone production directly on Ukrainian soil. These developments underscore the strategic importance of the Delair factory as a defense technology supplier amid the current geopolitical landscape.
The incidents at the Delair facility may signal a rising threat level for companies involved in defense technologies, especially those supporting Ukraine. Given Delair’s key role in drone supplies, these events could impact the company’s production processes and security. The prosecutor’s investigation and the DGSI’s suggestion of possible foreign interference also highlight the tensions between France and Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine, which could have long-term implications for international relations in the region.