Renault Group has revealed a military prototype called the 4 Troop, based on the Rafale coupe SUV.
The vehicle was developed with French defense contractor Thales and debuted at the Eurosatory 2026 defense show in Paris.
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Despite its name, the 4 Troop is not derived from the electric R4 but from the larger Rafale.
It falls under the Civilian Multi-Role Vehicle (VCMR) program, offering a more affordable alternative to purpose-built military trucks.
Drone Mothership Capabilities
The exterior appears as a standard Rafale with a matte beige wrap, covered headlights, aggressive tires, and a custom roof rack.
The key modification is underneath: Thales installed its Combat Digital Platform, turning the SUV into a drone control center.
The 4 Troop can deploy and coordinate multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs).
It also features advanced sensors, secure tactical connectivity, substantial data processing, and AI-assisted decision support.
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Renault describes it as a 4x4 with a hybrid drivetrain for discreet operation and long range. It includes Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function for powering electrical equipment.
The powertrain likely comes from the Rafale E-Tech 4x4, a plug-in hybrid with 300 hp (221 kW) and a 22 kWh battery providing 62 miles (100 km) of electric range.
The Rafale shares the CMF-CD architecture with the Austral and Espace SUVs.
Renault says series production is possible for rapid deployment at optimum cost. The Thales equipment already meets military operational and connectivity standards.
The company argues that using a civilian platform reduces logistical and maintenance burdens, as the fleet can use existing service networks.
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Ford recently proposed a similar idea with its F-Series and Ranger platforms.
