July 20 (Reuters) - Automotive supplier Valeo will develop and ‌produce electric drone motors ‌in France for defense technology ​firm Harmattan AI, the companies said on Monday. The motors, designed for both civil and ‌defense applications, ⁠will be manufactured without heavy rare earths ⁠to help secure the supply chain, they added. • Production ​is scheduled ​to ​begin in early ‌2027 at a Valeo facility in France. • Harmattan AI said the partnership helps maintain command of its production ‌capabilities by addressing ​strategic vulnerabilities in ​the ​global supply chain. • "This ‌first contract in the ​drones ​sector leverages Valeo's industrial expertise to support national sovereignty," ​Valeo ‌CEO Christophe Périllat said.