John Cockerill and Renault Group unveil Forefront Concept, an innovative approach in the field of unmanned ground vehicles.
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Press Release, Seraing & Boulogne-Billancourt, 03 November 2026: John Cockerill and Renault Group unveil Forefront Concept, an innovative approach in the field of unmanned ground vehicles for the most demanding missions.
- John Cockerill and Renault Group present Forefront Concept, an innovative concept of versatile remotely operated ground platform.
- Forefront Concept previews new capabilities for both defence and civilian applications, enabling missions to be carried out remotely in high-risk or hard-to-reach areas.
- Forefront Concept combines Renault Group’s expertise in designing mobile platforms and industrialising them at scale, with John Cockerill’s operational expertise in the defence industry. It aims to deliver a differentiated solution: A modular ground vehicle that can be rapidly industrialised at a controlled cost, with unique mobility and off-road performance, and capable of autonomously navigating complex terrain.
Forefront Concept is a remotely operated ground platform featuring four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and two electric motors. It is designed to deliver high mobility, outstanding manoeuvrability and leading off-road capabilities across all types of terrain. Remotely operated and silent, the concept targets a range of approximately 400 kilometres, extendable through a range extender, enabling remote operations in the most demanding environments. With a target payload of up to one tonne, it is designed to address a wide variety of military uses—including logistics support, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), anti-drone operations, fire support and evacuation—but also civilian applications, particularly civil protection operations, logistics and interventions in constrained or hazardous working environments.
Two complementary areas of industrial expertise: Forefront Concept draws on the complementary expertise of Renault Group and John Cockerill. Renault Group designed the mobile platform and contributed its expertise in developing modular architectures, with a focus on reusing proven automotive components. Combined with design-to-cost and design-to-manufacturing principles, this approach optimises development costs and lead times from the earliest design stages as well as large-scale production capacity supported by a robust supply chain. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in electrification, Renault Group also brings recognised expertise in powertrains and batteries to ensure a high level of performance in the most demanding environments. Together, these capabilities make it possible to offer a high-performance platform that can be rapidly industrialised and is economically competitive.
John Cockerill designed the concept’s remote-operation and autonomy functions for complex environments and contributed its expertise in vehicle militarisation, mission-system integration and operational support. Its experience in armoured vehicles and defence systems enhances the robustness, survivability and adaptability of Forefront Concept to field constraints. As part of this project, John Cockerill has developed modular, scalable remote operation and autonomy solutions to ultimately enable the platform to operate fully autonomously while ensuring system safety and security.
Developed with input from the French armed forces, Forefront Concept will take part in several exercises and trials in the coming weeks to further refine the concept based on their operational feedback, while also contributing to their thinking on the rapidly evolving nature of operational environments and emerging needs for robotic capabilities. “Forefront Concept, developed alongside John Cockerill, demonstrates the contribution that Renault Group’s industrial and technological expertise can make to a strategic sector such as unmanned ground vehicles with multiple applications expected across both civilian and military sectors in the years to come. This innovative project brings together two complementary areas of expertise: Renault Group’s in the rapid, large-scale and cost-effective development and production of high-performance, reliable technological products and John Cockerill’s in the defence industry.” François Provost, CEO, Renault Group.
“Forefront Concept illustrates the emergence of a new generation of ground-based robotic systems, born out of the convergence of two major areas of industrial expertise. Thanks to a modular, open and scalable robotic architecture, this platform combines mobility, autonomy and tactical communications to enhance operational capabilities whilst reducing soldiers’ exposure to danger. With Forefront concept, John Cockerill is applying its expertise in robotics, military applications and autonomous systems to deliver a robust, high-performance solution that can be rapidly scaled up for industrial production.” Jean-Luc Maurange, CEO, John Cockerill.
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