Several hundred kilos of hafnium, a strategic metal used notably in the manufacture of combat drones and fighter jets, were stolen overnight Wednesday to Thursday from the Framatome plant in Jarrie (Isère), a site classified as Seveso high threshold, sources confirmed on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The damage is estimated at several million euros.
Thieves Struck Despite On-Site Presence
According to information obtained, the thieves entered the plant in the middle of the night despite the presence of a temporary worker on site. In just a few minutes, they made off with several hundred kilos of the strategic metal, which is used in aeronautics for the production of combat drones and Rafale-type fighter jets, as well as in space applications and nuclear submarine propulsion systems.
Investigation Underway
The investigation has been entrusted to the research section of the Grenoble gendarmerie. On Friday, October 23, an extraordinary works council meeting was held at the plant in the presence of management.
Unions Demand Security Overhaul
Unions have called for strengthened security within the company to protect employees. In a statement, the Force Ouvrière union demanded “the immediate withdrawal of all employees from night and weekend shifts as well as the complete shutdown of the hafnium facilities until full and serious securing of site access is achieved, whatever the cost.”
Sixth Theft in Seven Years
This week’s theft is the sixth in seven years at the Jarrie site. In September, following previous thefts at Jarrie as well as in Cergy, in the Paris region, the President of the Republic asked his government to “prepare a protection plan for our critical infrastructure, as well as for the most sensitive sites of our defense industrial and technological base.”
- The theft occurred overnight October 21-22, 2026
- Hafnium is used in combat drones, Rafale fighter jets, space applications, and nuclear submarine propulsion
- Damage estimated at several million euros
- Force Ouvrière demands immediate withdrawal of night-shift workers and complete shutdown of hafnium facilities
- This is the sixth theft in seven years at the site
