Rheinmetall and Netherlands-based Destinus announced a joint venture named Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems to produce advanced missile systems. Rheinmetall will hold a 51% stake and Destinus 49%, with the entity launching in the second half of 2026.
The partnership merges Rheinmetall’s large-scale production expertise and program management with Destinus’s AI-guided cruise missile technology. This move accelerates European defense capabilities amid rising demand for sovereign missile supply.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger emphasized combining industrial scale with innovative system design to meet market needs. The venture targets advanced cruise missiles, building on Destinus’s Ruta Block 2, a 500 km-range autonomous weapon with enhanced warheads and AI-resistant navigation.
Ruta Block 2 evolves from Ukraine-proven systems, featuring low-altitude flight, swarm compatibility, and multi-warhead options for fortified targets and armor. Rheinmetall bolsters its missile portfolio, integrating interceptors into Skynex and Skyranger platforms while pursuing U.S. missile production in Europe.
This JV strengthens Europe’s defense industrial base, reducing reliance on external suppliers and enhancing operational readiness for air defense and strike missions.