One of the largest European arms manufacturers, Rheinmetall, announced on April 13 the creation of a joint venture with the Dutch technology company Destinus. The new entity, named Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems, is to be headquartered in Unterlüss, Germany, and will focus on the development and production of advanced missile systems for the European and NATO markets. Rheinmetall ↗
Rheinmetall will hold a 51 percent stake in the venture, with Destinus holding the remaining 49 percent. The company's establishment is expected in the second half of 2026, following the receipt of regulatory approvals. Breaking Defense ↗
The key product is to be the Ruta Block 2 guided missile — an autonomous cruise missile which, according to the manufacturer's data, achieves a range of over 450 kilometers and carries a warhead of around 250 kilograms. Ruta uses AI-based navigation and, according to Destinus, can also operate in environments without GPS signal. Destinus has been supplying this missile to Ukraine since 2024, and according to Ukrainian sources it is operationally deployed against targets in Russia. Kyiv Independent ↗
In addition to Ruta, the joint venture is also to develop ammunition for HIMARS-type multiple rocket launchers. Rheinmetall is working on its own GMARS system — a European alternative to the American M142 HIMARS — which could reduce European armies' dependence on American supplies. Defense Express ↗
"We need to expand the industrial base for modern defense systems in Europe," said Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger. Destinus chief Mikhail Kokorich added that "the real constraint in Europe today is not demand, but production capacity," and that demand for guided missiles could, in his view, grow from thousands to tens of thousands of units per year. Rheinmetall ↗
Destinus, founded in 2021, originally focused on developing hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft. However, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the company redirected its technologies toward military production. Today, according to Breaking Defense, it has production capacity for more than 2,000 missile systems per year. Breaking Defense ↗
Rheinmetall has experienced sharp growth since 2022. For 2026, the company forecasts revenue growth of 40 to 45 percent, reaching 14 to 14.5 billion euros, with an order backlog reaching a record 63.8 billion euros. The company has sold its civilian automotive division and continues to strengthen its focus on the defense sector. CNBC ↗
The new joint venture fits into a broader trend. Several European countries are significantly increasing defense budgets and building new capacities for the production of ammunition and missile systems — from MBDA's factory lines in Germany to the resumption of Storm Shadow missile production in France and Britain. According to Rheinmetall, the European market for missile systems represents hundreds of millions of euros annually, with the potential to grow into the billions. Defence Industry EU ↗
Rheinmetall a Destinus zakladajú spoločný podnik na výrobu riadených striel. Európa rozširuje zbrojárske kapacity
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