Rheinmetall and Destinus to Form Joint Venture for Advanced Missiles
Rheinmetall and Destinus have announced the formation of a joint venture, Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems, to produce and deliver advanced missile systems, including cruise missiles and ballistic rocket artillery. The joint venture will be established in the second half of 2026, with Rheinmetall holding a 51% stake and Destinus holding 49%.
This new partnership combines Rheinmetall’s vast industrial experience and manufacturing capabilities with Destinus’s innovative missile technology and system design expertise, creating a scalable, operational missile production system tailored to the current needs of European and allied armed forces.
Strengthening Europe’s Defence Industrial Capacity
The joint venture will develop scalable, industrial-grade missile systems, meeting growing demand in Europe for long-range strike capabilities. The Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems venture aims to leverage Destinus’s battle-proven architecture and Rheinmetall’s robust production infrastructure to address the need for thousands of systems annually, a demand that has been made evident by recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
With a focus on high-volume production, the joint venture will target both European and NATO markets, driving sustainable growth and delivering advanced missile systems to meet national and international defense requirements.
Combining Expertise for a Resilient Future
The partnership is set to bridge the gap between what European defense forces require and what the current industrial capacity can deliver. By combining Destinus’s cruise missile systems with Rheinmetall’s manufacturing expertise, this joint venture will be pivotal in meeting the growing demand for advanced strike systems in Europe.
With serial production capabilities already in place, Destinus currently produces over 2,000 cruise missile systems per year, while Rheinmetall brings years of experience in developing complex systems for military applications. Together, they will ensure that Europe can meet its defense needs with scalable, resilient solutions.
