The German defense contractor Rheinmetall is joining forces with Destinus to launch joint production of cruise missiles and ballistic artillery; the new project, called Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems, is designed to address critical gaps in Europe’s defense system amid a shift in US policy and the “Trump factor.” It was reported by the Financial Times.
Experts will focus primarily on developing the Ruta Block 2 missile, which will be capable of striking targets at ranges exceeding 700 km. Mass production is scheduled to begin in late 2026 or early 2027. Although these figures currently fall short of the capabilities of American Tomahawk missiles, domestic production is strategically important for the EU: Europe currently manufactures only 300 cruise missiles per year, while russia produces about 1,100.
Rheinmetall’s decision to enter this new niche stems from European leaders’ reluctance to risk their own security due to Washington’s erratic policy toward NATO. Furthermore, experience from recent conflicts has shown that US arsenals are not bottomless, prompting Germany to accelerate the development of an autonomous defense industry.
The project has a notable Ukrainian connection. One of the executives at the Dutch company Destinus is former Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk, who has served as Senior Vice President for Defense since 2023. The company itself is already actively assisting the Ukrainian Armed Forces by supplying drones and cruise missiles, which is why the startup was officially added by the russian Ministry of Defense to its list of potential targets.
For Rheinmetall, this move means direct competition with the pan-European MBDA group, which previously dominated this segment. The launch of the Strike Systems project is set to be a key step in the creation of an independent European missile defense shield.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the group’s CEO, Papperger, previously stated that Rheinmetall’s warehouses are filled with weapons for Ukraine, but orders are blocked due to a lack of funds.
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