German defense major Rheinmetall announced on Monday that it will enter cruise missile production for the first time through a partnership with Dutch defense company Destinus. Subject to regulatory clearances, the two firms plan to establish a joint venture within the year to manufacture these systems, according to the Düsseldorf-based company.
Cruise missiles—and the systems designed to counter them—have become central to modern warfare, playing a prominent role in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the US-Israeli operations against Iran. Rheinmetall stated that the new joint venture will focus on producing both strike and interception capabilities, including cruise missiles and rocket artillery, with some systems already proven in combat conditions in Ukraine.
The company has significantly benefited from Germany’s rearmament efforts initiated after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, critics argue that a disproportionate share of defense spending is being directed toward established manufacturers like Rheinmetall—known for products ranging from ammunition to armored vehicles—rather than toward smaller, high-tech firms developing next-generation military technologies.
