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10. October 2025
Rheinmetall Boosts European Defense With Precise Loitering Munitions Production
Rheinmetall ramps up production of loitering munitions at Italian facilities, securing over $213 million in orders from eight European countries. The company’s subsidiary, RWM Italia, has completed modern production facilities for loitering munitions assembly, testing, and warhead integration.
The current order backlog totals more than €200 million ($213 million USD) for various HERO loitering munitions models destined for eight different NATO and non-NATO countries across Europe. Rheinmetall has not disclosed specific customer names for security reasons.
Loitering Munitions: A New Standard of Precision
The Italian facilities produce three variants of the HERO family of loitering munitions. The HERO 30 is a small, portable system designed for infantry use in close-range engagements. The HERO 120 is a medium-sized platform engineered for precision strikes against armored vehicles and immovable installations. The HERO 400 provides medium to long-range capability for precision strikes against fortified positions and strategic targets.
All HERO systems feature low acoustic and visual signatures, pneumatic launch systems, and operator control throughout the mission with mid-air abort capabilities. The munitions can loiter above target areas, locate and track enemies, and strike with precision timing—or be recalled if the situation changes.
A New Era in Unmanned Systems
The production expansion fits into Rheinmetall’s larger unmanned systems portfolio, which generated approximately €120 million ($128 million USD) in sales during 2024. The company manufactures its own drones including the LUNA NG reconnaissance platform at facilities in Penzberg, Germany, and collaborates with major defense contractors including Anduril and Lockheed Martin.
Beyond production capabilities, Rheinmetall maintains leadership in counter-drone systems with a portfolio covering detection, identification, and defeat mechanisms including electronic jammers, cannon-based air defense platforms like the Skyranger, and high-energy laser systems.
The disconnect between tactical reality and strategic forecasting illustrates the difference. Right now, European militaries face urgent capability gaps exposed by the Ukraine war, where loitering munitions have proven indispensable. Countries need these systems today, regardless of whether demand remains at current levels in five years.
Rheinmetall’s dual approach—ramping production to meet immediate demand while maintaining public skepticism about long-term market sustainability—may actually be smart risk management. The company is capitalizing on the current surge while avoiding the trap of assuming today’s extraordinary demand represents the new normal.
The Rise of Loitering Munitions in European Defense
The Ukrainian conflict has accelerated the development and deployment of loitering munitions. These precision strike drones have proven to be a game-changer on the battlefield, offering unprecedented precision and range. The HERO loitering munitions systems produced by Rheinmetall are designed for use in close-range engagements and can loiter above target areas, locate and track enemies, and strike with precision timing.
The production expansion fits into Rheinmetall’s larger unmanned systems portfolio, which generated approximately €120 million ($128 million USD) in sales during 2024. The company manufactures its own drones including the LUNA NG reconnaissance platform at facilities in Penzberg, Germany, and collaborates with major defense contractors including Anduril and Lockheed Martin.
Rheinmetall’s leadership in counter-drone systems is unmatched, with a portfolio covering detection, identification, and defeat mechanisms including electronic jammers, cannon-based air defense platforms like the Skyranger, and high-energy laser systems. The company’s dual approach—ramping production to meet immediate demand while maintaining public skepticism about long-term market sustainability—may actually be smart risk management.
The Current State of European Defense
European militaries face urgent capability gaps exposed by the Ukraine war, where loitering munitions have proven indispensable. Countries need these systems today, regardless of whether demand remains at current levels in five years. The current order backlog totals more than €200 million ($213 million USD) for various HERO loitering munitions models destined for eight different NATO and non-NATO countries across Europe.
Rheinmetall has not disclosed specific customer names for security reasons. However, the company’s subsidiary, RWM Italia, has completed modern production facilities for loitering munitions assembly, testing, and warhead integration. The operation spans two sites in Sardinia: the Musei plant handles assembly and testing of electronic and inert components, while the Domusnovas facility manufactures and integrates warheads into the munitions.
The HERO 30 is a small, portable system designed for infantry use in close-range engagements. The HERO 120 is a medium-sized platform engineered for precision strikes against armored vehicles and immovable installations. The HERO 400 provides medium to long-range capability for precision strikes against fortified positions and strategic targets.
All HERO systems feature low acoustic and visual signatures, pneumatic launch systems, and operator control throughout the mission with mid-air abort capabilities. The munitions can loiter above target areas, locate and track enemies, and strike with precision timing—or be recalled if the situation changes.
A New Era of Precision Strike
The rise of loitering munitions in European defense is a new standard of precision on the battlefield. These precision strike drones offer unprecedented range and accuracy, allowing militaries to engage targets with precision and effect. The HERO loitering munitions systems produced by Rheinmetall are designed for use in close-range engagements and can loiter above target areas, locate and track enemies, and strike with precision timing.
The production expansion fits into Rheinmetall’s larger unmanned systems portfolio, which generated approximately €120 million ($128 million USD) in sales during 2024. The company manufactures its own drones including the LUNA NG reconnaissance platform at facilities in Penzberg, Germany, and collaborates with major defense contractors including Anduril and Lockheed Martin.
Rheinmetall’s leadership in counter-drone systems is unmatched, with a portfolio covering detection, identification, and defeat mechanisms including electronic jammers, cannon-based air defense platforms like the Skyranger, and high-energy laser systems. The company’s dual approach—ramping production to meet immediate demand while maintaining public skepticism about long-term market sustainability—may actually be smart risk management.
The Future of Unmanned Systems
As the role of drones in modern warfare continues to evolve, it is clear that loitering munitions will play an increasingly important role on the battlefield. The HERO loitering munitions systems produced by Rheinmetall are designed for use in close-range engagements and can loiter above target areas, locate and track enemies, and strike with precision timing.
The production expansion fits into Rheinmetall’s larger unmanned systems portfolio, which generated approximately €120 million ($128 million USD) in sales during 2024. The company manufactures its own drones including the LUNA NG reconnaissance platform at facilities in Penzberg, Germany, and collaborates with major defense contractors including Anduril and Lockheed Martin.
Rheinmetall’s leadership in counter-drone systems is unmatched, with a portfolio covering detection, identification, and defeat mechanisms including electronic jammers, cannon-based air defense platforms like the Skyranger, and high-energy laser systems. The company’s dual approach—ramping production to meet immediate demand while maintaining public skepticism about long-term market sustainability—may actually be smart risk management.
The rise of loitering munitions in European defense is a new standard of precision on the battlefield. These precision strike drones offer unprecedented range and accuracy, allowing militaries to engage targets with precision and effect. As the role of drones in modern warfare continues to evolve, it is clear that loitering munitions will play an increasingly important role on the battlefield.
The future of unmanned systems will be shaped by advances in technology, changes in military doctrine, and shifts in global politics. One thing is certain: loitering munitions will remain a key component of modern warfare for years to come.