As Rheinmetall announced at Eurosatory 2026, Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems is starting to produce the Kryla and Ruta Block 2 cruise missiles, whilst development of the Ruta Block 3 is getting underway at the same time.
Kryla is a relatively small cruise missile carrying a 50-kilogram warhead. It can be launched from containers, existing rocket launchers or from pallets dropped from the air.
With a range of more than 800 km and the ability to coordinate the launch times of individual missiles with precision, the system is designed to enable saturation strikes that will overwhelm enemy air defence systems.
Ruta Block 2, on the other hand, is designed for precision strikes. With a 250-kilogram warhead, it is aimed at armoured and high-value targets that can be engaged from a distance of more than 700 kilometres.
In addition to its low flight altitude, Ruta is characterised by its ability to automatically detect targets using electro-optical and infrared sensors. Unlike Kryla, Ruta Block 2 can only be launched from containers, such as those on lorries or ships.
Whilst production of these two cruise missiles is already getting under way, Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems has long been working on the next variant of the Ruta. The Block 3 variant increases the range to more than 2,500 kilometres and improves the cruise missile’s navigation capabilities.
At the same time, Rheinmetall is seeking NATO certification for the system. Despite these further developments, it is still intended to be launched from containers, with a readiness to fire achievable within two minutes.
The joint venture Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems is a cooperation between the German company Rheinmetall AG and the European defence firm Destinus, which operates in several EU countries and Ukraine.
Destinus is supplying the avionics for the cruise missiles, whilst Rheinmetall is responsible for the propulsion systems and warheads. Final assembly and testing are to take place at a facility in Germany set up specifically for this purpose.
The self-declared aim of the company, which is currently being set up, is to use exclusively European components and thereby contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty.
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