Destinus Produces 1,750 Ruta B1 Cruise Missiles as Monthly Output Approaches 300

European defense technology company Destinus announced on October 29 that it has completed production of its 1,750th Ruta Block 1 cruise missile, with monthly manufacturing output approaching 300 units. The milestone highlights the company's rapid transition from missile development to serial production as European governments seek to expand their precision-strike capabilities and replenish military inventories.

The Dutch-headquartered manufacturer said the figures refer specifically to its Ruta B1 missile, which is produced across its European industrial operations. The company has not disclosed how many of the completed missiles have been delivered to military customers or remain in inventory.

The announcement comes as Europe's defense industry faces growing pressure to manufacture precision-guided weapons in substantially larger quantities, particularly following lessons from the war in Ukraine.

From Prototype Development to Industrial Production

Destinus has developed its Ruta B1 production system around vertically integrated manufacturing, with several critical missile components designed and produced internally.

The company manufactures the T150 turbojet engine powering the missile and develops its own navigation systems, airframes, guidance technologies and avionics.

In June 2026, Destinus announced production of its 1,000th T150 engine during that year, demonstrating its growing propulsion manufacturing capacity.

Sidney Berndt, the company's Chief Manufacturing and Supply Chain Officer, said the central challenge was maintaining consistent manufacturing standards while increasing production volumes.

The company considers repeatable production processes essential for meeting military requirements, particularly when armed forces need to build larger missile inventories and replace expended weapons during extended operations.

The October milestone indicates that Destinus has established a production system capable of manufacturing cruise missiles in significant quantities, although the reported output figures have not been independently audited.

Rheinmetall Partnership Expands European Industrial Ambitions

Destinus is simultaneously expanding its industrial partnerships, including cooperation with German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall.

In April 2026, the companies announced plans to establish Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems, a joint venture intended to develop and manufacture missile and rocket systems for European and international customers.

Under the announced ownership structure, Rheinmetall would hold 51% and Destinus 49%.

The partnership focuses on expanding European manufacturing of precision-strike weapons, including members of the Ruta missile family. Rheinmetall has identified its German industrial facilities as part of the planned production network.

As AdriaDefense previously reported, the cooperation is part of Rheinmetall's broader expansion into advanced missile and long-range strike technologies.

The two companies have also outlined the development of Ruta Block 3, a larger cruise missile designed for deep-strike missions at ranges exceeding 2,000 kilometers.

Unlike the Ruta B1, which Destinus says is already being produced at scale, the longer-range variant remains a separate development program.

Ruta Block 2 Production Begins

Destinus is also expanding beyond its existing Block 1 missile.

According to company information reported on October 29, production has begun on the larger Ruta Block 2, designed to carry a 250-kilogram payload over distances exceeding 700 kilometers.

The new version is designed for containerized storage, transportation and launch, an approach intended to simplify military logistics and deployment.

Destinus CEO Mikhail Kokorich said the company expects to be able to meet European demand, including Ukrainian requirements, for turbojet engines in the approximately 1.5-kilonewton thrust class beginning in 2027.

The manufacturer is already producing engines for its own weapons and supplying propulsion systems to other companies.

Kokorich also emphasized the importance of developing manufacturing supply chains that do not depend on Chinese components, positioning European industrial independence as a central element of the company's strategy.

Europe Faces New Challenge of Integrating Large Missile Inventories

The company's reported monthly production rate points to a wider change in European defense manufacturing. Smaller technology-led manufacturers are increasingly attempting to produce precision-strike weapons at a scale traditionally associated with major defense contractors.

However, expanding production is only one part of the challenge.

European armed forces must also develop the logistics, storage facilities, maintenance infrastructure and targeting capabilities required to operate substantially larger missile inventories.

Kokorich argued that future European deterrence requirements could involve tens of thousands of missiles, including more affordable weapons designed for missions at ranges below 1,000 kilometers.

For Destinus, the next measure of industrial success will be whether its expanding manufacturing capacity translates into sustained customer deliveries and operationally integrated weapons systems.

The company has not disclosed unit prices, the total value of its Ruta B1 production or a breakdown of military customers receiving the missiles.