A NATO member nation has placed a significant order for several hundred HERO loitering munitions from Rheinmetall, signaling growing European demand for precision-strike drone systems. Deliveries are slated to begin in early 2026, with production centered at Rheinmetall’s RWM Italia facility in partnership with UVision Air. The deal, valued in the low three-digit-million-euro range, includes the company’s newest anti-tank warheads optimized for modern battlefield requirements.
The HERO family of loitering munitions is designed to meet a wide range of operational needs. The compact HERO-30, ideal for infantry units, provides fast-deploy precision against soft targets. The HERO-120 and HERO-400 variants extend these capabilities with medium- and long-range strike options capable of engaging armored vehicles, fortified enemy positions, and static installations. This versatility has made the system increasingly attractive to NATO forces seeking flexible and scalable strike options.
Rheinmetall’s Italian production line is now running at maximum capacity to accommodate the new order, reflecting a surge in demand for loitering munitions across Europe. The company has highlighted the contract as evidence of NATO’s transition toward greater adoption of cost-effective, high-precision suicide drones that enhance tactical reach and battlefield responsiveness.
Hungary was among the earliest adopters, signing a contract in July 2023 worth a similar low three-digit-million-euro amount. This earlier deal supports infantry units and enables integration of HERO munitions onto Hungary’s Lynx IFV fleet, placing loitering munition firepower directly on armored platforms. In 2025, Hungary publicly demonstrated the HERO-30 system for the first time, showcasing its expanding precision-strike capability under the nation’s ongoing military modernization program.
