Rheinmetall has secured a major contract from an undisclosed NATO ally for several hundred HERO loitering munitions, with production scheduled to begin soon and deliveries expected in early 2026. The agreement, estimated in the low three-digit-million-euro range, will be executed by RWM Italia together with partner UVision Air. The order includes Rheinmetall’s latest anti-tank warheads, reflecting increased NATO interest in advanced precision-strike technologies.
The HERO series provides multiple scalable options tailored to different battlefield roles. The infantry-portable HERO-30 offers lightweight precision for rapid-response missions, while the HERO-120 and HERO-400 provide extended-range capabilities against armored targets, fortified structures, and fixed installations. This broad mission profile has made the system one of the most sought-after loitering munition families among Western militaries.
Hungary has been a leading customer in this category, having placed a significant order in 2023 that also fell into the low three-digit-million-euro range. That contract supports integration of loitering munitions onto the nation’s new Lynx IFV fleet to expand mounted strike capabilities. By 2025, Hungary conducted the first public deployment of the HERO-30, marking a milestone in the country’s defense modernization strategy and highlighting the growing importance of suicide drones across NATO forces.
