Destinus
Destinus builds cruise missiles, interceptor drones, and guided rockets for European and Ukrainian armed forces, with a Rheinmetall JV for mass production.
Background
Destinus was founded in 2021 by Mikhail Kokorich and co-founder Oleksandr Danyliuk, originally pursuing hydrogen-powered hypersonic transport.
By 2023–2024 the company had pivoted sharply toward defense, abandoning the hypersonic cargo concept as its primary commercial focus.
Its core product is the Ruta cruise missile, operationally deployed by Ukrainian forces since 2023. Ruta Block 2, unveiled in early 2026, carries a 250 kg payload to 450 km range; Ruta Block 3 was announced in May 2026.
The Hornet interceptor drone is under testing by the French Army. The portfolio also includes guided rocket systems and turbojet engines developed in-house.
Destinus operates across the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine with roughly 750 engineers and specialists.
It sells direct to national armed forces, has established a 51/49 joint venture with Rheinmetall — Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems — to manufacture and deliver cruise missiles and ballistic rocket artillery from the second half of 2026, and acquired autonomy startup Daedalean in January 2026 to deepen its AI stack.