A NATO ally has placed a major order for several hundred HERO Loitering Munition systems, with deliveries set to begin in early 2026.
An unnamed NATO ally has placed a major order for several hundred HERO loitering munition systems from Rheinmetall, with deliveries set to begin in early 2026.
Production will take place at RWM Italia in Italy, supported by partner UVision Air, and includes Rheinmetall’s latest generation of anti-tank warheads.
The contract, valued in the low three-digit-million euro range, underscores NATO’s growing reliance on suicide drones to enhance precision strike capabilities and battlefield flexibility.
HERO systems come in multiple variants tailored to different tactical needs. HERO 30 is a compact, portable system for infantry deployment, while HERO 120 and HERO 400 offer medium- and long-range precision strike options against armored vehicles, fortifications, and immovable installations.
Rheinmetall’s Italian facility is now running at full capacity to meet the production schedule for this surge in demand.
HERO Global Deployment
One of the earliest reported orders came from Hungary, which signed a contract in July 2023 valued in the low three‑digit‑million euro range.
That deal reportedly supports not just infantry but also integration with Hungary’s new Lynx IFV fleet — putting loitering munition capability directly on combat vehicles.
More recently, in 2025, Hungary publicly deployed the HERO‑30 system, marking the first operational display of tactical precision‑strike capability under its defense modernization program.
