Thales and Destinus enter strategic partnership with a view to advance counter-UAS, long-range strike and integrated air defence solutions

Thales and Destinus signed a cooperation agreement at Eurosatory 2026, reinforcing their collaboration to support armed forces in Europe and internationally in long-range strike, counter-UAS, and ground-based air interception. The partnership aims to address system integration and scalable production requirements.

In the face of rapidly evolving threats, this strategic partnership combines Destinus’ interceptor and long-range effectors portfolio with Thales’ proven expertise in air defence systems, AI for critical systems, key subsystems and industrial production. Together, the companies aim to turn complementary technologies into scalable solutions for high-intensity operations.

Five areas of cooperation have been identified:

1. The supply by Thales to Destinus of key subsystems for interceptor systems and long-range effectors, such as for example military warheads, aligned with NATO standards.
   
   
2. The joint production of the Hornet interceptor system at an industrial site qualified for operations involving pyrotechnical elements.
   
   
3. The interoperability of the Hornet family of interceptor systems with Thales’ counter-UAS systems and radars.
   
   
4. The development of long-range effectors deployable from tactical transport aircraft.The development of ground-based air interception capabilities in support of future NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence architectures.
   
   

“Layered air defence only works when systems interoperate by design, not as an afterthought.” said Tim Moser, Chief Technology Officer of Destinus. “Bringing Thales’ air-defence, radar, and critical-systems expertise together with our interceptor architecture lets us close the detection-to-engagement loop faster, while keeping engagement decisions exactly where they belong: with the operator. This partnership is about building that architecture at the scale European armed forces actually need.”

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group allocates €4.5 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of €22.1 billion.

Recent images of Thales and its Defense, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital activities can be found on the Thales Media Library. For any specific requests, please contact the Media Relations team.

About Destinus

Destinus builds Europe’s capacity to strike, defend and replenish at scale. We design and manufacture cruise missiles, guided rockets, ballistic systems and interceptors in Europe for European and allied armed forces. Behind these systems sits a vertically integrated base of propulsion, warheads, autonomy and critical manufacturing. Destinus turns European engineering into sovereign military capability. Produced across Europe. Owned in Europe. Made for Europe.