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The firms have agreed to collaborate to advance their position in the loitering munitions space.
Rheinmetall and UVision have signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at bolstering the delivery of Hero-variant loitering munitions in the European market through the provision of a joint end-to-end offering.
Rheinmetall will be tasked with overseeing the industrial, technological and commercial components of the joint venture, while UVision is expected to supply the Hero loitering munitions.
The plan is to integrate the Hero series into Rheinmetall’s suite of manned and unmanned vehicle platforms, launchers, battle management systems and armoured vehicles.
The Hero family of munitions can be used in a number of mission types, including short to medium and long-range applications using a variety of warheads.
The weapons system is designed to provide armed forces with combined intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and strike capabilities, enabling personnel to independently locate, track and engage time-sensitive, low-signature targets.
The Hero system is also built to abort an attack in mid-air before re-entering loitering mode and resuming the attack or reassigning targets.
This capability is expected to minimise collateral damage and enhance operational flexibility.
“Entering the market for loitering munitions is an important strategic step for us,” Dr Alexander Sagel, head of Rheinmetall's Division Weapon and Ammunition said.
“In doing so, we are systematically pivoting to meet changing customer requirements and growing market demand. We aspire to provide our customers with high-tech solutions.
“Together with UVision, we will be offering products made in Europe for the European market to address growing European demand. With this partnership we aim to occupy the leading position in Europe.”
Major General (ret.) Avi Mizrachi, UVision's CEO said the partnership is a “major step” for the company.
“By integrating our loitering munitions into Rheinmetall's vast portfolio of munitions, warheads, combat platforms and battle management systems already used by leading military forces, we can now offer European and other allied armed forces a much broader and more complete set of solutions for their defence needs,” he said.
[Related: Rheinmetall and Navistar partner on bid for Canadian Logistics Vehicle Modernization program]
