In a strategic move to strengthen Europe’s military edge, U.S.-based defense tech firm Anduril has joined forces with German defense heavyweight Rheinmetall to co-develop next-generation aerial drones tailored for European forces. The collaboration marks a growing trend of transatlantic partnerships aimed at merging American innovation with European production capacities.
The alliance will focus on developing European versions of Anduril’s advanced drones—Barracuda and Fury. Barracuda is a low-cost, rapidly deployable drone capable of swarm tactics and cruise missile-like functionality, while Fury is a high-end, stealthy platform built for long-range reconnaissance and precision strikes. The two companies also plan to explore joint ventures in producing solid rocket motors for missiles and rockets.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger emphasized the partnership’s alignment with NATO’s shifting defense needs: “By embedding Anduril’s agile technologies within Rheinmetall’s European production and sovereignty standards, we’re accelerating the delivery of modular, autonomous capabilities for the future battlefield.”
The backdrop to this collaboration is Europe’s increasing defense urgency following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and lingering doubts over continued U.S. military support under Donald Trump’s administration. While European governments have pledged to ramp up defense budgets, their reliance on American firms remains pronounced—especially in frontier technologies like drones, AI, and space systems.
California-based Anduril is part of a new generation of defense disruptors—alongside firms like Palantir and SpaceX—that aim to outpace traditional contractors through fast, adaptive innovation. The war in Ukraine has cemented the role of drones as indispensable tools in modern conflict, prompting Europe to act quickly in closing its defense technology gaps.
“This partnership isn’t just about co-manufacturing—it’s about building relevant, scalable solutions that respect national autonomy while serving collective security,” said Brian Schimpf, CEO of Anduril Industries. “With Rheinmetall, we’re creating systems ready for NATO’s future challenges—flexible, fast, and forward-looking.”
