Diehl Defence and Destinus today announced, during the ILA Berlin Airshow 2026, the signing of a teaming agreement to cooperate for European ground-based air defence and counter-UAV systems. As a first step, the Destinus Hornet interceptor will be integrated into Diehl Defence’s GARMR counter-UAV system as an additional effector, adding a new interceptor class designed to handle massed aerial threats without exhausting high-value effectors.

GARMR is a modular counter-UAV system built around standard interfaces, designed to integrate multiple effectors and engagement concepts within a single command-and-control framework. Integrating Hornet through that standard interface extends GARMR’s engagement options beyond close-range threats.

Hornet is designed specifically for the head-on interception of fast, low-cost aerial threats — jet-powered one-way attack drones and glide bombs — a target class that sits between classic counter-UAV effectors and high-end air defence missiles.

Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, said: “We are proud to join forces with Destinus to work together on the air defence of European and NATO member states. This will allow Diehl Defence to expand its market position as a leading provider of air defence systems.”

“Modern air defence is no longer just a matter of capability. It is a question of capacity and cost-per-engagement”, commented Mikhail Kokorich, CEO of Destinus. “Hornet adds a cost-effective layer beneath established systems, improving magazine depth and strengthening the overall architecture under high-volume threat conditions.”