The companies said Vektrex is intended to extend the range and effectiveness of coalition artillery forces. The munition is also aimed at requirements for artillery modernisation, long-range strike capability and replenishment of munitions stocks.
The agreement comes amid rising international demand for industrial-scale manufacturing. Governments are rebuilding depleted munition inventories, expanding defence industrial capacity and modernising artillery forces for high-intensity operations.
Rheinmetall and GA-EMS will assess Vektrex as a cost-effective standoff capability. The munition integrates with fielded 39- and 52-calibre 155 mm artillery systems, supporting rapid integration across coalition force structures.
The MoU was signed by GA-EMS President Scott Forney and Roman Köhne, Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall’s Weapon and Ammunition Division. Rheinmetall said the agreement builds on GA-EMS’ continued investment in precision-strike munition development and scalable manufacturing.
Rheinmetall’s munitions and production expertise, combined with NATO-compliant infrastructure, is intended to support Vektrex for large-scale series production. The companies said this would help meet the requirements of Alliance and partner nations.
“Operational demand continues to outpace traditional guided-munition manufacturing output,” Forney said. “This collaboration helps allied industry expand long-range strike capability while leveraging artillery systems already deployed across coalition forces.”
Vektrex is designed to deliver manoeuvring strike capability in contested and GPS-degraded environments. Its glide-based aerodynamic design extends engagement range two to three times beyond conventional artillery projectiles.
The companies said the design reduces integration risk for artillery formations already in service. They also described Vektrex as a lower cost-per-effect alternative to tactical missile systems for forces requiring survivable standoff fires.
“European and allied armed forces require long-range strike capabilities that integrate rapidly, scale efficiently, and remain sustainable through resilient multinational industrial networks,” Köhne said. “This MoU enables both companies to align advanced artillery technologies with established manufacturing infrastructure to support evolving operational requirements.”
The collaboration supports distributed co-production opportunities across allied defence sectors. Rheinmetall and GA-EMS said this could strengthen supply chains, accelerate fielding timelines and expand industrial participation.
The companies said military requirements are shifting towards longer-range and higher-volume fires. They said Vektrex offers a scalable modernisation path for fielded artillery systems without requiring new launchers, propellant infrastructure or logistics.
