The main maintainer of APT, Julian Andres Klode, has announced plans to include the Rust compiler and standard library as mandatory dependencies for the package manager. This change is scheduled for May 2026, giving developers six months to adapt.
The decision to include Rust is aimed at enhancing the security of critical components, including parsers for deb, ar, and tar formats, as well as the digital signature verification system. Currently, APT 3.0 already utilizes the Rust utility sqv instead of gpgv.
This move is expected to improve the overall security and stability of the APT package manager, making it a more robust and reliable tool for Debian developers and users alike.