The German Ministry of Defense is in talks with Covenant to acquire thousands of ground-launched Anthem cruise missiles. According to anonymous sources familiar with the negotiations, the missile has a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers. The manufacturer has not disclosed detailed specifications of the missile. These purchases aim to rapidly fill existing gaps in the Bundeswehr’s arsenal.
Currently, the German armed forces have Taurus missiles, which are air-launched and have a range of about 500 kilometers. These are produced by MBDA Missile Systems Services and the Swedish company Saab. Berlin is seeking multiple suppliers for its defense needs. Covenant has recently opened a factory in Leipzig, Saxony, where the first Anthem missiles are expected to roll off the production line in early 2027. The company plans to produce 1,000 units by the end of next year, relying on an independent European supply chain. By 2028, the factory’s production capacity is projected to reach 5,000 missiles annually.
However, Berlin does not intend to rely exclusively on one supplier. According to sources, Germany is also engaged in discussions with Ukraine regarding joint production and the purchase of Bars cruise missiles, although the manufacturer has not been disclosed. Bloomberg notes that the Dutch company Destinus, offering Ruta cruise missiles, and the German-British startup Hypersonica, developing the ultra-fast HS1 missile, may also compete for German orders. The objective is to secure a large quantity of relatively inexpensive weapons, as thousands of missiles launched during military operations could overload an adversary’s air defense, thereby increasing the chances of effectively hitting selected targets.
The acceleration of European purchases is linked to problems related to the planned acquisition of American BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles and ground-based Typhon launchers, with deliveries from Raytheon potentially being delayed by up to five years. Germany has found itself at the end of the queue for countries interested in this armament.
Simultaneously, Denmark is developing its own strike capabilities. Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus announced that the country plans to purchase long-range precision missiles designed for launch from both the ground and aircraft. The Danish government has selected the Joint Strike Missile produced by Kongsberg Gruppen of Norway for use with F-35 fighter jets, along with the Anthem missiles. Bloomberg summarizes that European nations are seeking to gain the capability to strike targets well beyond enemy lines while simultaneously developing domestic production to reduce dependence on U.S. supplies and shorten the waiting time for weapons that European armies urgently need in greater quantities.
