BERLIN, — Germany is advancing plans to acquire low-cost, long-range cruise missiles for large-scale army deployment, with initial deliveries potentially beginning in 2027. Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, Inspector of the German Army, outlined the plan at a parliamentary evening hosted by the Army Supporters’ Association (Förderkreis Deutsches Heer) in Berlin on Thursday, October 8, according to the German news agency DPA.
The missiles are intended to strike targets approximately 1,500 kilometres inside enemy territory and overwhelm air defence networks through large-scale deployment. Freuding said these weapons would complement more expensive conventional cruise missiles reserved for strategically important targets. The German government also intends to purchase higher-value cruise missile systems from the United States for army use.
Two Systems Under Evaluation
The Bundeswehr is evaluating two commercially available missile systems, although Freuding did not identify them. Both must complete qualification and certification before entering service. He said initial deliveries from 2027 were possible and that the army aimed to meet this timeline.
One potential candidate is Anthem, developed by US defence technology company Covenant. However, Germany has not publicly confirmed an order for the missile.
Covenant Opens Production Facility in Leipzig
Covenant opened a 10,000-square-metre production facility in Leipzig, eastern Germany, earlier this week to manufacture cruise missiles for European NATO allies. Anthem production is scheduled to begin in 2027, with a target of 1,000 missiles in the first year and 5,000 annually by 2028.
Anthem is designed for a range of up to 1,500 kilometres and a reported payload capacity of 200 to 300 kilograms. The company plans to price it below $1 million per unit, a six-figure sum in US dollars, compared with several million dollars for many conventional cruise missiles. The missile is designed for precision strikes, and the Leipzig facility will handle assembly, with warheads integrated later at customer locations.
Covenant has indicated interest from European customers and held discussions related to the Bundeswehr, but no specific German purchase has been publicly confirmed. The company also aims to source less than 5 per cent of components from outside Europe for missiles built in Leipzig, establishing a largely European supply chain and reducing exposure to potential international trade restrictions.
Other Candidates and Germany’s Long-Range Strike Plans
German Defence Ministry planning documents reported in mid-2026 identified Anthem alongside Ukrainian-linked systems, including the Flamingo, developed by Fire Point, and BARS, as potential candidates for evaluation and possible mass production. No final selection has been publicly announced.
The proposed procurement would expand the German Army’s long-range strike capabilities by combining relatively inexpensive missiles for large-scale deployment with higher-value weapons for strategic targets. The next steps are qualification, certification and selection, with initial deliveries targeted for 2027 if the process proceeds as planned.
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