US defence startup Covenant plans to begin mass production of its low-cost Anthem cruise missile in Germany in early 2027, targeting European demand for long-range weapons as the United States and its allies seek to replenish advanced munitions stocks depleted by recent conflicts.Covenant says Anthem has been designed for rapid, high-volume production at a lower cost than comparable weapons made by major defence contractors. Its Saxony facility is expected to initially produce 1,000 missiles a year from 2027, eventually reaching a capacity of 5,000 annually, company executives told news agency Reuters.The announcement comes amid growing concern over US stockpiles of advanced weapons following sustained military operations, including the war with Iran.Multiple reports have highlighted concerns among US military commanders over critically low stocks of certain munitions, particularly air-defence interceptors.On September 6, US government investigators had subjected around 50 members of the military’s Joint Staff to polygraph tests during an investigation into leaks to journalists, including reports concerning the war with Iran and the depletion of critical US munitions stocks.Covenant is pitching Anthem as a response to the production and cost constraints surrounding high-end missiles.“Comparable weapons from the biggest defense contractors are “being built in small quantities at really high prices. And so we set out to change that,”” Michael Kaufman, Covenant’s co-founder and chief executive officer, told Reuters.Anthem is a ground-launched cruise missile carrying a payload of more than 200 kg. It uses a solid rocket motor for launch and a heavy-fuel jet engine for cruise flight, and has flown the missile more than 200 times in tests over the past year.The company is targeting a mid-six-figure price per missile once full-rate production begins. It has already booked roughly $150 million in orders and expects to begin generating revenue in 2027.Covenant said it has sought to build a supply chain capable of supporting mass production, including three solid-rocket-motor providers and a fourth in development. It has also signed long-term agreements covering more than 4,000 jet engines over the next two years.The company’s Dallas plant, spanning 105,000 square feet, is expected to reach production of 5,000 missiles a year. Its German facility is planned for the same eventual capacity, while a smaller plant in northern Israel will produce 2,000 annually.Covenant president Abby Denburg said the missile had been developed with a potential Indo-Pacific conflict in mind.“We were designed for the China fight,” she told the news agency.Covenant also said it is developing a naval version of Anthem and expects Germany and other European countries to require tens of thousands of long-range weapons.
