Politics · Germany · 2 days ago
German Army plans to acquire low-cost cruise missiles for mass use
German Army chief Christian Freuding says the army plans to acquire low-cost cruise missiles for use in large numbers.
He announced the decision at an event in Berlin.
The missiles are intended to reach targets about 1,500 kilometres away and could be used to overwhelm an opponent’s air defences.
Two commercially available systems are being considered, but neither has yet been selected and both need to be approved for Bundeswehr use.
Freuding says the first deliveries could begin in 2027.
Germany’s government also plans to buy more advanced cruise missiles from the United States and assign them to the army.
The low-cost weapons would complement those systems, while US company Covenant plans to begin making its Anthem missile in Leipzig in 2027.
The German Army has decided to acquire low-cost cruise missiles for mass use, according to Army Inspector Christian Freuding.
Freuding said the missiles are intended to strike targets about 1,500 kilometres away and overwhelm enemy air defences.
Two commercially available systems are under consideration, but both still need to be qualified for the Bundeswehr.
Freuding said an initial delivery from 2027 is possible and that the Army wants to achieve it.
Germany also plans to buy higher-end US cruise missiles, which Freuding said could complement the low-cost systems.
- Who
- The German Army, led by Army Inspector Christian Freuding.
- What
- It plans to acquire low-cost cruise missiles for mass use.
- When
- A first delivery is possible from 2027; both systems under consideration still need qualification.
- Where
- The announcement was made at an event in Berlin.
- Why
- Freuding said the missiles could strike targets about 1,500 kilometres away and overwhelm enemy air defences.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We will use them to strike targets at a depth of about 1,500 kilometres in mass and be able to overwhelm enemy air defence systems
An initial delivery from 2027 is therefore basically possible, and we want to achieve that
Covenant opened a cruise missile production facility in Leipzig.
Freuding said the decision to acquire low-cost cruise missiles had been made.
Production of Covenant's Anthem missile is due to begin, and an initial delivery to the Bundeswehr is possible.
Covenant plans to build 5,000 Anthem missiles.
- Range
- About 1,500 kilometres
- Systems under consideration
- Two commercially available systems
- Possible first delivery
- From 2027
- Covenant's planned Anthem production
- 1,000 missiles in 2027; 5,000 in 2028
- Anthem price
- A six-figure amount, below one million
Sources
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