U.S. defense contractor Covenant announced plans to begin production of intermediate-range missiles near Leipzig, Germany, starting in 2027. The missiles are designed to travel more than 1,500 kilometres, with a potential output of up to 1,000 units per year.
Local sourcing and strategic goals
Although Covenant is an American company, the firm expects the majority of components for the Leipzig facility to be sourced from German and other European manufacturers. This approach aligns with Berlin’s push for cost‑effective, domestically and regionally supplied weapons to fill a perceived capability gap in long‑range strike options.
Policy backdrop
The initiative comes as Germany reevaluates its missile procurement strategy after the United States announced it would no longer provide Tomahawk cruise missiles to the German armed forces. German officials have emphasized the need for affordable alternatives that can be produced in large numbers, and Covenant’s proposal offers a potential solution.
Both Covenant and Germany’s defence ministry declined to comment further on the project.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
