Denmark is planning to acquire two types of long-range precision-strike missiles to enhance its national defence capabilities and reinforce NATO’s collective deterrence posture. The planned acquisitions include Kongsberg’s air-launched Joint Strike Missile (JSM) and Covenant’s ground-launched Anthem cruise missile.
The Danish Ministry of Defence has not disclosed the procurement quantities, contract values or expected delivery schedules. The announcement follows Denmark’s recent order for an additional batch of Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) from Kongsberg under a contract valued at approximately 400 million Norwegian kroner (US$42.4 million).
Joint Strike Missile for Denmark’s F-35 Fleet
According to Denmark’s defence procurement agency, the Joint Strike Missile will be integrated with the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-35 fighter aircraft. Designed to fit inside the aircraft’s internal weapons bay, the missile allows the F-35 to retain its low-observable characteristics while carrying a long-range precision-strike weapon.
Developed from Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile, the JSM is designed for precision engagement against maritime and land-based targets. Its reported range is approximately 350 kilometres (217 miles). The missile weighs around 416 kilograms (917 pounds), including a 120-kilogram (265-pound) warhead, and measures approximately four metres in length and 48 centimetres in diameter.
The planned acquisition would expand Denmark’s F-35 weapon options and strengthen its ability to conduct stand-off strike missions.
Covenant’s Anthem Cruise Missile
Denmark is also planning to acquire Covenant’s ground-launched Anthem cruise missile, which has a reported range of approximately 1,207 kilometres (750 miles) and can carry a payload exceeding 200 kilograms (441 pounds).
The Washington, DC-based company unveiled Anthem in September following two years of development. Covenant is positioning the missile as a relatively low-cost, mass-producible alternative that could complement established systems such as Raytheon’s Tomahawk cruise missile and Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile–Extended Range (JASSM-ER). The US military has reportedly emerged as a potential customer.
Anthem’s proposed production strategy centres on scaling manufacturing capacity while diversifying its supply chain. Covenant has secured long-term agreements covering more than 4,000 jet engines over a two-year period. The company has also established relationships with three solid rocket motor suppliers and is seeking to add a fourth supplier to reduce supply-chain dependence.
Multinational Production Strategy
Covenant plans to manufacture Anthem in the United States, Germany and Israel. According to the company’s stated production targets, its facilities in Dallas and Saxony are each expected to reach annual production capacities of 5,000 missiles, while its northern Israeli facility is projected to produce an additional 2,000 missiles annually.
If achieved, these targets would provide a combined planned manufacturing capacity of approximately 12,000 missiles per year. Such a production model would support Covenant’s ambition to supply large quantities of cruise missiles while reducing reliance on a single manufacturing location.
Strengthening Denmark’s Defence and NATO Deterrence
The planned procurement of the JSM and Anthem would give Denmark access to complementary air-launched and ground-launched precision-strike capabilities. The JSM is intended to equip the country’s F-35 fleet, while Anthem would provide a longer-range ground-launched strike option.
Together with Denmark’s continued investment in Naval Strike Missiles, the acquisitions reflect a broader effort to strengthen national defence, expand precision-strike options and contribute to NATO’s collective deterrence. However, procurement quantities, costs, delivery schedules and the final operational configuration remain subject to official confirmation.
