Defense Ministry Chief Visits Missile Firm Amid Iran Tensions

Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Major General (Res.) Amir Baram, recently visited the defense-tech company "Covenant" (קובננט), which is developing a long-range cruise missile designed for widespread, precise, and relatively low-cost attacks compared to existing market products. The visit occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions with Iran and discussions about a potential joint Israeli-American strike, and may signal Israel's efforts to expand its capacity for mass production of advanced munitions. This is crucial for a prolonged conflict where missile stockpiles could be depleted quickly, as seen in the current war.

The Ministry of Defense emphasized that Baram's visit is part of a series aimed at promoting the defense-tech sector and establishing Israel's ecosystem as a global leader. The ministry supports hundreds of startups as part of a strategy to bolster defense industries and increase defense exports. Officials declined to comment on whether the ministry is acquiring the company's technologies or is in procurement discussions.

Covenant, founded in 2024, unveiled its "Anthem" missile in September. Developed over two years, the current version is designed for ground launch, with a naval variant also in development. Reports suggest the missile carries a payload of over 200 kg. While the company has conducted over 200 test flights, its official operational range remains undisclosed, though unverified reports suggest ranges exceeding 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers.

The Anthem's key advantage lies in its potential for mass production at a significantly lower cost than advanced missiles like the American Tomahawk, aiming for hundreds of thousands of dollars per missile in serial production versus millions. The concept is to enable the use of numerous missiles against multiple targets without rapidly depleting expensive munitions. The company plans to produce missiles at three sites: the US, Germany, and Israel, with a projected annual capacity of 12,000 missiles, including approximately 2,000 in Israel.

Baram stated that the Ministry of Defense's policy is to encourage and strengthen both new defense-tech startups and established industries, emphasizing this balance is vital for healthy competition, innovation, and maintaining Israel's qualitative edge. He added that Israel must prepare for a challenging security decade, adapting its plans to global changes and battlefield developments. Baram also highlighted defense exports as a critical growth engine and an enabler for the IDF's force buildup and supplying advanced systems to soldiers, while also strengthening the economy and industry.