German Army Plans to Equip Low-Cost Cruise Missiles

Reference News Network reported on October 13 According to the German news television channel website on October 9, Christian Freuding, the Director of the German Federal Army, plans to equip the troops with low-cost cruise missiles that can be deployed in large numbers for combat.

On the evening of October 8, the general announced in Berlin that a related decision had been made. He said, “This will enable us to conduct saturation attacks on enemy deep targets approximately 1,500 kilometers away, thereby overloading the enemy's air defense systems.” He also mentioned that the effectiveness of the strikes would be better when used in conjunction with traditional cruise missiles.

Freuding stated that cruise missiles are “high-value weapons capable of striking important strategic targets,” and that a sufficient number of launches is necessary to exhaust the enemy's air defense systems, thus Germany should order American cruise missiles.

Freuding did not disclose which model of low-cost cruise missiles would be purchased, only stating that two options are being considered. He said, “In principle, it is possible to equip the first systems starting in 2027, and we intend to do so.”

Earlier this week, the American defense contractor Kofnant opened a cruise missile production facility in Leipzig, Germany. According to the plan, the factory will begin producing the “Song” low-cost cruise missile in 2027. Kofnant plans to produce 1,000 “Song” missiles in the first year of production and 5,000 in 2028.

The company plans to sell this weapon system at a price far below that of similar products currently on the market. Kofnant announced that the price of the “Song” missile will be kept in the six-figure range, which is less than $1 million. In contrast, other similar weapon systems typically sell for several million dollars each. (Translated by Wang Qiang)