Original Coverage & Source Attribution: en.defence-ua.com
Press reported Denmark’s intent to procure for its own armed forces air-launched JSM cruise missiles for fifth-generation F-35 aircraft, and small cruise missiles or jet drones Anthem from American startup Covenant, characterized by use of wheeled chassis for ground launch.
Although specific quantitative parameters are not disclosed in this story, such as number of jet assets planned for procurement, their unit cost and expected delivery timeline, fact itself indicates rather interesting trend.
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First worth noting that from practice of Ukraine’s actions in war against russia, NATO countries’ militaries clearly established that modern combat operations require not only expensive and precision cruise missiles of air (or ground) basing, but also cheaper and mass-produced jet assets.
Specifically in this case Anthem from Covenant has declared cost of less than $1 million per unit, engagement range up to 1,500 kilometers, and warhead up to 200 kilograms.
In turn JSM costs up to $3.5 million per unit, flight range up to 350-500 kilometers, warhead 120 kilograms at launch weight of 416 kilograms. For further comparison between these two assets, specific parameters are lacking on how many per year and at what cycle JSM and Anthem can be manufactured.
However more important in this story appears another point. Taking at least public side, NATO countries’ militaries in story of expensive cruise missile and cheap jet drone doublet put industrial capacity deployment at forefront, seemingly forgetting about another component — deploying corresponding units that will employ armament.
Specifically in Denmark’s case this concerns which units and from which service branch will employ ground-based Anthem. Meaning whether these missile-drones will be employed by army units, air force units, or will be formed into separately created unmanned systems units altogether.
Focusing further specifically on defense-industrial aspect, it turns out that currently NATO countries prefer choosing mass-produced jet assets specifically from Western companies, while possible options from Ukrainian manufacturers are at best considered only as secondary choice.
Currently Denmark has at least 20 F-35 aircraft, and also eight Israeli-made PULS rocket systems, which currently are only ground-based missile armament in Danish army’s possession.
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