Andreessen- and Thiel-backed defense startup opens U.S. missile factory as it exits stealth

Live updates

1. 5d ago

   Defense Startup Covenant Exits Stealth to Mass-Produce Low-Cost Missiles

   Covenant, a defense startup backed by Peter Thiel and Andreessen Horowitz, has emerged from stealth to produce the Anthem, a low-cost, deep-strike precision cruise missile. The company has opened a factory in the U.S. and plans additional mass production facilities in Germany. Covenant aims to address current U.S. missile shortages by producing 1,000 missiles per factory next year, with a long-term scaling goal of 5,000 missiles annually.

   Why it matters

   The U.S. is currently rebuilding its arsenal amid documented missile shortages. Covenant seeks to disrupt traditional defense procurement by utilizing Silicon Valley investment to create mass-producible, affordable munitions.

   What is confirmed

   • Covenant is backed by Peter Thiel and Andreessen Horowitz.
   • The company has unveiled the Anthem, a low-cost, deep-strike precision cruise missile.
   • Covenant has opened a missile factory in the United States.
   • The startup plans to mass-produce cruise missiles in Germany.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Covenant factories will produce 1,000 missiles each next year with a goal of scaling to 5,000 annually.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of the German factory's operational date
   • Official U.S. government procurement contracts for Anthem missiles
   • Verification of production numbers following the first year of operation
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. CNBC — Andreessen- and Thiel-backed defense startup opens U.S. missile factory as it exits stealth
   2. Financial Times — Thiel-backed start-up to mass-produce ‘deep strike’ missiles in Europe and US
   3. Reuters — Silicon Valley-backed Covenant unveils low-cost, mass-producible cruise missile
   4. Bloomberg — US Startup Plans Mass Production Of Cruise Missiles in Germany
   5. The Jerusalem Post — Covenant emerges from stealth and unveils Anthem, a deep‑strike precision missile
   6. The Washington Post — Peter Thiel-backed firm to make low-cost missiles amid U.S. shortage
   7. Bloomberg — Andreessen Horowitz-Backed Defense Startup Covenant Emerges From Stealth
   8. www.cnbc.com — Humans need to 'surf the wave' of AI rather than get swallowed by it, Chesky says at Communacopia
   9. www.thedailyupside.com — Thiel, Andreessen-backed Defense Startup Promises Cheap Missiles as US Rebuilds Arsenal
   confidence 95%