Germany poised to arm Ukraine with advanced Taurus missiles

Discussing the delivery conditions, Merz, the future Chancellor, noted, "Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles." He mentioned the British, French, and Americans as examples, emphasizing that the delivery of Taurus missiles must be agreed upon with other countries and will be coordinated with European partners.

Merz suggested that equipping Ukraine with Taurus missiles could enable attacks on key Russian military targets in Crimea, including the Kerch Bridge. This bridge, approximately 19 kilometres long, is a vital supply route for Russian forces and has been a target of previous Ukrainian attacks, The Kyiv Independent reports.

The Kerch Bridge, constructed after the unlawful annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and completed in 2018, plays a crucial role in Russian military logistics. Merz emphasized that Ukraine should adopt an offensive strategy to "shape events" and "get ahead of the situation" on the battlefield.

The current Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has blocked the delivery of Taurus missiles due to fears of escalating the conflict. However, Merz, criticizing this stance, announced that the decision on deliveries could reappear on the political agenda once he assumes office. It's uncertain, though, whether his future coalition partners from the SPD will support this move.

Merz stressed that he is not advocating for Germany's direct involvement in the war but rather for arming Ukraine in a way that allows it to take the initiative. He emphasized that these deliveries must be coordinated with European allies already supplying Ukraine with cruise missiles.

The Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles are among the most advanced precision weapons available in European air forces. Developed by the German-Swedish company Taurus Systems GmbH, they are designed to strike heavily defended strategic targets deep within enemy territory. This missile type is used by, among others, the German Luftwaffe, the Spanish Air Force, and South Korea, where it is known for being extremely effective and difficult to intercept.

Taurus is an air-to-ground missile, approximately 5 metres long and weighing over 1,300 kilograms. Its operational range extends to at least 500 kilometres, although unofficially it is said to reach up to 600 kilometres. The missile is powered by a turbojet engine, allowing it to travel at subsonic speeds while maintaining a low flight trajectory just above the terrain. This makes it exceptionally difficult for air defence systems to detect and intercept. As a result, it can penetrate zones heavily defended by systems such as the Russian S-300 or S-400.

The missile's key component is its warhead, which weighs 480 kilograms and features Mephisto technology (Multi-Effect Penetrator, Highly Sophisticated and Target Optimized). Designed to breach thick layers of concrete or rock before detonating deep inside the target, this makes Taurus ideal for destroying command bunkers, missile silos, underground ammunition depots, or critical infrastructure like bridges, railway stations, or fuel depots.

For Ukraine, Taurus missiles could be a breakthrough offensive weapon in their conflict with Russia. Their long range would allow precision attacks on Russian logistical and command systems located beyond the reach of most systems currently employed by Kyiv. Taurus missiles could strike airports, ammunition depots, and communication centers from a safe distance without exposing Ukrainian pilots to Russian air defences. This is particularly significant as, according to The Telegraph, these missiles have a greater range than the Storm Shadow missiles provided by the United Kingdom and France, and ATACMS missiles supplied to Ukraine by the USA.