SPD's missile stance: Germany's internal debate on Ukraine aid
In the draft of its program for the early elections, the German SPD party has rejected the possibility of transferring Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. We revisit the characteristics of this weapon, which Kyiv believes would significantly strengthen the Ukrainian army.
The potential transfer of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine is a subject of heated discussions between Kyiv and Berlin and within Germany itself. It is considered a significant issue that has caused a political crisis in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly expressed reluctance to transfer this weapon to Ukraine, a stance reflected in the SPD party's draft program.
They don't want to transfer Taurus missiles to Ukraine
"We uphold Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision not to supply Taurus cruise missiles from the Bundeswehr's reserves," states the draft of the SPD party's electoral program, as quoted by newspapers from the Funke media group.
The Taurus is a German-Swedish long-range cruise missile featuring stealth technology, making it difficult to detect. One of its key features is a range of about 480 kilometres, allowing Ukraine to potentially attack targets within Russian territory.
These missiles are approximately five metres in length and weigh about 1,400 kilograms, with over 500 kilograms being the MEPHISTO (Multi-Effect Penetrator Highly Sophisticated and Target Optimized) warhead. The warhead has high destructive power and versatile capabilities. It can be detonated like a classic fragmentation explosive missile or after penetrating a user-defined number of obstacles, which is why Taurus missiles are often referred to as "bunker busters."
Long-range missiles in Ukrainian hands
Some allied countries are supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons and have already lifted restrictions on attacking targets deep inside Russia. This includes the United States (ATACMS ballistic missiles), the United Kingdom, and France. Gael Veyssiere, the French ambassador to Ukraine, announced at the beginning of December this year that his country intends to continue supplying Ukraine with long-range SCALP-EG cruise missiles.
Meanwhile, the SPD party states that it supports actions such as training Ukrainian soldiers, as well as supplying weaponry and equipment, but with "caution and a sense of proportion." The potential transfer of Taurus cruise missiles is viewed as an action that could lead Germany and NATO to become parties to the war in Ukraine.
