Germany considers sending Taurus missiles to aid Ukraine

Discussing the conditions of the deliveries, Merz reminded that our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles. He cited the British, French, and Americans as examples. He also stressed that the provision of Taurus missiles must be agreed with other countries and carried out in consultation with European partners.

Merz also proposed that supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine could enable attacks on crucial 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 previously been a target of Ukrainian attacks, reports The Kyiv Independent.

The Kerch Bridge, constructed following Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, was completed in 2018 and plays an essential role in Russia's military logistics. Merz emphasised that Ukraine should adopt an offensive posture to "shape events" and "take the initiative" on the battlefield.

The current Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, halted the delivery of Taurus missiles due to fears of escalating the conflict. However, Merz, criticising this stance, suggests that the decision on deliveries may re-emerge on the political agenda once he assumes office. It is uncertain, though, whether his potential 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 manner that enables it to seize the initiative. He underlined that the 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' arsenals. They were developed by the German-Swedish company Taurus Systems GmbH to execute strikes on heavily defended and strategic targets deep within enemy territory. This type of weapon is employed by the German Luftwaffe, the Spanish Air Force, and South Korea, where it has earned a reputation as an extraordinarily effective and hard-to-intercept missile.

Taurus is an air-to-ground missile, approximately 5 metres long and weighing over 1,300 kilograms. Its operational range reaches at least 500 kilometres, although unofficially it is reported to have the capability to strike targets as far as 600 kilometres away. The missile is powered by a turbojet engine, allowing it to travel at subsonic speeds and maintain a very low flight trajectory just above the terrain. This makes it exceptionally difficult for air defence systems to detect and destroy. Consequently, it can penetrate zones heavily defended by systems such as the Russian S-300 or S-400.

The key component of the Taurus is its warhead, weighing 480 kilograms and designed with Mephisto technology (Multi-Effect Penetrator, Highly Sophisticated and Target Optimised). It is a specialised penetrating warhead capable of piercing 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 represent a breakthrough offensive weapon in the war with Russia. Their long range would enable precise attacks on Russian logistical and command backbones situated beyond the reach of most systems currently used by Kyiv. Taurus missiles could strike airports, ammunition depots, and communication centres from a safe distance, without exposing Ukrainian pilots to Russian air defences. Furthermore, as noted by 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.