Under its new chancellor, Germany has signaled its continued military support for Kiev
Germany’s long-range Taurus missiles have become the subject of ongoing political drama. Ukraine’s president has repeatedly requested that former Chancellor Olaf Scholz deliver these cruise missiles. However, Scholz has held back. He claimed that supplying a weapon with a 500-kilometer range was «too much». He asked why Ukrainian soldiers needed such capabilities when the UK and France had already provided similar Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles. For Scholz, delivering TAURUS missiles was one of the last «red lines» that the ruling Traffic Light Coalition (SPD–Greens–FDP) was unwilling to cross.
Recently, new Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the UK, France, and the US had lifted range restrictions on their weapons deliveries to Ukraine at the end of last year. This allows Kiev to theoretically strike deep into Russian territory without prior approval. Germany, he implied, had adopted the same position. Merz added that providing Ukraine with TAURUS missiles is «within the realm of possibility».
However, Vice Chancellor and Social Democratic Party leader Lars Klingbeil, a staunch Scholz loyalist, was quick to clarify that Berlin’s position on these missiles remains unchanged. This subtle rebuttal hints at what could become the first serious policy rift in the current «grand coalition» government.
Merz was forced to backtrack, stating that delivering long-range weapons to Ukraine is not currently planned, citing the lengthy training time required for Ukrainian personnel (several months). He also stressed that any future discussions on TAURUS shipments would remain confidential.
Now, let’s talk about the weapon itself. The TAURUS is a modern cruise missile developed by Taurus Systems GmbH, a joint venture between Germany’s MBDA Deutschland and Sweden’s Saab Bofors Dynamics AB. Designed for precision strikes against hardened or underground targets, the TAURUS has a maximum range of up to 500 kilometers — compared to the 300-kilometer range of Britain’s Storm Shadow and France’s SCALP.
There are several TAURUS variants, including lighter models with ranges of 150 and 350 kilometers. In Ukraine’s case, the missiles are air-to-ground, meaning they must be launched from aircraft. Currently, the Ukrainian Air Force deploys them using aging Su-24 frontline bombers. Western estimates suggest Ukraine has fewer than ten of these aircraft remaining. The country also has F-16, but Kiev has been reluctant to use them.
The TAURUS isn’t especially fast, cruising at 800 km/h and reaching a maximum speed of 1,100 km/h, but it compensates with its ability to fly at low altitudes throughout its entire trajectory. It uses autonomous TRN and IBN navigation systems, allowing it to operate without satellite guidance and making it resistant to Russian electronic warfare systems that might otherwise jam GPS signals.
The missile entered service in 2004. About 600 units were purchased for the German military a decade ago. Around 150 are currently operational, and the rest are in storage and require maintenance. Their exact configurations remain undisclosed. Nevertheless, the potential supply pool is substantial — between 200 and 300 missiles. Each one costs approximately $1 million.
On May 28, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky traveled to Berlin for his first visit under Germany’s new government. He thanked Germany for its military aid, Trump-style, but made it clear that Kiev needed more. High on his wish list are TAURUS missiles.
Despite reporters pressing him, Merz dodged the issue at the closing press conference. The German government has classified information about specific arms transfers. Most likely, Zelensky returned to Kiev empty-handed — at least regarding the TAURUS issue.
Still, he didn’t leave with nothing. Berlin and Kiev signed a new defense cooperation agreement. Germany pledged to help produce long-range weapons in Ukraine. Specifically, this refers to improving Ukraine’s drone and missile capabilities. As Merz pointed out, these types of weapons have no range restrictions. Some German journalists speculated that Merz’s comments about «lifting limitations» referred to this initiative primarily.
The new German aid package, which has already been approved by the Bundeswehr, totals €5 billion. Of that, €400 million is earmarked for upgrading Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities.
Zelensky was expected at the Aachen Peace Prize ceremony on May 29. Who won it? Close — it went to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EU’s «chief peacemaker». Zelensky didn’t show up. Perhaps he was frustrated over the TAURUS issue, or perhaps it was due to escalating Russian offensives in Ukraine’s Sumy region, as German media speculated.
Regarding Merz’s wavering stance, the Kremlin has made its position clear: flooding Ukraine with weapons, especially long-range ones, will only undermine prospects for peace. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that all military shipments to the Ukrainian Armed Forces would be considered legitimate targets.
It seems the new chancellor may not be starting off on the right foot. Germany should focus on peace and national security.