Ukraine War: Taurus delivery to Ukraine remains an explosive topic

Panzer, artillery, fighter planes – since the beginning of the Ukraine war in February 2022, the delivery of certain weapons systems in Germany has been controversial. However, nothing was discussed longer and more heated than the support of the country attacked by Russia with Taurus marching aircraft. Ukraine demands them. The executive Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) refuses to. And his expected successor Friedrich Merz (CDU) – does he deliver it?

What makes Taurus so interesting for Ukraine?

The Taurus KEPD-350 is considered one of the most modern missiles in the Bundeswehr. With a range of up to 500 kilometers, pilots do not have to penetrate enemy airspace to fire it. The approximately five -meter -long, almost 1,400 kilogram missiles are equipped with their own engine and four independent navigation systems. In autonomous low flight at less than 50 meters, it is difficult to hit the opposing air defense.

According to the Bundeswehr, “strongly hardened target structures” such as bunker systems can be broken during the surcharge. The 480 kilogram explosive head system Mephisto should explode there. The weapon system is used, among other things, with the fighter planes Tornado and Eurofighter.

Ukraine could also attack destinations in the Russian field with the marching air bodies, such as military bases, of which Russia starts its attacks with rockets and drones. The bridge to the Crimean peninsula would also be a potential goal. Taurus marching missiles could also fly to Moscow.

Does Ukraine already have similar weapons systems?

Yes. Great Britain has delivered the Storm Shadow motor missile, France the identical system Scalp. This is also the extent to goals such as bunkers or critical infrastructures for precision attacks. They are used by fighter planes such as Eurofighter, Tornado, Rafale and Mirage 2000 and have a range of over 250 kilometers. This means that their range is significantly below that of the taurus.

In addition, the USA of Ukraine has delivered Atacms short-range missiles that are fired from the ground. Their range is up to 300 kilometers. After shooting, they fly a ballistic curve and then detonate on the ground. Although they are difficult to intercept, they are much less precise than a marching missile.

Why doesn’t Scholz don’t want to deliver the Taurus?

Scholz’s central argument against the delivery of Taurus systems is: Germany then runs the risk of being drawn into war, which has to be prevented. Everything should be done so that “we do not become a war party,” said Scholz in the Bundestag last November. “I am against the fact that weapons we deliver can be shot far into Russian territory.”

In February 2024, Scholz explained at the DPA editor-in-chief conference: “At no point and in no place we must not be linked to the goals that this system reaches.” At the time, Scholz said that a participation of German staff would be necessary for the use, which was out of the question. “What is done in target control and accompanying the target control on the part of the British and French cannot be done in Germany.”

What is the position of Merz?

The future Federal Chancellor Merz had already asked as an opposition leader to help Ukraine with Taurus. This could destroy supplies that Moscow used to bomb the civilian population in Ukraine was his argument.

In the ARD show “Caren Miosga”, Merz now emphasized when asked whether his willingness to support Ukraine with the marching air bodies still applies: “Yes, I said it as I meant. Not that we intervene ourselves in this war, but that we are equipping the Ukrainian army with such weapons.” However, he always said that he would only do so in coordination with the European partners. “This has to be coordinated, and if it is coordinated, then Germany should participate.”

Is the Taurus topic in the coalition agreement between the Union and SPD?

No. There it only says: “We will support Ukraine comprehensively, so that they can effectively defend themselves against the Russian aggressor and assert itself in negotiations.” Elsewhere, it is said that Ukraine, as a strong, democratic and sovereign state, determines independent and with euro-Atlantic perspective about its future, is of central importance for our own security. “We will therefore substantially strengthen and reliably continue our military, civilian and political support of Ukraine together with partners.”

Does the SPD change your position now?

That is still open. But at least one skeptical attitude remains. The executive Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (SPD) said at an SPD conference in Hanover that there are good arguments for the delivery of Taurus, but there are also “many arguments against it”. Only part of it could be discussed publicly.

The SPD-Linke Ralf Stegner criticized Merz for his recent statements: “The public discussion of such questions such as the use of individual weapons systems was and remains unreasonable,” he told the “Tagesspiegel”. Incidentally, the efforts to end the war as soon as possible and to come to a sustainable peace of peace should be priority.

Will the taurus become a bastow apple in a black and red coalition?

That is still open. The CDU foreign politician Johann WadePhul relies on agreement with the SPD. “Friedrich Merz has repeated his willingness to use the Taurus as a lever for a change in a political change through Russia. This is an important signal,” he told Bayern. “The SPD also knows – not least since the renewed Russian war crimes in Sumy – that you have to deal with Putin differently.”