Britain to support Taurus missiles for Ukraine, with condition – Media

According to sources in the government, the UK is ready to support the German government's decision to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles. This position may also serve as an additional signal of support for the newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who will take office in early May.

“We continue to work with our partners, including Germany, to equip Ukraine as best we can to defend its sovereign territory,” said one of the British officials involved in foreign policy formulation.

Earlier this week, Merz, who leads the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), expressed readiness to supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, but only if the decision is made in coordination with France and the UK.

“Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles. The British are doing it, the French are doing it, and the Americans are doing it anyway... this must be jointly agreed. And if it’s agreed, then Germany should take part,” Mr Merz said earlier this week.

Debates and disagreements

Meanwhile, as reported by CDU member Roderich Kiesewetter, the issue of transferring the Taurus missiles remains a subject of debate within the future coalition with the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

I do not yet see any consensus here, especially as the parties have not agreed on the key security policy issues in the coalition agreement,” said Roderich Kiesewetter.

According to Kiesewetter, Chancellor Scholz's refusal to send the Taurus missiles has only emboldened Moscow.

“The delay and blockade of the delivery of this far-reaching system by Chancellor Scholz was a major mistake and a de facto failure to provide assistance, which has weakened European security and led to more victims in Ukraine,” he said.

He urged the new Chancellor to decide on sending the missiles without ultimatums or preconditions.

“Taurus is and remains a very effective means of destroying Russian command structures and supply routes and thus preventing Russian attacks in advance. It is important that Chancellor Merz orders the delivery immediately and, if possible, without ultimatums or preconditions,” the CDU MP added.

Taurus missile

TAURUS (Target Adaptive Unitary & Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System) is a long-range air-to-surface cruise missile.

It was developed and produced by Taurus Systems GmbH, a joint venture of MBDA Deutschland (formerly known as LFK - Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH) and the Swedish company Saab Bofors Dynamics AB.

The missile has been in service with the Bundeswehr since 2005 and is designed for highly accurate strikes on well-protected and deeply embedded targets, including point and extended objects. Its warhead structure is designed to penetrate concrete and hard soil, allowing the Taurus to destroy fortified structures, such as underground concrete bunkers.

Taurus is capable of striking targets deep within Russian territory. Its potential transfer is considered critical for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' capabilities. Experts have repeatedly stated that Taurus could be used to damage and destroy the Crimean Bridge.

Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz consistently refused to provide Taurus to Ukraine, fearing a potential escalation that could lead Berlin into direct conflict with Moscow.

Friedrich Merz has regularly stated his readiness to supply this type of missile to Ukraine, but he wants the decision to be agreed upon with other European countries.

Officials in Kyiv hope to receive Taurus from Germany after Merz takes office.