Germany to overhaul all its Taurus missiles arsenal - Media
Germany to put all its Taurus missiles on alert (mbda.deutschland.de)
The German government has decided to overhaul all long-range Taurus missiles currently in the arsenal of the Bundeswehr, with plans for modernization also on the agenda, according to Die Welt.
The Bundeswehr aims to refurbish its entire Taurus arsenal, presenting a promising opportunity for the government. On Thursday, the Bundestag is set to vote again on supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
All missiles will undergo thorough inspections, with those whose certification has expired being sent for extensive repairs.
Germany's missile arsenal
Reportedly, Germany's armed forces possess approximately 600 Taurus missiles produced by MBDA, although the exact number is classified.
However, only half of them are currently considered operational following technical upgrades in 2018, with others having expired certifications.
Taurus for Ukraine
Ukraine has been requesting Taurus long-range missiles from Germany since last year, capable of targeting objectives up to 500 kilometers away.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been among the staunchest opponents of supplying this weaponry to Kyiv, citing various reasons. Among them is the concern over potential strikes by Kyiv against Russian territory.
It was reported earlier in March that the opposition faction CDU/CSU intends to reintroduce a resolution in the Bundestag urging the government to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles.
The United Kingdom is willing to assist Germany in bridging differences and supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine. One possibility being considered is for Germany to transfer Taurus missiles to the UK, which would then provide Ukraine with a new batch of long-range Storm Shadow missiles.
