German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has set his sights on a significant upgrade for Germany’s missile capabilities. He plans to acquire 600 new Taurus Neo cruise missiles, an advanced variant of Germany’s existing Taurus missiles. This initiative comes as Ukraine intensifies its appeals for Germany to provide such long-range weapons, which could be instrumental in targeting Russia’s deep-seated military installations. Despite his ambitions, Pistorius faces significant financial hurdles, with no confirmed funding yet to launch the project.
Currently, Germany possesses around 600 Taurus missiles in its inventory. These weapons, manufactured by MBDA, can reach over 500 km (311 miles), designed to penetrate high-value targets well behind enemy lines. From the air, these missiles can be deployed by aircraft like the Tornado and F-15, giving the German forces a robust counterstrike option. Each Taurus missile is specifically designed for precision attacks on critical infrastructure: command centers, ammunition depots, airstrips, bridges, and other strategically vital points. The effectiveness of the Taurus is partly due to its bunker-busting capability, which enables it to destroy hardened targets and reduce the adversary’s ability to coordinate or resupply.
This capability becomes increasingly critical as Russia continues its missile campaign in Ukraine, often targeting civilian infrastructure. In contrast, Ukraine’s response capacity is limited by the lack of comparable long-range weapons. Pistorius’s interest in the Taurus Neo is thus timely but may take time to materialize. The new variant, Taurus Neo, promises enhanced capabilities and is expected to cost around €2.1 billion for 600 units. Pistorius aims to start securing funding by 2025, initially needing €350 million to get the project moving. If the budget allows, the bulk of the payments would be scheduled to flow starting in 2029, with the first deliveries anticipated that same year.
While Germany’s inventory already holds hundreds of Taurus missiles, Ukraine’s persistent requests for long-range weapons have placed the German government in a difficult position. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly declined to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, citing the risk that their extended range might be used to strike within Russian borders, potentially escalating the conflict. The Kremlin has already expressed concern over the possibility of Germany or any Western allies providing Ukraine with such long-range capabilities, warning that such a move could lead to increased "spiraling tension" in the region.
Other NATO allies, including Britain and France, have recently supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow and Scalp missiles—long-range options that Kyiv’s forces have successfully adapted to Soviet-era aircraft. This demonstrates Ukraine's determination and adaptability in modernizing its military arsenal, even if only with limited assistance from the West. But Germany has thus far remained cautious, mindful of the potential consequences of directly arming Ukraine with weapons capable of deep strikes within Russian-held territory.
The debate over providing long-range missiles to Ukraine continues to test Germany’s political stance, particularly as both domestic and international pressures grow. Pistorius's push for the Taurus Neo underscores Germany's commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities. However, the significant financial outlay and the complex political implications make this a challenging goal. Whether the project will secure the required budget in 2025 remains uncertain, but it clearly reflects Germany’s intent to keep its defenses well-prepared and modernized, even as geopolitical tensions rise.
——— End of Article ———
