In the war against Russia, Ukraine is hoping for further deliveries of weapons from Germany – such as long-range missiles and cruise missiles of the “Taurus” type.
The “Taurus” is around five meters long and carries around half a ton of explosives. If it is shot down by a fighter plane, it flies to the target up to 500 kilometers away using one engine. How could this weapon system help Ukraine?
Bunker busting system
Ukraine could use these bunker-busting weapon systems to destroy Russian supply lines, ammunition depots or behind-the-line command posts. The Ukrainian ambassador in Berlin, Oleksii Makeiew, renewed the long-cherished wish in several interviews, including one in the “Welt” over the weekend: “We are counting on German ‘Taurus’ rockets. Hopefully this time we can shorten the debate part and thus save lives rescue.”
The federal government has so far refused delivery
The part of the debate, ie the discussion about “Taurus” deliveries, began at the beginning of May. But the federal government has said no several times since then. For example, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a summit in the Republic of Moldova in June that the focus was on tank deliveries and air defense, while “Taurus” deliveries were not an issue. “I spoke about the things that are now possible and that we are dealing with,” said the SPD politician.
Great Britain has been supplying Ukraine with a comparable “Storm Shadow” cruise missile since mid-May. At the NATO summit in Vilnius in mid-July, France declared that it would also surrender such cruise missiles. On the other hand, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius again gave a clear no to “Taurus” in Vilnius. “We have no intention of changing our position,” said the SPD politician.
Union, FDP and Greens demand delivery to Kiev
In view of the faltering counter-offensive, calls from various quarters are growing louder for Ukraine to be supplied with “Taurus” cruise missiles in the near future. The Bundeswehr has received a total of 600 pieces since 2004. Some of this could go to Ukraine, CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter has been demanding for some time. “We are upgrading the defective ‘Taurus’ – 450 units – so that the Ukraine is able to liberate Crimea and cut off the Russian supply lines,” says Kiesewetter.
Similar demands also come from the FDP. The deputy leader of the Greens parliamentary group, Agnieszka Brugger, said on Deutschlandfunk on Tuesday that she had been promoting the delivery of the cruise missiles internally for months. Germany should also do everything possible to support Ukraine when it comes to longer ranges.
2023-08-01 22:49:02
#Taurus #missiles #Ukraine #Pressure #Berlin #growing
