Germany opts for self-made rocket technology, abandoning Taurus procurement
Germany Pledges Support for Ukraine's Production of Long-Range Weapons
BERLIN—Following a meeting between German Chancellor Frederick Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Germany has pledged to aid Ukraine in the production of long-range weapons. Chancellor Merz indicated that the goal is to enable long-range weapons and joint production, according to a statement released after the meeting held in Berlin. Defense ministers from both nations reached a concrete agreement on arms cooperation during the visit.
Ukraine seeks long-range weapons to target Russian airfields and supply lines situated far behind the frontlines, even on Russian territory. The possibility of Germany delivering Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine seems less likely with Germany's proposed assistance in manufacturing Ukrainian weapons but it is not completely ruled out. Notably, Britain, France, and the United States have already supplied Ukraine with such weapons.
Two years ago, Zelenskyy requested the Taurus cruise missile with a range of 500 kilometers from then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), but the request was denied due to fears of dragging Germany into the conflict. Chancellor Merz, during his time as opposition leader, had promised Ukraine the precision weapon, potentially capable of striking targets in Moscow. However since forming a government with the SPD, Merz has shown more caution and has kept individual weapons systems off the public agenda, making it unlikely for an agreement on Taurus to surface.
In the meantime, Ukraine produces weapons with greater destructive power. Ukraine's most potent weapon to date is the anti-ship missile R-360 Neptune, which sank the Russian cruiser Moskva in the Black Sea in 2022. According to information from the defense ministry, Neptune-MD has a range of 1,000 kilometers and is scheduled for serial production by 2024. The cruise missile is also used against land targets.
Ukraine's own Hrim-2 (Thunder-2) rocket, with a range of 450 kilometers, and the Korshun rocket and other weapons of various ranges are under development.
The nature of German support is yet to be fully disclosed, but it is expected to involve financing existing projects in Ukraine and cooperation on an industrial level. The Ministry of Defense announced that a significant number of long-range weapons can still be produced this year, with the first systems likely to be deployed within a few weeks.
Without disclosing specific details, Merz stated that Russia's refusal to engage in talks and refusal to hold a ceasefire will have consequences as a result of the aid provided.
The debate over Taurus remains ongoing, with Ukraine continuing to push for the delivery of this weapon. In response to a question regarding the Ukrainian army's need for Taurus, Zelensky stated that long-range weapons produced by Germany and other countries are still needed, and the topic will be discussed further.
Military expert Fabian Hoffmann suggests that 80 to 90% of Russian targets can be successfully fought with Ukrainian weapons, but Western cruise missiles are particularly effective against heavily protected or buried targets. Taurus missiles, in particular, are suitable for the destruction of highly strategic targets such as the Kerch Bridge due to their high-effective penetrative warhead and programmable fuse.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov accused Merz of attempting to prolong the war with his statements about the aid for rocket production, thereby hindering diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the conflict.
Merz continues to support efforts to find a diplomatic solution, but has expressed doubts about a swift resolution at the negotiating table. He acknowledged that the war might unfold over a longer duration.
Technology developments in Ukraine's weapons production, backed by Germany's industrial cooperation and financing, could potentially increase the destructive power of Ukrainian weapons, such as the production of Neptune-MD missiles with a range of 1000 kilometers. Additionally, politics surrounding the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles, which have a range of 500 kilometers and are effective against heavily protected targets, remains a topic of ongoing discussion between Ukraine and Germany, with Ukraine expressing a need for such long-range weapons in their arsenal.
