Germany’s Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles could enhance Ukraine’s ability to strike high-value targets deep behind Russian lines – if Berlin overcomes its reluctance.
Ukraine has repeatedly requested these precision-guided weapons to hit high-value targets far behind Russian lines. Now, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, has signaled openness to supplying Taurus missiles to Kyiv – but only in coordination with European partners.
Merz’s remarks have renewed a debate that has defined much of Germany’s military assistance to Ukraine: the balance between strengthening Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities, and avoiding steps that Moscow might view as crossing a “red line.” The Kremlin has already warned that delivering Taurus missiles would lead to “further escalation” of the war.
But beyond the political signaling and threats, the discussion also reflects a practical reality for Ukraine’s armed forces. Kyiv’s stockpiles of long-range Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG missiles, supplied by the UK and France, are reportedly diminishing after months of use.
Future deliveries from Western partners face challenges due to limited stocks, political hesitancy, and increasing uncertainty regarding continued military support, particularly from the United States.
Merz signals shift in Berlin’s stance
Speaking to German broadcaster ARD, Merz, expected to take office as Germany’s next chancellor, made it repeatedly clear he stands by calls to equip Ukraine with long-range missiles.
Merz stressed that any Taurus delivery “has to be coordinated” with European allies and be part of a joint package, but if allies agree, “then Germany should take part”.. He argued that Ukraine needs the capability to “get ahead of the situation” on the battlefield, implying that proactive deep-strike options are required to seize the initiative.
Merz’s comments came after a Russian missile attack during a Palm Sunday celebration in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which he called “a serious war crime.” The attack left at least 34 civilians dead and 117 wounded.
“There were two waves of attacks, and the second came while rescuers were treating victims,” Merz commented. “This is the answer, this is what Putin does to those who discuss a ceasefire with him.”
Merz’s stance marks a clear departure from Scholz, who blocked any Taurus transfer during his term, citing concerns that deep strikes inside Russia could draw Germany into the war. Scholz had explicitly vowed not to send cruise missiles, citing fears of escalation and public unease.
Now, with the UK, France, and the US loosening restrictions on long-range weapons, a Merz-led government appears ready to align with that approach.
Pushback from German defense minister Pistorius
The plan, however, has been met with skepticism by outgoing German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who is likely to retain his seat in the upcoming government.
Speaking at a Social Democratic Party (SPD) conference in Hanover, Pistorius cautioned that while there are strong arguments for sending Taurus missiles, “there are also many strong arguments against it.” He added that some of those concerns cannot be shared publicly.
“I don’t know of any European partner that has such a system,” Pistorius commented. “That’s why coordination is problematic.”
The Taurus KEPD 350 is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile jointly developed by Germany’s MBDA Deutschland and Sweden’s Saab Bofors Dynamics through their joint venture, TAURUS Systems. Launched in the mid-1990s, the program aimed to equip the German Air Force with a deep-strike capability. The missile entered service in the early 2000s and is currently operated by Germany, South Korea, and Spain.
The Kremlin has been quick to denounce the possibility of Taurus missiles reaching Ukraine. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov singled out Merz’s statements as taking a “tougher position” that “will inevitably lead only to a further escalation” of the war, and he claimed that European capitals are “not inclined to look for ways to reach peace talks” but are instead intent on instigating the continuation of the conflict.
This familiar rhetoric of Moscow’s “red lines” echoes the strategic threat that long-range cruise missiles pose to Russia’s forces. The Russian Defense Ministry had previously issued similar dire warnings when the UK and France supplied Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles to Ukraine, though in practice, those deliveries did not trigger the drastic escalation that Moscow threatened.
Taurus vs. Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG
Both the German-Swedish Taurus KEPD 350 and the Anglo-French Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG are air-launched stealth cruise missiles designed to destroy high-value targets from long standoff ranges.
Ukraine’s air force has successfully integrated Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles onto its Soviet-era Su-24 strike aircraft, giving Kyiv a reach of over 300 kilometers (185 miles) to hit Russian positions.
The SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow missiles carry a heavy 450 kg dual-charge penetrating warhead, effective against hardened structures. Ukraine has already demonstrated the value of long-range cruise missiles by using Storm Shadow/SCALP to hit Russian bases and infrastructure that were previously out of reach.
In 2023, Ukrainian strikes with these missiles seriously damaged the Chonhar Bridge linking Crimea to Russian-occupied Kherson, as well as Russian naval vessels at the port of Sevastopol.
Dozens of these missiles have been provided by Britain and France, but Ukraine’s stockpiles have been dwindling after months of use. In late 2024, the UK quietly delivered “dozens” more Storm Shadows to replenish Ukraine’s “diminishing stockpile” of long-range weapons, underscoring the pressing need for additional deep-strike munitions.
Where Taurus has the edge
For Ukraine, the Taurus missile offers a similar class of capability – and in some respects, an upgrade. With an operational range around 500 kilometers (and reportedly even beyond), the Taurus can potentially strike targets farther than the Storm Shadow can.
Both missiles navigate to their targets via a combination of inertial navigation and GPS guidance, augmented by terrain-reference systems that allow them to skim at low altitude and avoid radar detection. Where the Taurus truly shines is in its warhead and fuzing technology.
Like Storm Shadow, it carries a two-stage tandem warhead intended to penetrate bunkers or thick structures: a small precursor charge blasts an initial hole, allowing the main charge to enter before detonating.
However, the Taurus employs a more advanced “layer-counting and void-detection” fuze system. This means the missile can detect when it has penetrated through layers of a building or fortification and only then ignite the primary explosive at the optimal point. By contrast, the Storm Shadow’s warhead triggers its second blast on a preset delay timer after impact.
The Taurus fuze yields higher precision in destroying reinforced targets: for example, it can burrow through a bridge’s concrete span and detonate right on the supporting pillar. This capability makes Taurus effective against hardened targets like bunkers, command centers, and deeply buried ammunition depots that might withstand a standard strike.
One high-profile target, explicitly cited by Merz, is the Kerch Bridge (or Crimean Bridge), the 19-km span connecting Russia to Crimea, which Moscow relies on as a primary supply route. The bridge has been attacked multiple times, including by a truck bomb and Ukraine’s naval drones, but has not been permanently knocked out.
Introducing Taurus missiles would not only complement Ukraine’s existing arsenal but also help offset several growing shortfalls.
The United States supplied a limited number of ATACMS ballistic missiles in 2024, which Ukraine successfully used to target Russian airbases and runways. However, continued US military assistance has become increasingly uncertain under President Donald Trump’s administration, with new weapons deliveries effectively frozen and existing stockpiles dwindling.
If approved for delivery, Germany’s Taurus missiles could address a critical and timely need by providing Ukraine with essential deep-strike capabilities, especially when resupply from the UK and France is limited and support from the United States becomes increasingly uncertain.
