Britain is ready to support the transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, but there is a condition

The UK government will support the transfer of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The final decision lies with Germany, where disputes over this issue are still ongoing. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to The Telegraph.

Illustrative photo

According to government sources, Britain is ready to support the German government's decision to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles. This position could be an additional signal of London's support for newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who will take office in early May.

"We continue to work with our partners, including Germany, to provide Ukraine with everything it needs to protect its sovereign territory," a British official involved in foreign policy formation said in a comment to the publication.

Earlier this week, Merz, who leads the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, expressed his willingness to provide Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, but only if a coordinated decision is reached with France and the United Kingdom.

"Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles. The British are doing it, the French are doing it, and the Americans are doing it too... This has to be a coordinated solution. And if it is reached, Germany should join in," the future head of government said.

Discussions and disputes

Meanwhile, as reported by CDU MP Roderich Kiesewetter, the issue of transferring Taurus remains a subject of controversy in the future coalition with the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

"I don't see agreement here, especially given the fact that the parties still haven't agreed on key security policy issues in the coalition agreement," he said.

According to Kiesewetter, the Scholz government's refusal to hand over the Taurus missiles only emboldened Moscow.

"The delay in the transfer of this long-range system was a serious mistake that weakened European security and led to new victims in Ukraine," the MP noted.

He called on the new chancellor to make a decision on the transfer of weapons without ultimatums or preconditions.

"Taurus remains an extremely effective means of destroying Russian command posts and logistics. This makes it possible to prevent future attacks. It is important that Chancellor Merz makes a decision immediately," Kiesewetter said.

Rocket Taurus

TAURUS (Target Adaptive Unitary & Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System) is a long-range air-to-surface aircraft cruise missile.

It was developed and manufactured by Taurus Systems GmbH, a joint venture between MBDA Deutschland (better known as LFK - Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH) and the Swedish company Saab Bofors Dynamics AB.

The missile has been in service with the Bundeswehr since 2005 and is designed for high-precision engagement of highly protected and deep-seated targets, including point and extended targets. The warhead structure is designed to penetrate concrete and heavy soil, allowing the Taurus to destroy fortified targets, such as underground concrete bunkers.

The Taurus is capable of striking targets deep inside Russia. Its potential transfer is considered critical to the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Experts have repeatedly stated that the Taurus could be used to damage and destroy the Crimean Bridge.

Previous German Chancellor Olaf Scholz consistently refused to provide Taurus to Ukraine, fearing a possible escalation that could drag Berlin into direct conflict with Moscow.

Friedrich Merz regularly declares his readiness to transfer this type of missiles for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

At the same time, he wants such a decision to be agreed with other European countries.

Official Kyiv hopes to receive the Taurus from Germany after Merz takes office.

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