The German government’s ruling coalition is supporting Defence Minister Boris Pistorius’ plan for the development and purchase of 600 advanced Taurus Neo cruise missiles valued at $2.3 billion, an anonymous source told Reuters. Der Spiegel magazine, which broke the story on the minister’s plan, reported that the project’s initial allocation of about $378.4 million had been posted as an option in Berlin’s 2025 budget, with the bulk of the funding to be secured starting in 2029.
The European defense firm MBDA, Leonardo and BAE System are manufacturing the long-range Taurus missiles, 600 of which are already in use in the German military arsenal. Swedish defense company Saab has also collaborated with MBDA in the Taurus program. The range of the missile extends to over 500 kilometers, and it can be launched from Tornado jet fighters as well as the F-15 and the F-18.
Pistorius’ initiative comes amid Ukraine’s persistent requests for the Taurus, with Russian long-range missiles targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructures. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly turned down the requests, however, amid fears that Ukraine will offensively use Taurus against targets within Russia.
The Kremlin has warned Germany that providing Kyiv with cruise missiles would trigger further tension in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Britain and France have provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow and Scalp cruise missiles.