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Germany’s Future Chancellor Ready to Approve Taurus Cruise Missile Delivery to Ukraine.
On April 14, 2025, Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Germany’s incoming chancellor following the February federal elections, publicly expressed his willingness to deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, marking a break with the more cautious approach adopted by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The statement, broadcast by German public television ARD and reported by the Financial Times, came a day after a deadly Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which Merz described as a war crime. He called for a coordinated military response to exert pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Designed for precision strikes against fortified and strategic targets, the Taurus Cruise missile offers operational ranges beyond 500 kilometers. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Merz emphasized that Germany’s European partners had already taken similar steps. “The British are doing it, the French are doing it, and the Americans are doing it anyway,” he said, referring to the delivery of long-range cruise missiles such as Storm Shadow/SCALP EG by the United Kingdom and France and ATACMS by the United States. The incoming chancellor stressed the importance of not appearing weak in the face of the Kremlin, arguing that only firm measures could influence Moscow’s behavior. He underlined that Western military support should enable Ukraine to regain the initiative on the battlefield, stating, “We must help Ukraine so that Putin understands the dead end of this war.”
The Taurus KEPD 350, developed through a joint venture between Germany’s MBDA Deutschland and Sweden’s Saab Dynamics, is an air-launched cruise missile with a range exceeding 500 kilometers. Equipped with GPS-independent navigation, an infrared seeker, and a precision penetrator warhead, it is designed to destroy protected targets such as bunkers, bridges, and airstrips. Already in service with the air forces of Germany, Spain, and South Korea, the Taurus provides a significant standoff strike capability. Merz has mentioned the possible use of the missile against strategic infrastructure such as the Crimean Bridge, constructed by Russia following its 2014 annexation of the peninsula, considering it a legitimate military target in the context of Ukraine’s defense.
The Taurus KEPD 350 is a long-range, air-launched missile developed by Taurus Systems GmbH, a joint company formed by MBDA Deutschland and Saab Bofors Dynamics. Designed for precision strikes against fortified and strategic targets, it offers operational ranges beyond 500 kilometers. The missile can be integrated into multiple aircraft platforms, including the Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, F/A-18 Hornet, and F-15K. Its stealthy design and terrain-following flight capabilities make it difficult to detect by enemy air defense systems. It is powered by a Williams F121-WR-100 turbofan engine and can be launched from altitudes between 30 and 16,000 meters.
The Taurus carries a 481-kilogram tandem MEPHISTO warhead, designed to breach hardened structures through a pre-charge followed by a main penetrator charge. This warhead features layer-counting and void-sensing technologies, enabling detonation at optimal points within buried or fortified targets. Its guidance system combines inertial navigation, GPS, terrain-referenced navigation, and a terminal infrared seeker, ensuring high-precision targeting even in GPS-denied environments. These features make the Taurus a highly capable system for standoff operations in high-threat scenarios.
Until now, Olaf Scholz had repeatedly refused Ukraine’s requests for the Taurus, citing the risk of escalating the conflict. This position, criticized by several of Germany’s allies and parts of the domestic political landscape, could shift with Merz assuming office. In October 2024, he had already called on the German government to issue an ultimatum to Russia, promising the delivery of cruise missiles to Ukraine within 24 hours if attacks on civilian infrastructure continued. The Sumy strike, which killed at least 34 civilians and injured 117 on Palm Sunday, appears to have reinforced his position.
In his April 14 remarks, Merz stated that any delivery of Taurus missiles should be agreed upon in coordination with European partners. He emphasized the need for a Western consensus to avoid strategic divisions. This multilateral approach would also reinforce the legitimacy of decisions made in response to Russia while ensuring coherence in military assistance to Ukraine.
Merz also expressed skepticism regarding U.S.-led peace efforts, notably those advocated by former President Donald Trump, to influence Russia’s position. According to Merz, Putin does not respond to displays of weakness but to military pressure. “What Putin does to those who talk to him about a ceasefire is Sumy,” he said, suggesting that appeasement strategies are unlikely to succeed in the face of Russian aggression.
A change in Germany’s position on the issue of long-range cruise missiles could mark a significant turning point in Western support for Ukraine. Should Merz follow through on his pledge once in office, Ukraine would gain access to a strategic asset capable of striking high-value military targets deep within Russian logistics networks beyond the front lines. However, such a move would still require political consensus within the coalition, where opinions remain divided over the extent of Germany’s involvement in the conflict.
Friedrich Merz, who is set to succeed Olaf Scholz as chancellor, has reaffirmed his intention to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine, citing the urgency of supporting Kyiv in the face of continued Russian attacks. This shift could align Berlin with its Western partners—provided internal political obstacles are overcome. The debate surrounding the Taurus missile encapsulates the broader tensions between strategic caution and the imperative of military solidarity with Ukraine.