Production of Taurus Cruise Missiles Stopped After No New Orders from German Government

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – European defence company, MBDA has decides to stop the production of  “Taurus” long-range cruise missiles after it did not receive any new orders for the highly-effective cruise missiles from German government.

Quoted by German media recently, head of MBDA’s subsidiary in Germany, Thomas Gottschild stated that they cannot continue manufacturing the cruise missiles even for stockpile.

According to Gottschild, the production of Taurus cruise missiles can only proceed upon receiving orders.

“It poses a challenge to the industry when production is disrupted, as in the case of the Taurus cruise missiles. In our case, our suppliers, which are small and medium-sized companies, have to halt production due to the absence of orders,” he said.

He further explained that the defense industry requires large-scale production to maintain the supply chain, ensure testing equipment is in optimal condition, and uphold the knowledge and effectiveness of workers at the highest level.

However, Gottschild noted that the company will shift its focus to producing approximately 1,000 guided missiles for the “Patriot” air defense system following orders received from several European countries.

MBDA will collaborate with Raytheon in producing the Patriot missiles through Raytheon’s defense facility in Schrobenhausen, Germany.

“The company will produce the first Patriot guided missiles within a three-year period,” Gottschild stated.

The German government’s decision in February not to allow the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine further hindered MBDA’s production of the missiles.

The Ukrainian military sought Taurus cruise missiles from Germany to counter Russian forces and disrupt their supply routes.

Berlin feared that approving the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine would drag Germany into open warfare with Russia.

“It’s a weapon with profound impact, as seen with Britain and France sending Storm Shadow and SCALP cruise missiles to Ukraine. It’s something Germany cannot do. Germany cannot be associated with what this weapon (Taurus) can do. Therefore, delivering the weapon (to Ukraine) is not on the agenda (of the German government),” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to reporters in Berlin in February.

Scholz opted not to succumb to pressure from various parties seeking German approval for the delivery of long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, emphasizing his responsibility to ensure Germany does not become involved in the long-drawn conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Additionally, all three long-range cruise missiles – Taurus, Storm Shadow, and SCALP – have similar characteristics.

 They weigh between 1,300kg to 1,400kg and can engage targets up to 500km away.

However, the Taurus cruise missile utilizes the “Programmable Intelligent Multi-Purpose Fuze (PIMPF),” while the Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles use the Multi-Application Fuze Initiation System (MAFIS).

Military analysts suggest that the use of PIMPF fuzes by the German-made Taurus cruise missile enables more precise and effective targeting of structures like bridges compared to MAFIS fuzes used by the Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles.

If Ukraine were supplied with long-range Taurus cruise missiles by Germany, it would provide Kiev with the capability to target the Kerch Bridge, connecting Russia to Crimea, which is occupied by Russian forces.

Ukraine has targeted the Kerch Bridge multiple times, which serves as a vital logistics link for Russian forces in Crimea, but has failed to destroy the crucial bridge.

Scholz stated that as Chancellor, he is responsible for ensuring Germany does not become a party to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Furthermore, another reason Germany is hesitant to supply long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine is the concern that the advanced cruise missiles may fall into the hands of Russia, thereby exposing its cutting-edge technology which could be exploited by Russian experts. — DSA