(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Germany has decided not to supply the “Taurus” cruise missiles to Ukraine due to concerns that the delivery of these highly sought-after guided missiles to Kiev could escalate the conflict between Ukraine and Russia further.
Speaking to the German media, Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the decision on whether European countries would allow the delivery of the Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine requires further examination.
He also mentioned that the decision regarding the “Taurus” cruise missiles touches on the country’s constitution.
“The decision regarding Taurus cruise missiles requires careful consideration because we need to ensure that it does not further escalate the war between Russia and Ukraine, and that Germany does not get entangled in the conflict itself,” said the German leader when asked by the media recently.
German media outlets have stated that Chancellor Scholz’s primary concern regarding the supply of Taurus guided missiles to Ukraine is that it may also require providing Geo-Data information about Russian targets to the Ukrainian military.
If Germany does provide Geo-Data information about Russian targets to Ukraine, it would mean that Germany is taking a more active role in the conflict.
Chancellor Scholz is concerned that the Ukrainian military may use the Taurus cruise missiles to attack the Kerch Bridge, which connects the Crimean Peninsula to Russia.
The Taurus cruise missile, developed by the German company MBDA and Saab from Sweden, is capable of accurately hitting targets at a range of 500km to 600km.
“The Taurus cruise missile can assist the Ukrainian military in dealing with the field fortifications laid out by the Russian military, which hinder the advance of Kiev’s forces,” he said.
Ukraine and several European countries, especially Britain, have been pressuring Germany to allow the delivery of the Taurus cruise missiles to the country as soon as possible to enable their immediate use in counter-attacks against Russian positions.
Kiev aims to complement the German-made Taurus cruise missiles with the cruise missiles already in its possession, namely “Storm Shadow” and “SCALP-EG.”
Storm Shadow cruise missiles are supplied by Britain, while SCALP-EG is supplied by France.
Both the British and French-made cruise missiles allow the Ukrainian military to target Russian military facilities such as ammunition depots and command centers located far from the front lines.
The presence of the “Taurus” cruise missiles is highly demanded by Ukraine at this time to “rescue” its summer counter-attack operations in the southern part of the country, which have not shown significant success so far.
Many parties, both in the West and in Russia itself, have stated that Ukraine’s counter-attacks against Russian positions at this time have not shown any positive developments due to Moscow’s strong defense.
Key leaders of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany currently want the “Taurus” cruise missiles to be supplied promptly to Ukraine, following difficulties faced by their troops in penetrating Russia’s defense lines.
“The counter-attacks (by Ukraine) are facing problems at the moment. Ukraine lacks the air power to support its troops in counter-attacks,” said SPD parliament member Andreas Schawrz to Der Spiegel newspaper. — DSA
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