MBDA’s Taurus Cruise Missiles for Ukraine Likely

The German government is reportedly in talks with MBDA over the transfer of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

This was reported by Reuters, which cited a security source.

Low-flying cruise missiles such as the Taurus are hard to detect by air defence radars. Taurus has a range of more than 500km and is launched by fighter jets such as the Tornado, the F-15 or the F-18. It is mainly used to hit high-value targets behind enemy lines such as command bunkers, ammunitions and fuel dumps, airfields and bridges.

"Germany is focusing on heavy artillery, armored vehicles and air defense systems. There is no new information on the Taurus cruise missile," a German government spokesperson told Reuters.

The UK and France have supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow (SCALP) cruise missiles, which it fires from modified Soviet-made aircraft.