UK Ready to Back Germany’s Taurus MissileTransfer to Ukraine

The United Kingdom is ready to supports Germany in the potential transfer of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, The Telegraph reports, citing its own sources.

While it was prepared to back any German decision to send the missiles, it says the final decision remains with Berlin, where discussions are still ongoing. London’s support could also serve as an important signal to Germany’s incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is set to take office in early May.

A UK source told The Telegraph: “We continue to work with our partners, including Germany, to equip Ukraine as best we can to defend its sovereign territory.

Taurus is a powerful cruise missile system capable of striking targets deep within Russian territory, making it a potential game-changer for Ukraine’s military capabilities.

Germany’s refusal under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine has caused frustration in the UK and France, both of which had already provide Kyiv with long-range missile support – including Britain’s Storm Shadow and France’s SCALP systems.

Earlier this week Kyiv Post reported that Friedrich Merz said Berlin is prepared to supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles – but only in coordination with European allies.

“I have always said that I would do this, but only in coordination with European partners,” Merz said in a televised interview.

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During his campaign, Merz said he supported the delivery of Taurus missiles and the maintenance of sanctions against Russia.

The Taurus KEPD-350 is an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), manufactured by a partnership between MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Sweden’s Saab Bofors Dynamics that has been in service with Germany since 2006.

The missile incorporates stealth technology and has an official range exceeding 500 kilometers (300 miles) at speeds just below Mach 1. It has a dual-stage 480-kilogram (1,100-pound) “bunker busting” two-stage warhead consisting of an initial penetration charge that clears the way for the main high-explosive warhead.