When the Taurus has detached itself from its carrier aircraft, it first drops into the depths. Then the five-meter-long unmanned small-jet aircraft hisses over enemy lines at treetop height. Shortly before the end, he climbs steeply again and then plunges vertically towards his target. Its 400-kilogram warhead can then penetrate meter-thick concrete. The Taurus cruise missile is thus a threat to everything that seems to be particularly well protected: depots, command staffs, hangars, bridges.

Konrad Schuller

Political correspondent of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung in Berlin.

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The Bundeswehr has the Taurus in its arsenals, and two insiders have now told the F.A.S. that Ukraine desperately wants it. President Volodymyr Zelensky had already spoken to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about this during his visit to Berlin at the beginning of May. A spokesman for the chancellor does not want to comment on this; however, the German Ministry of Defense confirms that Ukraine has asked for the Taurus.

Germany is thus facing a new debate. Just a moment ago, it looked as if Berlin was off the hook when it came to arms aid for Ukraine. Most recently, it was mainly about aircraft deliveries, especially the American F-16. President Joe Biden, after some hesitation, has agreed to train Ukrainian pilots on this machine, and several European NATO countries – Belgium, Denmark, the UK, Norway and Poland – are showing signs that they could follow suit. For now, this is all about training, but no one denies that the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine may be the next step.

It's about protecting people

At first, Germany seemed safe from new demands. The Air Force does not have an F-16, and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius of the SPD was quick to say that there was not much to contribute to this initiative. With the Ukrainian request for the Taurus, however, the calm is over. The cruise missile from Germany would be an ideal complement to the F-16. Although it is not yet entirely clear how easy or difficult it would be technically to use it from machines of this type, CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter believes that, according to his information, no "rocket science" is necessary here. The Federal Government is thus faced with two questions. Firstly, does it want to support the emerging fighter aircraft alliance of the partners? Secondly, does she want to provide the Taurus for this?

On question one, the delivery of fighter jets, more and more voices are being raised. The chancellor is still cloudy, but Kiesewetter says Germany should "actively support" the upcoming aircraft coalition. Some in the SPD also see it that way. For example, Michael Roth, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, says Germany could "be part of an alliance to supply F-16s." Even if the Air Force does not have this aircraft itself, the partners should be asked: "How can we help you?"