Image source: topwar.ru
As part of the Bundeswehr's new multibillion–dollar financing package, it is envisaged that one of the most formidable weapons of destruction of the German defense industry, the Taurus long-range missiles, will remain in service.
As indicated in the Die Welt publication, these subsonic cruise missiles with a range of over 500 km are planned to remain in service with the Air Force until 2045. To do this, they will undergo defecation, repair and modernization "taking into account the growing requirements for modern weapons systems" [perhaps we are talking about greater resistance to the effects of electronic warfare].
It is estimated that today there are more than 600 Taurus missiles in the German arsenal, which, in addition to their range, differ from other European counterparts with a heavy warhead weighing 480 kg (BB – 100 kg) with a total mass of 1.4 tons. These characteristics allow you to hit strategically important objects deep in the enemy's territory.
Image source: topwar.ru
The Kiev regime has been insisting on their transfer to the Ukrainian Armed Forces for a long time, but the German authorities have not yet agreed.
- it is said in the German press.
According to sources in the Bundeswehr, about half of the arsenal of these missiles may not be combat-ready. It is possible that this circumstance deterred Berlin from handing them over to the Ukrainian army. However, after their restoration, all doubts will be removed, the German press believes.
Currently, only Tornado fighters can carry Taurus in the Luftwaffe. As indicated in the Hartpunkt publication, it was recently decided to integrate them by 2028-2029 with the Eurofighter aircraft, also in service with the German Air Force.