500km Range... Capable of Striking Russian Mainland
Specialized in Targeting Bridges, Ships, and Port Facilities
The Taurus (Taurus KEPD 350) missile exhibited at the 2006 ILA Berlin Air Show. [Image source=ILA Air Show official website]
As the controversy over the recording of senior German military officers released by Russia continues to grow, interest is also deepening in the 'Taurus (Taurus KEPD 350)' missile, which was at the center of the recording's content. If Germany actually supports Ukraine with this missile, there are concerns about the possibility of destroying bridges such as the Crimean Bridge in Russia, as mentioned in the recording, raising the possibility of strikes on Russian mainland.
In particular, the Taurus missile is known to be specialized as an air-launched cruise missile mounted on fighter jets to strike ships, bridges, and port facilities from the air, and it is expected that requests for support from Ukraine will increase further. There are also concerns that Russia, already sensitive due to Sweden's NATO membership issue, will escalate military provocations against European countries.
Russia's Release of 'German Military Recording' Causes Ripple Effect... Germany Calls it "Putin's Information Warfare"
According to the Associated Press on the 3rd (local time), German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said at a press conference that the recent recordings of senior German military officers released by Russia are "part of the information warfare waged by Russian President Vladimir Putin," calling it "a hybrid attack aimed at disinformation, intended to weaken and divide our firm resolve."
Earlier, on the 19th of last month, the Russian government released recordings of a video conference conversation between Ingo Gerhartz, Chief of Staff of the German Air Force, Brigadier General Frank Grape, Chief of Operations Staff, and two other senior German military officers, sparking controversy. The approximately 38-minute recording included discussions on how the German military could provide target information to Ukraine without appearing to be directly involved in the war, assuming sending up to 50 Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
In the meeting, the senior German officers also expressed concerns that if Taurus missiles were provided to Ukraine, attacks on bridges like the Crimean Bridge in Russia would be possible. The recording also included concerns that if the Ukrainian military actually attacked bridges, civilian casualties could occur, which provoked Russia's backlash.
The Russian government immediately demanded an explanation from Germany and expressed displeasure. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, strongly criticized, saying, "The German government should explain the statements in the recording. Otherwise, it will be considered that the German government admits guilt."
Jointly Developed by Germany, Spain, and Sweden... Specialized in Striking Bridges and Ports
The reason the Russian government is reacting so strongly is that the Taurus missile has a much longer range and superior explosive power compared to the missiles previously supplied to Ukraine. It is especially evaluated as specialized in striking ships, bridges, and port facilities, making it possible to strike not only Ukrainian-occupied areas along the Black Sea coast but also the Russian mainland.
The Taurus missile is an air-launched cruise missile jointly developed by European countries including Germany, Sweden, and Spain. It was developed by the defense company 'TAURUS Systems,' established by MBDA, a pan-European missile development specialist company, and Saab Bofors Dynamics, a defense company under the Swedish Saab Group.
This missile has a range exceeding 500 km, weighs 1.4 tons, is 5 meters long, and its warhead alone weighs 481 kg. If supplied to Ukraine, it is fully capable of striking the Russian mainland. It is mainly mounted on fighter jets and launched from the air, capable of attacking ground targets at speeds up to Mach 0.95.
In particular, the German military recording included the statement, "The Crimean Bridge is a very narrow target, making it difficult to strike, but it is possible using the Taurus," highlighting that it is a missile specialized in striking maritime bridges and port facilities.
Possibility of Striking Russian Mainland if Supported to Ukraine... Support Controversy Expected to Continue
As a result of this recording controversy, debates over supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine are expected to continue not only between Germany and Russia but also among the United States, NATO, and European countries.
Earlier, Ukraine had persistently requested Germany to supply Taurus missiles ahead of its counteroffensive operations against Russia in May last year. Although opposition parties in Germany and even coalition government members expressed support, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz refused the support citing concerns over escalation with Russia.
At a dpa news agency conference held in Berlin on the 26th of last month, Chancellor Scholz stated, "It is surprising that some do not even consider that what we are doing could lead to a kind of war intervention," reaffirming his opposition to supplying Taurus missiles. The fact that the private meeting of senior German military officers was wiretapped and the recordings released is expected to raise concerns and distrust over communication security not only within Germany but also among NATO member countries.
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