PUBLISHED on August 18, 2025, 10:05 AM EDT – Key Points and Summary: Germany is set to significantly expand its arsenal of Taurus KEPD 350 long-range cruise missiles, with a new procurement contract expected within months.
-This move aims to bolster the Bundeswehr’s deep-strike capabilities in response to heightened European tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
-The Taurus, a 1.4-tonne bunker-busting missile with a range over 500 km, is a critical non-U.S. system for Berlin.
-The decision to increase its stockpile also keeps the door open for potentially sending existing missiles to Ukraine, a possibility previously raised by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Germany to Procure Expanded Taurus Cruise Missiles Stockpile
Germany is set to expand its Taurus KEPD 350 arsenal. Its fresh procurement contract for the long-range missiles is set to be agreed on within months, industry sources cited by Hartpunkt claimed.
No Date Confirmed
Berlin’s Federal Ministry of Defence is yet to confirm the order, stating simply that its procurement plans would be announced in the wake of parliamentary consultations, “For reasons of operational security”.
The Taurus, developed by Germany’s MBDA Deutschland in conjunction with Sweden’s Saab, weighs a whopping 1.4 tonnes. Its warhead weighs roughly 450 kilograms, 100 kilograms of which are explosives. It is capable of precisely striking targets over 500 kilometres.
Designed to penetrate formidable defense lines, the missile is a valuable tool for targeting bunkers and other critical infrastructure in enemy territory.
600 Missiles Already Bought
Open sources evidence claims that the Bundeswehr has already purchased some 600 Taurus missiles. There are plans to keep these weapons operational until at least the mid-2040s. A modernization contract signed off in 2024 should keep this plan on schedule.
Germany’s eyeing up of a new stockpile can hardly be a coincidence. Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine continues to keep Europe on edge.
Earlier this year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin could even offer Kyiv Taurus missiles, under certain circumstances. No deliveries have been made, as of yet.
Germany Could Send Missiles to Ukraine
Like many of Ukraine’s western allies, Germany finds itself at a crossroads.
In one corner, Berlin is being pressured to aid Ukraine’s war effort. However, it also feels skittish about hollowing out its long-range strike abilities, and in a manner that could provoke anger in Moscow.
Overall, Germany’s Taurus purchase demonstrates its intention to maintain and potentially enhance its capability to conduct deep-strike missions without relying on U.S. or NATO systems.
Should this procurement deal be sealed, it will mark yet another step in Berlin’s defence policy following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Berlin has been criticized for not rearming efficiently enough, but this new cache of missiles could help boost its military readiness for generations to come.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education. You can follow her on X: @llggeorgia.
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