While the Taurus news is a blow to Ukraine, France has said it will provide another 40 SCALP-EG cruise missiles to Kyiv.
Ukraine received bad news about the potential donation long-range air-launched cruise missiles from Germany today. Around the same time, Kyiv also got some welcome news regarding supply of similar missiles from France.
The German parliament overwhelmingly voted down a non-binding measure on delivering Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles to Ukraine on Wednesday. French President Emmanuel Macron, however, announced late Tuesday night that his country will deliver an additional 40 SCALP-EG cruise missiles.
A Taurus air-launched cruise missile. (MBDA photo)
Regardless of the vote, a final decision on Taurus deliveries to Ukraine will rest with the chair of Germany’s Federal Security Council, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Politico reported. Scholz, however, “has demurred in the past when pressed by lawmakers with similar motions for Taurus deliveries to Ukraine,” according to Politico. Today’s decision comes as France has provided SCALP-EGs and the U.K. has provided an undisclosed number of similar Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles to Ukraine for months.
In contrast to the Bundestag’s vote, Macron announced in a Tuesday night speech that France will deliver a new round of SCALP-EG cruise missiles to Ukraine, as well as “hundreds of bombs” and will visit Kyiv in February.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signing a French-donated SCALP-EG cruise missile in August 2023, which indicated that the weapons was operational. (Ukrainian MoD)
In addition to promising more SCALP-EGs, Macron added that the French defense industry is also working within the framework of a “war economy” to boost production and supplies of equipment to Ukraine, in particular 155mm Caesar howitzers, Defense News reported.
“We will basically continue to help Ukraine in its needs – for training, to hold on to the front, and to defend its skies,” Macron said during his press conference. “With the deliveries I mentioned, with the agreements we’re finalizing.”
In the wake of Macron’s announcement, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry thanked the French.
“We are grateful to our French partners for their unwavering support and significant reinforcement of the Ukrainian Air Force. Merci Beaucoup!”
Satellite imagery offers a clearer look at the full aftermath of a December 2023 Ukrainian cruise missile strike on the port of Feodosia in Crimea. Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies
It is unknown, however, how many SCALP-EGs or Storm Shadows the Ukrainians still have on hand.
With Ukraine’s counteroffensive largely ground to a halt, and Russia continuing to make small advances in Kharkiv Oblast, Kyiv’s greatest success have come with long-range strikes on Crimea and other locales deep behind the front line, many of which have been carried out by the donated cruise missiles. Not only have they provided tactical value, but imagery of vessels and facilities destroyed by these munitions have proven a huge morale boost to a nation struggling with a Russian invasion heading toward a third year with no end in sight.
It is possible that Macron’s announcement of additional SCALP-EG’s will put new pressure on Germany to respond in kind with the Taurus. There are reportedly efforts underway to reintroduce a vote on the the missile.
There will reportedly be another German Bundestag vote to provide Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. SKopp via Wikimedia SKopp via Wikimedia
“Leading supporters of the ruling parties which favor a Taurus delivery to Ukraine announced immediately after the vote in the Bundestag that the ruling parties want to submit their proposal by February, which would include the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine,” said the German Aid To Ukraine group, a private project monitoring Berlin’s arms provisions to Kyiv.
Whether that happens is yet to be known, but today’s vote is not a good indication of its chances.
Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
