German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the country must control the deployment of Taurus long-range missiles, so it cannot transfer this type of weapon to Ukraine.
The Taurus missile is equipped with a Williams P8300-15 turbofan engine with a maximum speed of 0.95 Mach (nearly 1,000 km/h), and a maximum range of up to 500 km. According to German television channel NTV, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that weapons with a range of up to 500 km require proper use and control by German soldiers. Therefore, Mr. Scholz affirmed that it is impossible to transfer this weapon to Ukraine. However, the German leader emphasized that Berlin has pledged 7 billion EUR in military assistance to Ukraine this year, much higher than other European countries.
Germany is the second-largest military aid provider to Ukraine after the United States and is increasing its support this year, according to ABC News. Last week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ruled out sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying that doing so would mean Germany entering the conflict.
German media believe that by not allowing the delivery of Taurus weapons to Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is trying to become a “Friedenskanzler” or “ Peace Chancellor” ahead of the European Parliament elections next June.
Meanwhile, according to military analysts, the Germans are concerned that their Taurus missile stockpile could be depleted and “the Russians will see the missile in action in Ukraine, better understand the missile's countermeasures and stealth characteristics.”
CHI HANH
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