Since there are no corresponding orders, Taurus missiles are no longer produced. The manufacturer MBDA now warns of shortages of raw materials. Faster federal decisions are needed, the head of the German subsidiary, Thomas Gottschild, said in an interview with the ‘Augsburger Allgemeine’.
Armament equipment could be acquired even more quickly than is currently the case. “It is a challenge for our industry when production is interrupted, as with the Taurus. “Our suppliers, often small and medium-sized companies, have stopped production in such cases,” said manager Gottschild. For example, when new orders come in, suppliers must first line up and secure raw materials.
High demand worldwide
Because the demand for raw materials for explosives is high worldwide, there are currently bottlenecks. “It’s enough that it’s worth it to maintain supply chains, keep testing equipment state-of-the-art and maintain employee competency.” In Germany there are skilled workers anyway, says Gottschild. Last year, around 400 people applied for jobs at the defense company every month. At the beginning of this year there were already 800 applications per month. The company currently has approximately 1,200 employees in Germany. Other locations are in France, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
“Important building block for Ukraine”
Whether Germany supplies Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine is a political decision. The Ukrainian military is currently covering its standoff capability with other weapons. “From the Ukrainians’ point of view (…) the Taurus would be an important complementary component.” This is a German-Swedish air-to-surface cruise missile developed for various payloads and missions. It has a flight range of more than 500 kilometers.
So far, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected Taurus deliveries to Ukraine. He argues that this could drag Germany into the war. It has already been voted on several times in the Bundestag.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
