Germany May Supply Ukraine With Unexpected Weapons
- 20.11.2025, 23:37
Not TAURUS, but also by 500 kilometers.
Ukraine can count on receiving long-range missile systems from Germany. However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz did not specify what kind of weapons we are talking about, so Ukrainian analysts tried to find out what long-range systems could be provided to Kiev.
Despite the lack of direct data, the range of possible systems is quite narrow - Germany does not have ballistic missiles suitable for transfer to Ukraine. Therefore, we are almost certainly talking about cruise missiles. This is stated in the material Defense Express.
Analysts noted that the German government deliberately abandoned the previous policy of demonstrative publicity on the issue of arms transfers to Kiev. Therefore, even to direct questions about the possible transfer of TAURUS cruise missiles, Merz did not answer. However, a set of factors voiced by Berlin makes it possible to determine the likely options of weapons that could be transferred to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
The most obvious candidate - TAURUS - is still in doubt, as it takes time and serious investments to resume its production. Other options, such as Storm Shadow, SCALP or French MdCN, look less realistic, given production constraints and lack of conditions for their assembly in Ukraine.
So, analysts believe, modern European MBDA projects, which were created with availability and the possibility of accelerated production deployment in mind, come to the fore. One such project is the long-range counterpart of the Shaheds, the One-Way Effector with a 155mm munition.
This is a fixed-wing drone with a wingspan of about 3 meters, equipped with a marching jet engine and capable of covering up to 500 km at a speed of about 400 km/h. This layout allows it to operate beyond the frontline, penetrating deep into the enemy's rear.
His main task is to deplete and overwhelm enemy air defenses, including - anti-missile systems with a limited number of expensive interceptors.
The system will not enter production until 2027, however, making it an unlikely candidate for current deliveries.
A far more realistic option is Europe's new Crossbow cruise missile with a range of up to 800 kilometers and a warhead weighing about 300 kilograms. MBDA has already announced a tentative delivery date for this missile to customers - the second quarter of 2026. Given the pace of development of production lines and Germany's participation in the MBDA consortium, the Crossbow variant looks the most logical in the context of Berlin's statements.
Crossbow is designed as a cheap and mass destruction device. Unlike traditional high-precision and expensive cruise missiles, MBDA relies on the possibility of mass production and high availability for systemic strike operations. The missile is aimed at high-intensity conflict scenarios, including those that involve suppression of navigation systems and active use of electronic warfare systems.
MBDA said large-scale production could begin as early as the second quarter of 2026 if customers are found and supply chains are secured.
"But in Germany itself, there is another option, already tied to Rheinmetall's capabilities. For this German giant plans to produce a version of the Barracuda 500M mass cruise missile from Anduril. which is better adapted for strikes against Russia due to twice as large a warhead," the observers concluded.
Reminder, in June at the Paris Air Show conglomerate MBDA recalled the development of advanced missile systems under the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon program. During the event, the Europeans presented models of two new missiles: subsonic TP15 cruise missile and supersonic anti-ship missile RJ10.