Germany will require two years to replenish its Taurus stock if Berlin ultimately decides to transfer long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, according to Financial Times.
According to FT, the production lines are currently idle. They were last operational in 2019 when an order was received from South Korea. The factories located in the German city of Schrobenhausen are only engaged in the repair of sold missiles. Each missile costs around 1.5 million euros, depending on the order size.
According to the calculations of Fabian Hoffman, a researcher at the University of Oslo specializing in rocket technology, the Bundeswehr currently possesses approximately 600 Taurus missiles, with only half of them in operational condition.
Previously, the director of Taurus Systems, Joachim Knopf, stated that missile production could be quickly restored upon receiving an order.
Analysts believe that replenishing the Taurus arsenal will take about two years.
"Increasing or restarting production of a cruise missile “can’t be done overnight, with the supply chain also having to increase output or restart production of components, all of which takes time," said Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Missiles for Ukraine
Discussions are currently underway regarding the transfer of German Taurus missiles to Ukraine, capable of targeting objects up to 500 km away. Berlin is currently against it, but Ukraine and its allies urge German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to make a decision.
Partners of Olaf Scholz regarding the government coalition are pushing the German Chancellor to abandon opposition to transferring long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
For more details on whether Ukraine will receive German long-range missiles, read the RBC-Ukraine's coverage.