In a recent announcement, European defense company MBDA has decided to stop production of its Taurus long-range cruise missiles, citing a lack of new orders from the German government. Thomas Gottschild, head of MBDA’s German subsidiary, confirmed the suspension, stating that without renewed orders, maintaining production has become untenable, even for stockpiling purposes. The decision marks a significant development in the European defense landscape, highlighting both the economic and strategic complexities of the defense industry and its dependence on governmental contracts and policy.
MBDA’s Taurus missile system, known for its high effectiveness and precision, has not received any new production requests, forcing the company to reassess the viability of continued production. According to Gottschild, the pause affects more than just MBDA; the production involves a web of suppliers, many of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reliant on consistent contracts to support their operations. The interruption poses a “challenge to the industry,” Gottschild said, emphasizing that the halt could disrupt these suppliers and impact the specialized workforce involved in producing these high-technology weapon systems.
“The defense industry operates on a large scale to ensure an efficient supply chain, continuous testing, and workforce readiness,” Gottschild explained. “Without large-scale production orders, maintaining the infrastructure and the skilled labor force becomes increasingly difficult.”
While the suspension of Taurus missile production may signal a gap in Germany’s long-range cruise missile capabilities, MBDA is shifting focus towards producing guided missiles for the Patriot air defense system. Following substantial orders from various European nations, MBDA plans to manufacture around 1,000 Patriot missiles, in collaboration with American defense contractor Raytheon. The production will occur at Raytheon’s defense facility in Schrobenhausen, Germany, with the first missiles expected to be delivered within three years.
Gottschild expressed optimism about this new project, citing its importance for Europe’s defense capabilities. “Patriot systems remain central to European air defense strategy, especially given the current geopolitical climate,” he noted, adding that the transition allows MBDA to pivot resources while maintaining operational continuity.
The decision by MBDA also reflects the impact of German governmental policies, particularly its stance on the export of high-grade weapons systems like the Taurus missile to conflict zones. In February 2024, the German government declined Ukraine’s request for Taurus cruise missiles, a decision influenced by concerns over escalation with Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the decision, asserting that Germany must avoid involvement in the conflict beyond its current support.
“We recognize the impact of these weapons systems, as seen with Britain and France’s deployment of the Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles in Ukraine. However, Germany cannot be associated with the effects that the Taurus missile could have,” Scholz said at a press conference earlier this year, stressing the need to prevent Germany from being seen as a direct party to the conflict.
Ukraine had sought the Taurus cruise missile as part of its strategy to target Russian logistics and disrupt supply lines, including key infrastructure like the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia to occupied Crimea. Germany’s hesitance to supply Taurus missiles stems from fears that doing so would increase the risk of direct confrontation with Russia, given the weapon’s capabilities and its potential to hit critical Russian infrastructure.
The Taurus cruise missile stands out in its design, equipped with the Programable Intelligent Multi-Purpose Fuze (PIMPF), which allows for a degree of targeting precision that military analysts say could prove decisive in certain strategic scenarios. The British and French Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, while effective, use a Multi-Application Fuze Initiation System (MAFIS), which lacks some of the targeting precision of the PIMPF system. Military analysts suggest that this distinction is particularly relevant when targeting fortified or complex structures such as bridges.
Had Germany approved the export of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, the weapon’s unique capabilities might have enabled Ukraine to target the Kerch Bridge more effectively than with previous attempts. Ukraine has launched strikes on the bridge several times, aiming to disrupt Russian forces’ access to Crimea, but the structure remains operational. Experts believe that the Taurus missile could potentially shift the strategic balance, though it would simultaneously raise the stakes of the conflict, which Germany is keen to avoid.
Germany’s decision is not solely about avoiding direct confrontation with Russia. Another key factor in the government’s hesitation is the risk that the advanced technology within the Taurus missile system could fall into Russian hands. The Taurus missile represents years of research and technological advancement, and any possibility of reverse engineering by an adversarial nation raises concerns within Germany’s defense establishment.
Should any Taurus missiles end up in Russian possession, they would potentially have access to sensitive technology, including the PIMPF targeting system. This concern underscores a broader debate within the defense community about balancing the need to support allies like Ukraine with the imperative of protecting advanced military technology. For Germany, the risk of Taurus technology becoming compromised may have been a decisive factor in declining Ukraine’s request.
MBDA’s decision to halt production of the Taurus missile underscores the complex relationship between Europe’s defense industry and governmental policy. The German government’s hesitation to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine reflects broader European ambivalence about how directly to engage in the conflict. While Germany, along with other European nations, has pledged extensive support for Ukraine, it has been selective about the types of weaponry provided, partly to avoid direct escalation with Russia.
This decision also highlights the challenges for defense companies operating in environments where orders are subject to political considerations. For MBDA, the halted production of Taurus missiles means reallocating resources and strategic focus toward other projects, such as the Patriot system, which enjoys broader governmental support.
As European defense spending and military collaboration continue to grow in response to heightened security concerns, the case of the Taurus missile illustrates the challenges facing the European defense sector in aligning its capabilities with shifting political priorities. Defense industry experts predict that while the demand for advanced weaponry is likely to grow, specific platforms like the Taurus missile may face intermittent or diminished demand due to political sensitivities.
