German lawmakers reject Taurus missiles for Ukraine — again

Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, has voted against sending Taurus missiles to help Ukraine fight off Russia's invasion for the third time this year.

The opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) had called for the long-range weapon system to be deployed "immediately" as Russia makes incremental gains on the front line.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the missiles could only be deployed using soldiers from Germany's military, the Bundeswehr, which would risk dragging Germany into the war against Russia. 

How did the vote play out?

Of the 690 lawmakers who took part in the vote, 495 voted against the delivery with 190 in favor and five abstentions.

While Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) have taken a line against the delivery, some within the ruling coalition — particularly from the Green Party and the business-focused Free Democrats — have declared themselves in favor.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the socialist Left Party joined the SPD in voting against the motion.

The debate saw Rolf Mützenich, head of the SPD parliamentary group, defend Scholz's policy saying that it was not a wise time to take political gambles.

"What is needed is understanding, prudence, and clarity. And that's what the chancellor is doing in his considerations as head of government," he said.

However, the CDU's deputy parliamentary group leader, Johann Wadephul, said determination and clarity were needed help and criticized the SPD's stance. 

"Again and again, their supposed prudence has only ever fueled Mr. Putin in his aggression against Ukraine. That is the result," Wadephul said.

The conservative CDU/CSU bloc tabled similar motions in January and February that were voted down with the government arguing against the move.

 The non-binding Taurus proposal would not have given the green light for the deliveries, with parliament instead serving as a forum for discussion. The matter would be discussed and decided in Germany's Federal Security Council.

What's so special about the missiles?

The Taurus KEPD-350 missile is considered one of the Bundeswehr's most modern weapon systems.

The missile, fired from the air by fighter jets, travels at almost the speed of sound and can strike targets as far as 500 kilometers (310 miles) away.

It flies at an altitude of only 35 meters, which makes it almost impossible for radar systems to detect, and constantly measures and reevaluates its position. Taurus is used against "high-value targets," which can include bunkers or command posts from which enemy troops control operations. 

Before the actual warhead explodes, a charge blasts through the bunker's outer walls. Taurus can penetrate several floors of a concrete bunker before the actual warhead explodes.

The Ukrainian army already has similar weapon systems — but with a shorter range.

Ukraine could use Taurus missiles against Russian positions far behind the front line, destroying supply routes and command centers or hitting targets in Russian-occupied Crimea.

The government in Berlin has been reluctant to provide Ukraine with weapons that could attack targets on Russian territory, fearing that it could be seen as a provocation.

Moscow has repeatedly warned against the delivery of weapon systems such as the Taurus or the US ATACMS to Ukraine.

rc/sms (dpa, AFP)

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