There is one that isn't Taurus and has a longer range 1000km+ - MdCN. Firing from a landbased canister would not be hard (US has shown it can be done easily with SM6 and Tomahawk).
Ukraine is part of MTCR and it is an informal agreement, so when needs must like Europe defending itself... but anyway Germany is going to fund the Ukraine home grown long range precision strike missile.
One interesting aspect is that any long range missile needs to be fireable from more than one asset e.g. ship and land or land and air. Gives immense flexibility.
I just finished "TheOther Woman," published by Daniel Silva in 2018. The conclusion of his Author's Note:
'Security analysts estimate that two-thirds of the “diplomats” stationed at a typical Russian embassy in Western Europe are actually intelligence officers. Therefore, it is unlikely a modest round of tit-for-tat sanctions will deter Putin from his present path. And why should it? Putin and Putinism are on the march. The strongman and the “corporate state”—by another name, fascism—are all the rage. Western-style democracy and the global institutions that created an unprecedented period of peace in Europe are suddenly out of vogue. “Probe with bayonets,” advised Lenin.
'“If you encounter mush, proceed; if you encounter steel, withdraw.” Thus far, Putin has encountered only mush. In the 1930s, when the world witnessed a similar simultaneous rise of authoritarian and dictatorial regimes, a calamitous world war ensued, leaving more than sixty million dead. It is wishful thinking to assume the twenty-first century’s flirtation with neofascism will proceed without conflict.
'Look no farther than Syria, where an axis of Russia, Hezbollah, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Shiite militias from Iraq and Afghanistan have propped up the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Kremlin’s closest friend in the Middle East. Assad has repeatedly and flagrantly used chemical weapons against his own people, presumably with Moscow’s blessing, perhaps even with Moscow’s help. Thus far, an estimated four hundred thousand people have perished in Syria’s civil war, and there is no end to the conflict in sight. Putin is probing with bayonets. Only steel will stop him.'
Still optimistic. I believe Merz is such an improvement over previous dithering that I’m willing to give him just a bit more time to work through intricacies in the current German government that he may be dealing with. I think he’ll get there. Sooner would be better.
Bravo Shankar, 100% agree. Although, when it comes to weapons systems, one system alone, will most likely not accomplish the goal; especially just the Taurus missile. And unless we combine the use of multiple weapons, with diplomacy (sanctions), the results will be fruitless; ending in failure.
That said, our biggest issue as RT points out is the fact that Trump “flip-flops” more times than a Pancake House, so he’s not only a wild card, but the epitome of low expectations, or none at all.
Bottom line, we can’t count on Trump to do the right thing, so the strategy has to be multiple systems bombarding Russia all at once, while we implement tighter sanctions, and an embargo, should all else fail.
Furthermore, when it comes to diplomacy, there is always the carrot and stick approach; although since the carrot usually fails when it comes to Putin, and no one can trust Trump’s word; including Trump himself, I’d say the EU needs a much BIGGER stick! IMHO…:)
"This isn’t just about missile range—it’s about Europe finally stepping up and acting like it doesn’t need Washington’s permission to defend itself."
This is doubly true for Ukraine. It doesn't need ANYONE's permission to defend itself. Ukraine's scientists and engineers are working on developing a domestic version of Taurus. The closest thing they have, officially, is the "Neptune", a cruise missile that has been under development for a number of years. It has seen limited success against both land and naval targets but continued improvements have given it a range greater than Taurus although it lacks the specialized penetrating warhead for attacking deep bunker facilities. It is also in limited production, another constraint. Needless to say, further improvements are expected and together with Taurus both of these missiles will present a formidable problem for Russian defenses. Consequently, Ukraine is in a far better position, today, to carry the war deep into Russia and that ability will only grow.
SO disappointing that the US vetoed G7’s reduction of the oil cap, which had the potential to set a few more balls rolling, including long range weaponry. It would be ideal if the G7 could suspend USA’s membership until they prove convincingly that a grown-up’s in charge.
Just one little squib: Putin is not so much playing Trump like a fiddle, but like a pennywhistle, which is also small, hollow and wavering in its ability to stay in tune. Oh, and another: the only way to interpret Putiin's insistence that people the world over view Russia as some bastion of Orthodox religiousity, is that orthordoxies of all sorts are clung to by people with a strong need for an external authority to validate their preference for conformity and obedience in opposition to their fear of intellectual freedom, curiosity, creativity and inclusion. Approximately 33% of people across many societies are still at this level of social development, unfortunately. Fortunately it only takes the insights and courage of the 'few' to defeat them. How laughable (tragic) is it that Putin holds up a country with such an extensive Gulag, a history of mass murder and kleptocracy as a "Christian" nation?
The real war will begin when Europe steps out from under the US shadow. Could not agree more that a significant step in this direction will occur when Germany puts its money where its Tauruses are.
Until then, we'll need to listen to the tone deaf Putin play the Trump-fiddle, which produces a sound horrific to the ears.
This "real war" can be long or short. The "real" aspect of the war comes as Europe realizes it is, and behaves as, a significant power in the world. This has many implications. Among these are a reduced European reliance on the US, and a reduction in the defense burden the US would need to bear should Xi try and take the South China Sea - and by implication, Taiwan. Though Taiwan is a minor component of Xi's goal.
If the US persists in lending its satellite resources, it'll be short. This brevity may overwhelm Europe's stated goal and desire to move out from the US shadow. So strategically, this short war scenario plays to Xi's interests. But Putin, the man on his own medieval "rack" is damned either way.
Given that autocrats like Putin and Xi have no allies, not even each other, only arrangements, the smart money is on a short "real" war. Xi may opt to support continued US-EU antics because it sustains a higher cost to that alliance - even as the alliance is eroded by Trump's combination of incompetence and instability.
Watch for Putin making hotel arrangements for Beijing, with Assad his designated baggage clerk.
We are again placing all our eggs in one basket though - this time Germany. That is my only observation, and it is probably overly simplistic. I do think about it though.
German media report that Germany will invest in Ukraine to help it develop long-range missiles with a range of 2,500 kilometers.
The entire Free World now depends on German military production!
This one of history’s biggest ironies!
Let’s hope that Europe steps up to its new role as leader of the Free World!
Yea. Total cirlce. Only the can now stop the Russians from starting the next world war.
Shankar! With Trump America would be fighting AGAINST our true friends and allies!
We’d be on the wrong side of history!
With Trump, who knows? It might be the "ally of the week" show.
There is one that isn't Taurus and has a longer range 1000km+ - MdCN. Firing from a landbased canister would not be hard (US has shown it can be done easily with SM6 and Tomahawk).
What about the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)? You know Europe... still talking about Russian assets.
Ukraine is part of MTCR and it is an informal agreement, so when needs must like Europe defending itself... but anyway Germany is going to fund the Ukraine home grown long range precision strike missile.
One interesting aspect is that any long range missile needs to be fireable from more than one asset e.g. ship and land or land and air. Gives immense flexibility.
Thanks Simon. I hope they opt for a ground launched one.
I hope so too.
I just finished "TheOther Woman," published by Daniel Silva in 2018. The conclusion of his Author's Note:
'Security analysts estimate that two-thirds of the “diplomats” stationed at a typical Russian embassy in Western Europe are actually intelligence officers. Therefore, it is unlikely a modest round of tit-for-tat sanctions will deter Putin from his present path. And why should it? Putin and Putinism are on the march. The strongman and the “corporate state”—by another name, fascism—are all the rage. Western-style democracy and the global institutions that created an unprecedented period of peace in Europe are suddenly out of vogue. “Probe with bayonets,” advised Lenin.
'“If you encounter mush, proceed; if you encounter steel, withdraw.” Thus far, Putin has encountered only mush. In the 1930s, when the world witnessed a similar simultaneous rise of authoritarian and dictatorial regimes, a calamitous world war ensued, leaving more than sixty million dead. It is wishful thinking to assume the twenty-first century’s flirtation with neofascism will proceed without conflict.
'Look no farther than Syria, where an axis of Russia, Hezbollah, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Shiite militias from Iraq and Afghanistan have propped up the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Kremlin’s closest friend in the Middle East. Assad has repeatedly and flagrantly used chemical weapons against his own people, presumably with Moscow’s blessing, perhaps even with Moscow’s help. Thus far, an estimated four hundred thousand people have perished in Syria’s civil war, and there is no end to the conflict in sight. Putin is probing with bayonets. Only steel will stop him.'
Totally agree. Defeat him or get defeated. No middle ground.
Still optimistic. I believe Merz is such an improvement over previous dithering that I’m willing to give him just a bit more time to work through intricacies in the current German government that he may be dealing with. I think he’ll get there. Sooner would be better.
Yes. He moves fast.
It's actually refreshing after all the delays.
Bravo Shankar, 100% agree. Although, when it comes to weapons systems, one system alone, will most likely not accomplish the goal; especially just the Taurus missile. And unless we combine the use of multiple weapons, with diplomacy (sanctions), the results will be fruitless; ending in failure.
That said, our biggest issue as RT points out is the fact that Trump “flip-flops” more times than a Pancake House, so he’s not only a wild card, but the epitome of low expectations, or none at all.
Bottom line, we can’t count on Trump to do the right thing, so the strategy has to be multiple systems bombarding Russia all at once, while we implement tighter sanctions, and an embargo, should all else fail.
Furthermore, when it comes to diplomacy, there is always the carrot and stick approach; although since the carrot usually fails when it comes to Putin, and no one can trust Trump’s word; including Trump himself, I’d say the EU needs a much BIGGER stick! IMHO…:)
he thinks bothsideism is a great negotiating tool, which is totally stupid considering who he is dealing with.
"This isn’t just about missile range—it’s about Europe finally stepping up and acting like it doesn’t need Washington’s permission to defend itself."
This is doubly true for Ukraine. It doesn't need ANYONE's permission to defend itself. Ukraine's scientists and engineers are working on developing a domestic version of Taurus. The closest thing they have, officially, is the "Neptune", a cruise missile that has been under development for a number of years. It has seen limited success against both land and naval targets but continued improvements have given it a range greater than Taurus although it lacks the specialized penetrating warhead for attacking deep bunker facilities. It is also in limited production, another constraint. Needless to say, further improvements are expected and together with Taurus both of these missiles will present a formidable problem for Russian defenses. Consequently, Ukraine is in a far better position, today, to carry the war deep into Russia and that ability will only grow.
Germany is investing in Ukraine's long range missile production.
Confiscate Russia’s frozen assets.
Oh, I wish.
SO disappointing that the US vetoed G7’s reduction of the oil cap, which had the potential to set a few more balls rolling, including long range weaponry. It would be ideal if the G7 could suspend USA’s membership until they prove convincingly that a grown-up’s in charge.
Yes. Putin protection plan. There is no other way to read that move.
Just one little squib: Putin is not so much playing Trump like a fiddle, but like a pennywhistle, which is also small, hollow and wavering in its ability to stay in tune. Oh, and another: the only way to interpret Putiin's insistence that people the world over view Russia as some bastion of Orthodox religiousity, is that orthordoxies of all sorts are clung to by people with a strong need for an external authority to validate their preference for conformity and obedience in opposition to their fear of intellectual freedom, curiosity, creativity and inclusion. Approximately 33% of people across many societies are still at this level of social development, unfortunately. Fortunately it only takes the insights and courage of the 'few' to defeat them. How laughable (tragic) is it that Putin holds up a country with such an extensive Gulag, a history of mass murder and kleptocracy as a "Christian" nation?
He will tell he is the god one day.
Baccus, maybe. Or Loki?
Mammon.
It’s all a game to hide the fact that TRUMP IS RUSSIA’S BIGGEST ASSET!
The Russians have a code-name for Trump, DANILA KRASNOV!
Trump’s been passing information to Russia since1987, even before Putin took charge!
Putin and Trump play the media to spread their fake”lover’s quarrels!”
The media loves this nonsense!
It makes noise and noise makes money!
The real war will begin when Europe steps out from under the US shadow. Could not agree more that a significant step in this direction will occur when Germany puts its money where its Tauruses are.
Until then, we'll need to listen to the tone deaf Putin play the Trump-fiddle, which produces a sound horrific to the ears.
This "real war" can be long or short. The "real" aspect of the war comes as Europe realizes it is, and behaves as, a significant power in the world. This has many implications. Among these are a reduced European reliance on the US, and a reduction in the defense burden the US would need to bear should Xi try and take the South China Sea - and by implication, Taiwan. Though Taiwan is a minor component of Xi's goal.
If the US persists in lending its satellite resources, it'll be short. This brevity may overwhelm Europe's stated goal and desire to move out from the US shadow. So strategically, this short war scenario plays to Xi's interests. But Putin, the man on his own medieval "rack" is damned either way.
Given that autocrats like Putin and Xi have no allies, not even each other, only arrangements, the smart money is on a short "real" war. Xi may opt to support continued US-EU antics because it sustains a higher cost to that alliance - even as the alliance is eroded by Trump's combination of incompetence and instability.
Watch for Putin making hotel arrangements for Beijing, with Assad his designated baggage clerk.
You’re spot on. So much is just noise. Thank you for continuing to provide assistance in sorting noise from substance!
Thanks for sharing your opinion regularly. Very valuable.
Good piece. Excellent.
We are again placing all our eggs in one basket though - this time Germany. That is my only observation, and it is probably overly simplistic. I do think about it though.
Not all eggs. But most of the eggs. Cant help it. Even artillery shells that Ukraine is getting now, nearly 50% is coming out of Germany.
europe is still depending to trump
G7 needs to sign off on the price cap.