The defence ministry in Berlin told lawmakers on parliament’s budget committee in a letter obtained by dpa that Germany’s stockpile of Taurus long-range cruise missiles will be upgraded.

According to the letter, the ministry is planning a framework agreement with the manufacturer for the second “major overhaul” of the missiles and measures to maintain the weapon system’s capabilities.

According to the letter, the upgrades are expected to cost €829.8 million ($872.3 million).

The budget committee would need to release the funds for the programme to move forward.

There has long been a debate about whether Germany should supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine for use in its fight against the ongoing Russian invasion.

Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly asked Berlin specifically for the missiles, arguing that the Taurus has capabilities that would be particularly valuable for the war effort.

But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz refused, contending that the long range of the German-made cruise missiles, which can strike targets at distances of up to 500 kilometres, would risk escalation.

Mr Scholz has also argued that details of the Taurus targeting system would require the involvement of German military personnel.

(dpa/NAN)