Taurus, Storm Shadow, or ATACMS – West competes to see which missile will destroy Crimean bridge

The long range missiles in question include the American-made ATACMS, the British-French Storm Shadow (known as SCALP-EG in France), or the German-made Taurus.

He was referencing comments made by U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

“2024 will be a crucial year for the future of Europe and the world,” Graham said, adding that he hopes Ukraine will receive enough weaponry, including the American-made ATACMS missiles, to “destroy that damn bridge connecting Crimea and Russia.”

Yizhak spoke to NV about the importance of this comment.

"This is a crucial element when looking at the overall situation in the arms market,” Yizhak said.

“Post-war, only the weapons proven effective in this conflict will have an advantage and opportunity on the global market."

The United States and other countries understand this dynamic, he explained.

 "There's now competition over which missile will destroy the Crimea Bridge—Taurus, Storm Shadow, or ATACMS,” said Yizhak. 

“The American defense industry recognizes that regardless of various political aspects, if U.S. weapons are not used in Ukraine, they will lose their market edge, no matter how high their quality."

The Republicans are seeking ways to demonstrate American weaponry's effectiveness in this war, Yizhak said.

The Pentagon is ready to provide Ukraine with longer-range ATACMS ballistic missiles, The Wall Street Journal reported last week.

The U.S. began supplying Ukraine with ATACMS in 2023, but so far, only older models with a medium range of 160 km, have been provided.

The U.S. announced on March 12 its first military aid package to Ukraine since the end of 2023. The new U.S. military aid package for Ukraine would include ATACMS, Politico reported on March 12, though the Pentagon's announcement did not mention these missiles.

The situation with Germany supplying Taurus missiles is even more complex.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder supported Chancellor Olaf Scholz's refusal to supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus air-launched cruise missiles.

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is attempting to change the chancellor's stance on supplying long-range missiles.