BERLIN (Reuters) -German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius aims to develop an advanced version of the Taurus cruise missile and buy 600 of them, a parliamentary source told Reuters on Friday, as Ukraine presses Berlin to supply it with the long-range weapons.

Germany has announced plans to acquire 600 examples of a new version of the Taurus air-launched conventional cruise missile, which would provide a major boost to the country’s long-range strike capabilities.

Germany plans to equip its army with a new model of long-range Taurus cruise missiles. However, funding may be insufficient, according to Spiegel. As the agency reports, the issue was raised by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius aims to buy 600 Taurus cruise missiles but has not yet secured the necessary funding, Spiegel magazine reported on Friday, as Ukraine continues to push Berlin to supply it with the long-range weapon.