Precision long-range strike capability is a determinant in modern warfare, including in the scenario in the Korean Peninsula, so South Korea will rely heavily on the capabilities of its long-range cruise missiles. And speaking of this, the combat readiness of the South Korean Air Force cannot be separated from the strategic asset in the form of the German-made Taurus cruise missile.
And after seven years, for the first time South Korea conducted a live fire test of the Taurus KEPD-350 cruise missile with a 'real' warhead. The Taurus missile was launched from an F-15K Slam Eagle fighter jet and successfully hit a target in the Yellow Sea from a distance of 400 kilometers. With its precision capability, the Taurus can attack vital facilities in North Korea within 15 minutes of being launched from around Seoul.
The Taurus KEPD-350 is a precision-guided long-range air-to-surface missile, made by Taurus Systems GmbH through a joint venture between MBDA Deutschland and Saab Bofors Dynamics. Designed for deep strike missions, its impressive range of more than 500 kilometers allows it to strike high-value, heavily defended enemy targets while maintaining a safe distance from its launch vehicle.
South Korea tested the Taurus missile not only to demonstrate its defensive capabilities but also as an integral part of its broader deterrence strategy. The test was a definitive signal to North Korea, confirming that it has the technological and military prowess to neutralize vital strategic targets if conflict escalates.
The successful testing of the Taurus KEPD-350 has strengthened the operational readiness of South Korean forces, giving them a strategic advantage in deterring North Korean threats. Designed to strike fortified, high-value targets from long range—including underground facilities—the missile provides South Korea with a powerful tool to quickly neutralize critical infrastructure in North Korea if the situation demands.
While North Korea boasts of being able to jam GPS (Global Positioning System) signals, Taurus Systems guarantees that even if the GPS signal is disabled by an adversary, the missile’s guidance system will not be affected.
"Taurus is indeed GPS-guided, but once the GPS is successfully jammed, the missile guidance system will remain focused on the target, thanks to the inertial navigation system, the missile's speed can rely on terrain and image reference updates," said Oliver Kessler, director of New Business Asia Taurus Systems Korea to Indomiliter.com on the sidelines of the Aero India 2017 event.
Since it was first operated by Germany in 2005, this missile has been prepared for the addition of several devices. Flying like a jet equipped with air intake and folding wings, Taurus with a Williams P8300-15 turbofan engine can fly at speeds of Mach 0.80 - Mach 0.95. Flying at low level altitude plus flying at a speed of almost Mach 1, making this cruise missile very difficult to shoot down even by a quick reaction cannon.
From its weight reaching 1,400 kg, inside it is a Mephisto warhead (Multi-Effect Penetrator, High Sophisticated and Target Optimised) weighing 480 kg.
South Korea conducted its first live-fire drills of the German-made Taurus cruise missile in seven years from F-15K fighter jet.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 11, 2024
The missile flew approximately 400 kilometers and hit designated target in the Yellow Sea.
It can reach key facilities in North Korea within 15… pic.twitter.com/wgheiCUdws
Mephisto is designed to explode with a time setting (a few moments) after being applied to the target, if this is the case the warhead is very suitable for hitting targets in the form of bunkers. Although sophisticated, Kessler said that Taurus was not designed to carry nuclear warheads.
In South Korea, Taurus is installed on F-15K fighter jets, while Spain uses Taurus on the F/A-18 Hornet, and Germany installs Taurus on Tornado and Typhoon. Since being launched, the wings on the missile will expand, and make Taurus fly like a jet-powered drone with a deadly delivery mission.
Kessler said that Taurus can fly following the contours of the earth's surface with a flight altitude of less than 30 meters, this makes Taurus more difficult to detect by radar. South Korea, which is on war alert, is now the only country in Asia to use the Taurus KEPD 350.