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South Korea Conducts Live Test of Taurus Missile Amid Rising Tensions with North Korea.
Amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean Air Force (RoKAF) recently conducted live-fire drills featuring the German-designed Taurus missile. This exercise, held on October 8 and 10 over the Yellow Sea, has drawn international attention, especially from Ukraine, which has long expressed interest in acquiring such capabilities to counter Russian forces. These tests underscore Seoul's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities amid ongoing provocations from North Korea.
The Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagle, assigned to the 11th Fighter Wing, arrives for Korea Flying Training 2024 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 12, 2024 (Picture source: US DoD)
During the exercise, a Taurus missile was launched from an F-15K fighter jet, traveling over 400 kilometers to hit its designated target. A video released by RoKAF documented the entire process, from integrating the missile onto the aircraft to its launch. Beyond these live tests, RoKAF also implemented scenarios to intercept potentially hostile cruise missiles, involving both F-15K and F-35A Lightning II jets, though the exact number of aircraft used was not disclosed.
The Taurus missiles demonstrated their ability to identify and track enemy cruise missiles moving at high speed and low altitude. The E-737 early warning and control aircraft played a crucial role, relaying real-time information to other aircraft and the central control center. This exercise, part of a broader training program to counter cruise missile threats, enhances South Korea’s defensive posture as tensions remain high.
These missile drills follow a series of provocations from North Korea, including the deployment of propaganda balloons toward South Korea and threats to cut off ground and rail communications. North Korea also announced plans to fortify its border defenses, accusing South Korea and the United States of destabilizing actions. This South Korean military response recalls similar missile tests conducted in 2017 in reaction to North Korea's nuclear tests.
The Taurus KEPD-350 missile, developed by Germany's MBDA in collaboration with Saab Bofors Dynamics, is designed for deep-strike missions. With a range exceeding 500 kilometers, it allows engagement of heavily fortified targets from a secure distance. Powered by the Williams P8300-15 turbofan engine, the missile combines precision with fuel efficiency. Its two-stage warhead, MEPHISTO, is engineered to penetrate bunkers and underground structures before detonation, targeting strategic facilities.
Equipped with advanced guidance systems, including GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain reference navigation (TRN), the Taurus KEPD-350 maintains high accuracy even in GPS-denied environments. This missile, weighing 1,400 kg and measuring 5.1 meters in length, can be deployed on various platforms, including the F-15K and Eurofighter Typhoon, enhancing South Korea’s strike capabilities.
Integrating the Taurus missile into South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagle fleet aligns with its "kill chain" strategy, aimed at quickly neutralizing North Korean command centers and fortified positions housing nuclear or conventional missiles in the event of conflict. In 2023, South Korean defense firm LIG Nex1 and Taurus Systems signed an MoU to adapt the KEPD-350K missile for the FA-50 light attack aircraft, further expanding Seoul’s long-range strike options.
In parallel, South Korea conducted interception exercises involving KF-16 and F-35A fighter jets coordinated with E-737 "Peace Eye" surveillance aircraft. These early warning aircraft, capable of tracking thousands of targets simultaneously, play a central role in detecting and neutralizing low-altitude cruise missiles that are challenging to detect and intercept.
The F-35A’s advanced sensors and avionics are designed for effective operations in contested airspace, providing a higher probability of intercepting enemy missiles before they reach their targets. The KF-16, an upgraded version of the American F-16, is equipped with sophisticated radar and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, allowing precise interception of aerial threats.
These exercises, part of a multi-layered defense strategy, highlight South Korea's readiness to respond swiftly to North Korean threats, which often involve low-altitude, fast-moving projectiles designed to evade detection. By showcasing advanced weaponry such as the Taurus missile, South Korea sends a clear message of deterrence to North Korea.
South Korea appears well-prepared to respond to any escalation, with a highly capable air force equipped for precision strikes and defensive operations. The Taurus missile, with its ability to target strategic facilities, offers South Korea a critical technological advantage amid rising threats from Pyongyang.
In summary, these missile tests and interception exercises underline South Korea’s commitment to reinforcing its defense and deterrence strategies against the persistent threats from North Korea.