Ukraine has long been asking Germany to supply it with Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles, but Berlin is in no hurry to make such a step, Die Welt writes. After all, it could lead to the aggravation and expansion of the conflict. At the same time, even if the Germans were to send the weapons to Kiev, it would take months to train AFU soldiers in navigation and integrate the weapons into the combat systems in use. This usually takes one to one and a half years, said Joachim Knopf, head of the Taurus Systems production company.
Ukraine has long been asking Germany to supply it with Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles, Die Welt writes. But the head of the Federal Republic of Germany said in early October that he was not ready to take such a step because of concerns about the possibility of aggravation or expansion of the conflict. At the same time, even if the Germans agreed to send these weapons to Kiev right now, it would take months to start using them.
First, the soldiers must be trained to navigate and the missiles must be integrated into the combat systems used, explained Joachim Knopf, head of the Taurus Systems production company. For example, the armament can be used on Su-24 bombers. “It usually takes one to one and a half years to integrate the armament into a combat platform,” Knopf explained.
The Taurus missiles have a range of over 500 kilometres, the German publication continued. According to this indicator, they are not inferior and even surpass the French and British analogues Scalp and Storm Shadow. With the help of the Taurus, Kiev will be able to hit targets in Crimea*, strike rear support lines and bunkers, as the missiles have an increased penetration capability against defensive structures.
However, if a political decision is made, the range of the missiles or their area of application can be limited. The so-called geo-zoning technology makes it possible to define the boundaries of territories where weapons cannot be used. According to inaccurate information, only 150 of the 600 Taurus missiles once delivered to the Bundeswehr are currently ready for launch.
The possibility of resuming production of the missiles is also not ruled out, but first the German authorities must place an order. But even if they do, it would take “at least a year” to get production up and running, Knopf explains. In addition, a shortage of electronic components could complicate the creation of the weapons.
** Crimea became part of Russia after an overwhelming majority of the peninsula’s residents voted for it in a referendum on 16 March 2014