TSAMTO, November 23. The German-Swedish defense company Taurus Sytems GmbH expects to work with specialists from the Republic of Korea to develop an air-launched cruise missile that will have a smaller size and a longer launch range.
Kristoffer Drevstad, head of the South Korean division of Taurus Systems Korea Co, told Yonhap that the missile is designed for advanced KF-X fighters and other aircraft.
The Republic of Korea purchased the existing version OF the kepd-350K air-to-ground cruise missile with a range of 500 km to equip F-15K fighters. According to experts, these munitions can be used to destroy radar stations and other important objects on the territory of the DPRK.
According to K. Drevstad, the range of the new missile will exceed 600 km and it will be able to carry lighter fighters, including KF-X and FA-50.
Currently, the German-Swedish company is searching for a partner with whom it could develop and produce a rocket in Korea. About a month ago, Taurus Sytems GmbH sent proposals to a number of South Korean firms and is now awaiting their responses.
As part of the KF-X project, the defense Ministry of the Republic of Korea is working on creating a modern national fighter that will replace the outdated F-4 and F-5 aircraft. After the project was approved last year, Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI) began final Assembly of the prototype aircraft, which is expected to be rolled out in the first half of next year. The development is planned to be completed by 2026.
In 2018, Seoul decided to develop its own air-launched cruise missile and independently conducts R & d in this area.
According to K. Drevstad, the Republic of Korea will eventually be able to successfully develop its own missile to hit fortified structures, but this may take more than 15 years, since it has not developed such ammunition before. At the same time, Taurus plans to spend about three years on joint development with its Korean partner. If interested in the proposal, the South Korean government must submit its requirements for the rocket to the company.
As reported by TSAMTO, in June 2013, the defense procurement program Agency of the Ministry of defense of the Republic of Korea (DAPA) decided to purchase the kepd-350 KR from Taurus Systems GmbH. Officially, the number of missiles purchased and their cost were not disclosed, but, according to estimates, 170-180 KR were purchased, the cost of which is estimated at 388 billion RUBLES. won ($344 million). in 2018, the Republic of Korea signed a contract for the additional purchase of 90 KEPD-350K.