New Delhi. The Indian Air Force can take a big step towards further strengthening its long-range precision strike capability. Serious discussions are going on regarding Germany’s TAURUS KEPD 350E cruise missile, which the Air Force is considering to integrate with its indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft. If this deal goes ahead, India’s ‘deep-strike’ capability will increase manifold.
Deep-strike power will not be limited to Rafale
Till now, the Indian Air Force’s state-of-the-art long-range strike capability has been limited mainly to the Rafale aircraft and the SCALP-EG missiles equipped with them. Following the impressive performance of Scalp missiles in recent military operations, the Air Force wants similar capabilities to be provided to indigenous platforms like Tejas Mk1A and the future Tejas MkII. This need has made the Taurus missile a strong option.
Why is Taurus KEPD 350E special?
The biggest identity of Taurus missile is its MEPHISTO penetration technology. This technology enables the missile to understand how many layers or how thick of concrete it has traversed. This means that even if the enemy’s command center is hidden several floors underground, the missile can still explode at the right depth. This is why it is considered extremely effective in destroying bunkers, bridges and underground bases.
big advantage in price
Cost is also an important consideration for Air Force strategists. According to estimates, the price of a Scalp missile is quite high, while a Taurus missile can be available for about half that price. This means that more missiles can be purchased in the same budget, which will strengthen both the strike capability and stock in the long run.
adept at avoiding radar
Taurus missile is not only powerful but also very smart technically. It flies very close to the ground, making it difficult for enemy radar to catch it in time. This missile is said to be capable of delivering accurate strikes at ranges of more than 500 kilometres, while carving a path through hilly areas and valleys.
Tejas may be affected
Experts believe that it is technically possible to integrate the Taurus missile into the Tejas Mk1A and MkII. If this happens, indigenous fighter aircraft will also be able to target important enemy targets from long distances. With this, the Air Force will not have to depend on the limited Rafale fleet and the ability to act on multiple fronts simultaneously will develop.
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