Taurus, ATACMS, Storm Shadow, Scalp: These Western cruise missiles are the essence of Ukraine WirtschaftsWoche

For months, the delivery of Western cruise missiles to Ukraine has been the focus of debate over arms supplies. What systems are involved and what they can achieve in the war with Russia. An overview.

Since the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive at home, cruise missiles have become one of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s most urgent demands on his allies. Russia has fortified its defensive bunkers and it appears that the only way to gain ground is through targeted attacks against the enemy’s military infrastructure.

But things have not evolved as clearly as Ukraine would like. Instead of acting quickly, the West, especially Germany, hesitated.

Now, with a new US decision, there has been renewed movement on the issue of new missile deliveries. The following overview shows which systems are involved and what the issues are:

The “Army Tactical Missile System”, or ATACMS, is a special type of artillery ammunition. It is fired from ground-based Himars or MLRS rocket launchers, both already in use in Ukraine. The four-meter-long ATACMS fly up to 300 kilometers at three times the speed of sound. This allows them to hit targets far behind enemy lines.

The manufacturer Lockheed Martin, which also produces the new F-35 stealth bombers for the Bundeswehr, has been continuously building and developing artillery rockets since the 1980s. The Americans have already used different versions in the Gulf Wars or in the fight against the so-called “ Islamic state”. It is possible to equip it with a robust warhead (interesting for Ukraine), but also with cluster munitions.

What does this bring to Ukraine?

The Ukrainian army has extremely powerful launch platforms with Himars and MLRS, but would like more effective munitions. So far, soldiers in their fight against Russia have mainly fired precision weapons with a range of around 80 kilometers. Even one or two howitzers can do this these days. With ATACMS, attacks on targets far behind the front line would be possible, making better use of existing launch systems. This is important because Russia is now placing its ammunition depots and command bases further behind the front in order to protect them. ATACMS could still hit these strategically important targets.

Can Ukraine take advantage of this?

Technically, nothing prevents this. The launchers have already arrived in the war. The US also gave up political resistance to the handover. Now we are initially talking about the delivery of a relatively small number of units – but they are being delivered. The White House had previously delayed the extradition due to concerns about Ukraine’s attacks on central Russia.

Source: dpa Picture Alliance

Behind the complicated name “Target Adaptive Unitary and Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System” (Taurus) is an air-to-ground cruise missile that is launched from an aircraft.

About five meters long and one meter wide, the suitcase-shaped rockets are capable of flying under enemy radar close to the ground and hitting enemy bunkers. An altitude radar, infrared sensor and GPS navigation independently guide you to your destination. Then Taurus attacks with a 400-pound metal penetrator packed with explosives. According to the Bundeswehr, the cruise missile is one of the most modern in the world and has a range of up to 500 kilometers.

The Taurus Systems GmbH consortium is building the rocket. Behind this is a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Sweden’s Saab Dynamics AB. The first test flight took place in 1999 – after different versions of the rocket were continuously developed and standardized, the Bundeswehr ordered 600 missiles in 2005 for a total price of 570 million euros.

What does this bring to Ukraine?

Although the ATACMS is particularly suitable against ammunition dumps, artillery rockets do not have the range and penetration of the Taurus. Ukraine primarily intends to attack supply routes, bridges and bunkers far behind the front line. Targeted bombing of Crimea, where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is anchored, would also be possible. Kiev assures us that it does not intend to launch an attack on central Russia with the Taurus.

Can Ukraine use it?

Not yet, because the Federal Chancellor has not yet made a decision on the delivery to date. Olaf Scholz’s concerns are too great that Ukraine could direct missiles away from Russian territory, contrary to its own promises. Scholz also fears the theoretically necessary sending of German soldiers and technicians to Ukrainian soil to prepare for the operation. In the traffic light coalition, the Chancellery is practically alone. Defense Minister Pistorius himself is probably not worried about a handover. After all, the Taurus-related “Storm Shadow” and “Scalp” missiles have been in use for a long time.

“Ukraine will be able to use Taurus within a few months,” the industry said in an interview with WirtschaftsWoche. The platform simply needs to be adapted to the Ukrainian Air Force fighters. The industry also assures that the range of cruise missiles can be technically reduced and that training and preparation of personnel can also be carried out in Germany.

Storm Shadow is a conventionally armed, air-launched cruise missile with a length of about five meters. The rocket is the Anglo-French counterpart of the German-Swedish Taurus. In Great Britain the system is called Storm Shadow, in France it is called Scalp.

Both variants of the cruise missile are intended to attack stationary targets, but have a range of just 250 kilometers. The missiles are intended for deep strikes at around 30 to 40 meters above the ground under enemy radar, which can also occur under difficult weather conditions. The targets aim to use an infrared sensor. Rockets in Ukraine also apparently use so-called decoys to confuse enemy air defenses.

The European MBDA consortium also builds the Scalp/Storm Shadow missiles. Development began in 1997. The British Royal Air Force put the weapon into service in 2002. Extradition to France began in 2004.

Can Ukraine use it and what is the benefit?

Yes, Ukraine is already actively using cruise missiles in the war against Russia. Apparently, the Soviet-designed Ukrainian aircraft can now launch the rockets without any problems. Little can be said about the exact influence of airstrikes. What is clear is that Russia has now had to withdraw its supply bases far behind the front. This suggests that the Scalp/Taurus range is having an impact.

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