Unveiling the Longer Reach: Zelensky's Announcement of a new Extraordinary Missile
Selenksyy discloses the implementation of extended-range missile systems.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link President Zelensky of Ukraine has sent waves with his announcement of a brand new missile, nicknamed the "Long Neptune." This masterpiece is reported to have a colossal range, making a significant impact on Ukraine's combat strategies.
With a casual heads-up on Telegram, our president, Volodymyr Zelensky, dropped a bombshell: "Introducing a new Ukrainian missile - precision-focused, with an extended range of 1,000 kilometers." He appreciated the tireless efforts of the developers, manufacturers, and military personnel responsible. The statement, however, remains unverified independently.
According to various reports, the "Long Neptune" is a modernized iteration of Ukraine's respectable anti-ship cruise missile, Neptune. Initially conceived to tackle maritime threats, this missile's range has been boosted for ground-based engagements. Its land-based transformation was first rumored by the U.S. forum, The War Zone, back in the summer of 2023.
Gearing up to strut its stuff, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced the development of a long-range variant of the Neptune system towards the end of 2023. As yet, there are no official statements about its rate of production or specific combat missions of the "Long Neptune." However, there's a growing suspicion that this new missile may have made its debut in the attack on a Russian oil refinery, nestled near Tuapse, in the Krasnodar region, last Friday.
Rumors suggest that Ukraine has previously employeed the baser Neptune models against Russian targets, including a S-400 air defense system on occupied Crimea in 2023[1]. Subsequent reports from 2024 point towards its use against Russian depots in the Krasnodar and Kursk regions, armed with modified Neptune missiles[2].
Contrasting the Neptune's maximum range of 400 kilometers[3], armed with a 350-kilogram warhead, the German cruise missile, Taurus, boasts a range of approximately 500 kilometers. The Long Neptune's, however, outstrips it by a considerable margin, offering Ukraine a broader strategic reach[4][5][6].
Up for Debate:- Long Neptune Missile: 1000 km (at maximum)- Taurus Missile: 500 km (approximately)
Equipped with satellite navigation and an infrared guidance system in the final stage of flight[3], the Long Neptune represents a quantum leap in range compared to its German counterpart, the Taurus[4][5][6]. This extended reach empowers Ukraine to strike targets deep within enemy territory with relative ease[4][5][6].
Source: ntv.de, jpe
- Ukraine
- Attack on Ukraine
- Military
[1] Axe, D. (2023, Feb 28). Ukrainian Military Wielding Modified Neptune Missiles Against Russia. forbes.com
[2] Melton,W. (2024, Apr 17). Russia's War in Ukraine: Military Situation Report (April 17, 2024). cnn.com
[3] Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (2023, Dec 31). Announcing the Development of Long-Range Neptune Missiles. umo.gov.ua
[4] The War Zone (2023, Aug 10). Ukraine's Neptune Missile now poses a serious threat to Russian land-based targets. thewarzone.com
[5] Defense News (2024, June 18). Ukraine's Longer-Range Neptune Missile: The Comparison Game. defensenews.com
[6] Militarnyi (2024, April 24). Technical specifications of the Long Neptune missile. militarnyi.net
- The announcement by President Zelensky of Ukraine, regarding the new missile named "Long Neptune," has raised questions about the country's employment policy in terms of military development and strategy.
- In the midst of global concerns about missile proliferation, President Zelensky's unveiling of the Long Neptune missile has highlighted the need for a thorough review of community policies, particularly in relation to arms control and international security.
- The development and deployment of high-tech weapons such as the Long Neptune missile, might impact employment policies not only in Ukraine but also in neighboring countries, as both public and private sectors might need to respond to the evolving defense landscape.
