Sweden has initiated negotiations with Germany to acquire and integrate the Taurus KEPD-350 air-launched cruise missile on its Saab JAS 39 Gripen C fighter jets. According to an official document from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the missile will be introduced with an initial capability on the Gripen C, with a later integration planned for the Gripen E under project MS23.
FMV has been tasked with procuring the Taurus KEPD-350 from Germany and commissioning its integration on the Gripen C. Saab has been ordered to conduct time-critical activities for integration studies, which will assess the technical requirements for the missile’s deployment. The planned operational deployment, including deliveries of the MS20 Block 4 software update, is expected by 2028.
The Taurus KEPD-350 is a long-range precision strike missile developed jointly by Germany and Sweden, designed for deep penetration against hardened and fortified targets. Although it was originally developed with compatibility for the Gripen, Sweden has not previously acquired the system.
This decision aligns with Sweden’s broader air force modernisation strategy, which includes gradually retiring 45 Gripen C/D aircraft from its current fleet of 105. These will be replaced with newly built Gripen E/F fighters, while 60 existing Gripen C/Ds will be upgraded to maintain operational capability.
The Gripen has previously been displayed carrying the Taurus missile at airshows, but it is unclear whether live-fire tests have been conducted. The new integration effort will determine the necessary modifications for the aircraft and its weapons systems.
As a NATO member, Sweden may also explore alternative strike capabilities such as the American AGM-158 JASSM, already in service with alliance partners like Poland. However, the Taurus KEPD-350 remains a highly capable option, comparable to the British-French Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missile.
The Taurus missile has a range of 500 km, flies at high-subsonic speeds (Mach 0.95), and can operate at very low altitudes to avoid detection. It is equipped with a 481 kg MEPHISTO warhead, designed to penetrate deep into hardened structures with a dual-stage detonation system.
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