Sweden receives Taurus missiles from Germany for Gripen deep strikes

Sweden has taken delivery of Taurus KEPD 350 long-range cruise missiles purchased from German military stocks, bringing its Gripen fighter fleet closer to acquiring a deep-strike capability.

The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) confirmed the delivery to Swedish business daily Dagens industri (Di) in a report published on November 2, 2026.

According to the newspaper, Sweden is also preparing to participate in the development of a new version of the missile.

Taurus integration on Gripen targets 2028

Sweden announced plans to acquire the Taurus and integrate it on the JAS 39 Gripen in February 2025.

According to the Swedish Armed Forces’ 2024 annual report, published that month, FMV was tasked with purchasing the missile from Germany and integrating it first on the JAS 39C, with initial operational capability planned for 2028. Integration on the newer Gripen E is expected to follow.

The program reached a significant step on August 21, 2026, when a Gripen C launched a Taurus for the first time during a test at the Vidsel Test Range in northern Sweden. The Swedish Air Force described the weapon as a long-range cruise missile that would introduce a new deep-strike capability.

Swedish military officials have since been explicit about how that capability could be used. In October 2026, Colonel Carl Bergqvist, head of the Swedish Air Force’s Air Warfare Center, said that in the event of an attack on Sweden, the service would seek to strike military targets deep inside Russia.

Sweden eyes a role in the next generation of Taurus

Although Sweden is a new Taurus operator, its defense industry has been involved in the missile’s development for decades.

The Taurus KEPD 350 is manufactured by Taurus Systems GmbH, a joint venture between MBDA Deutschland and Saab Dynamics. With a range exceeding 500 kilometers (310 miles), the air-launched cruise missile is designed to penetrate air defenses and destroy hardened or deeply buried targets.

Germany, Spain and South Korea already operate the weapon, which is carried by aircraft including the Panavia Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon and F-15K Slam Eagle.

Germany is also investing in a successor, known as Taurus Neo. On December 18, 2025, Taurus Systems signed a contract with Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to prepare serial production of the upgraded missile for the German Air Force.

The agreement followed a December 2024 contract covering further development of the weapon’s capabilities.

Sweden’s reported interest in joining the next phase of Taurus development would build on Saab’s existing role in the program, while the Swedish Air Force prepares to introduce the missile into its own arsenal.

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