Sweden has taken a key step in strengthening its air force’s long-range strike capabilities by selecting the Taurus KEPD-350 air-launched cruise missile for integration with its Gripen fighter jets.
The country’s defense procurement agency, FMV, has been tasked with acquiring the missiles from Germany and overseeing their integration into the Swedish Air Force’s fleet.
This decision was outlined in the annual report of the Swedish Ministry of Defense, which highlighted the procurement of a long-range attack weapon system as a key material investment.
The Taurus KEPD-350 is a stealthy, air-launched cruise missile developed by Germany’s Taurus Systems GmbH in collaboration with MBDA Deutschland GmbH (formerly LFK) and Saab Bofors Dynamics. The missile is designed for precision strikes against fortified and high-value targets.
It has a range of over 500 kilometers, making it a crucial addition to Sweden’s defense arsenal. Its advanced navigation system and ability to evade enemy air defenses ensure that it can be deployed effectively in modern combat scenarios.
The report revealed that the Taurus missile system will first be integrated into the JAS 39C Gripen, with initial operational capability expected by 2028.
The integration is carried out as part of the block upgrade order for the JAS 39 C/D and includes necessary support and planning systems for the weapon system.
A second phase of the program will see the missile integrated into the newer JAS 39E Gripen under the MS23 program, further expanding Sweden’s strike potential in the coming years.
FMV has already begun negotiations with its German counterpart and has tasked Swedish aerospace company SAAB AB with conducting necessary integration studies for the successful deployment of the new weapon system.
The procurement and integration process is a long-term investment, with full implementation expected to be completed by 2033. However, the report does not provide any details on the cost or quantity of the investment.
Taurus Missile To Extend Strike Range
This is the first time Sweden has decided to acquire an attack missile with such long-range capabilities. This decision is likely part of Sweden’s broader efforts to strengthen its military readiness amid rising security concerns regarding potential threats from Russia.
Mats Helgesson, the former chief of the Swedish Air Force, emphasized the strategic advantage of the Taurus missile in a discussion with a local newspaper.
He explained that Swedish forces would be able to strike targets deep inside Russian territory without having to fly directly into hostile airspace. Instead of relying on traditional bombing runs that require close-range engagement, pilots could launch the missile from Swedish airspace, minimizing risk to both aircraft and crew.
With a range exceeding 500 kilometers, the Taurus will introduce an entirely new capability to Sweden’s Air Force.
“This is something that the Air Force has wanted for a long time. It allows you to reach goals in depth. The opponent already has such weapons, so you have a disadvantage if you don’t have them,” he added.
The missile’s integration with the Gripen fighter jet is expected to expand Sweden’s operational reach in the Baltic region. “Especially if, for example, you can fly all the way into the Baltic-Russian area. Then you reach far into Russia,” according to Helgesson.
The ability to engage enemy positions from a safe distance is particularly valuable in modern warfare, where air defense systems are becoming increasingly advanced and effective.
Fabian Hoffmann, a doctoral research fellow at the Oslo Nuclear Project, noted that speculation about Sweden acquiring the Taurus missile had been circulating for weeks.
He suggested that Sweden’s defense leadership might prefer to keep certain operational details undisclosed to maintain an element of uncertainty for potential adversaries.
What stands out, according to Hoffmann, is the relatively short timeline for achieving initial operational capability.
He noted that when MBDA Germany offered an upgraded version of the Taurus missile to the German military in October last year, they projected a four- to five-year timeline to restart production, with the first deliveries expected by 2029.
However, Sweden’s timeline appears to be much faster, with the first missiles set to be delivered in just three years. “This new timeline suggests that the first missile will be delivered in about three years, which aligns more closely with expectations I had,” he added.
He also jokingly questioned whether the export contract includes Bundeswehr soldiers to operate the missile from Sweden, referring to the explanation given over the past two years for why Germany could not supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
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