Sweden's Gripen Fighter Jet Successfully Test-Fires Taurus Cruise Missile for First Time

Sweden's air force has taken a significant leap in its offensive capabilities, successfully conducting the first live-fire test of the Taurus KEPD 350 long-range cruise missile from a JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet. The crucial test took place on August 21 at the Vidsel Test Range in northern Sweden, with the Swedish Air Force releasing footage of the exercise.

The missile, visibly marked as a live warhead with yellow tags, demonstrated Sweden's commitment to establishing a new deep-strike capability. The Taurus KEPD 350, a product of German-Swedish collaboration, boasts a range of over 500 kilometers and can fly at speeds of approximately 1170 kilometers per hour. Its design targets hardened and deeply buried objectives, including underground command facilities, bunkers, airports, and bridges, utilizing a 481-kilogram "MEPHISTO" multi-stage penetration warhead.

While the compatibility between the Taurus missile and the Gripen fighter was known since the early 2000s, Sweden officially initiated integration and procurement efforts only in February 2025. The initial plan was to implement this capability by 2028, but the recent test suggests an acceleration of these efforts. Following the integration with the JAS 39C Gripen, the Taurus missile is also slated for integration with the next-generation JAS 39E fighter.

Major General Jonas Wikman, commander of the Swedish Air Force, previously stated that the air force had historically lacked deep strike and offensive air superiority capabilities, focusing primarily on defense. The introduction of the Taurus missile signifies a major shift in the Swedish Air Force's strategic direction. The ongoing integration work between the Taurus and Gripen continues, with this live-fire test serving as a vital validation point for the program.

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Today a TAURUS KEPD 350 cruise missile was launched from a Swedish JAS 39 Gripen for the first time. The test was conducted at the Vidsel Test Range in Norrbotten. Today TAURUS is a long-range cruise missile that introduces a new deep-strike capability.