Sweden’s Air Force is on the verge of a significant enhancement that could reshape its role in Northern Europe’s security landscape. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has been assigned the task of acquiring and integrating the German-made TAURUS KEPD 350 cruise missile into the JAS-39C Gripen fighter jet, with the goal of achieving initial operational capability by 2028.
“This step ensures our pilots are equipped to face future challenges,” stated Lt. Col. Erik Nilsson, spokesperson for the Swedish Air Force, in a statement to The Aviationist on February 28, 2025. As Sweden strengthens ties with NATO allies and monitors regional threats, this decision marks a calculated shift in its defense strategy—one with implications extending beyond Scandinavia.
Equipping the Gripen with the TAURUS missile represents a turning point for Sweden, a country traditionally cautious about military escalation. Discussions with Germany commenced in late 2024, as reported by Eurasian Times, driven by Sweden’s full NATO membership and the increasing need to counter sophisticated air defenses.
According to a government document referenced by Jane’s Defence Weekly last week, FMV’s directive aims for the TAURUS to be operational on the Gripen C/D variant by 2028, with future compatibility planned for the newer Gripen E model.
“Sweden is positioning itself as a stronger player,” remarked former Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist in an interview with Defense News on March 1. “This is about more than just weaponry—it’s about deterrence.”
The TAURUS KEPD 350, developed by TAURUS Systems GmbH—a collaboration between MBDA Deutschland and Sweden’s Saab—is a formidable air-launched cruise missile. Measuring 16.7 feet long and weighing 3,086 pounds, it boasts a range exceeding 310 miles, powered by a Williams P8300-15 turbofan engine that propels it to speeds nearing Mach 0.95.
Its 1,058-pound warhead comes in two configurations: the MEPHISTO, designed for penetrating fortified structures using a dual-stage explosive, and a fragmentation variant for softer targets. The missile can be deployed from 40,000 feet and maintains low-altitude flight—down to 82 feet—using a sophisticated triple-navigation system consisting of INS, GPS, and terrain-referencing radar, making it difficult to detect by enemy radar.
An electro-optical sensor and infrared seeker allow for mid-flight target adjustments, while its retractable 6-foot wings enhance its stealth capabilities. “This is a precision weapon,” said retired German Luftwaffe Col. Hans Müller in a February interview with Military Embedded Systems. “It hits its mark—whether concrete or steel.”
For the Gripen, a lightweight multirole fighter, the addition of the TAURUS missile significantly enhances its strike capabilities. The JAS-39C, measuring 46 feet in length with a wingspan of 27.6 feet, has an empty weight of 14,600 pounds and is powered by a Volvo RM12 engine—derived from General Electric’s F404—which generates 18,100 pounds of thrust.
Capable of reaching Mach 2 and an altitude of 50,000 feet, the Gripen is already equipped with laser-guided bombs and anti-ship missiles such as the RBS15. However, integrating the TAURUS requires software upgrades to the MS20 Block 4 standard—a process FMV and Saab are coordinating with German engineers, according to Flight Global on February 27. “The Gripen’s agility combined with the TAURUS’ reach makes it a strong pairing,” said Saab systems analyst Anna Karlsson in a post on X today.
Sweden’s decision aligns with broader geopolitical shifts. Since officially joining NATO in March 2024, Stockholm has transitioned from neutrality to collective defense, a shift accelerated by Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the Baltic region. “We are fully aware of our regional security challenges,” said Swedish Air Force Chief Maj. Gen. Lena Hallin during a January 2025 briefing, as reported by Reuters.
With 81 Gripens in service—60 C/D models and 21 of the newer E variant, according to Flight Global—Sweden is strengthening its deterrence alongside partners like Finland and Norway. The TAURUS missile, already part of Germany’s arsenal, enhances interoperability within NATO—a factor FMV emphasized in its strategic planning, as noted by The Aviationist. “This is about ensuring seamless cooperation with our allies,” added Lt. Col. Nilsson.
Germany’s involvement extends beyond supplying the missile. On March 3, 2025, Saab announced a separate 1.7 billion SEK contract with TAURUS Systems GmbH to modernize and maintain Germany’s TAURUS stockpile until 2035, per a company press release.
The contract, valued at $159 million, focuses on system upgrades and long-term maintenance. However, Sweden’s primary focus remains on acquiring independent strike capability. “Germany’s trust in Saab underscores the missile’s reliability,” said Johan Andersson, a Stockholm-based defense analyst, in an email today. “For Sweden, though, this is about operational capability, not just servicing.”
The integration process presents technical challenges. Modifying the Gripen C/D to accommodate the TAURUS missile requires extensive testing, with the first flight trials scheduled for 2026, according to Eurasian Times. “Synchronizing a Swedish aircraft with a German missile adds complexity,” noted RAND Corporation analyst Sarah Johnson in a recent interview with Defense One. The cost of procurement and integration is estimated at around 2 billion SEK ($188 million), as mentioned by @NordicDefence in a post on X yesterday.
Public opinion in Sweden is mixed. “It’s a significant expense,” said Karin Eriksson, a teacher from Gothenburg, in an interview with Svenska Dagbladet on February 25. “But national security comes at a price.”
On the global stage, the move has drawn attention. “Sweden is strengthening its military capabilities in a quiet but effective manner,” commented Pierre Dubois, a Paris-based defense consultant, during a February podcast with Breaking Defense. Finland, which has ordered F-35s, sees potential for collaboration, while Poland—operator of F-16s—may consider TAURUS acquisition, according to Jane’s Defence Weekly.
Russia, meanwhile, remains watchful. “Any NATO military expansion near our borders is noted,” said Kremlin spokesperson Col. Dmitry Peskov in a statement to TASS on March 2, reiterating Moscow’s cautious stance without signaling escalation. Sweden, however, frames the development as a defensive measure rather than provocation. “Our goal is to protect our airspace,” reaffirmed Maj. Gen. Hallin.
Perspectives within Sweden also vary. “This step is long overdue,” said Capt. Lukas Bergman, a Gripen pilot, in a March 1 interview with SVT Nyheter. However, some question the shift. “Neutrality has safeguarded us for generations,” remarked Malmö resident Olaf Svensson in a conversation with The Local last week.
From a strategic standpoint, the United States views Sweden’s decision as a reinforcement of NATO’s northern flank. “This strengthens the alliance’s collective defense,” said former Pentagon official Emily Chen in a March 3 op-ed for Aviation Week. Germany, which possesses 600 TAURUS missiles, according to Defence Industry Europe, sees Sweden’s acquisition as a step toward deeper cooperation.
For Saab, the agreement provides both integration and maintenance opportunities, but FMV’s mission remains at the forefront. If the timeline holds, by 2028, Sweden’s Gripen C/D will be equipped with a cruise missile capable of striking deep into enemy territory, a capability the country has never had before. As Sweden navigates its evolving role within NATO, the TAURUS-Gripen combination could prove to be a crucial factor in maintaining stability in a region where tensions run high.
