Sweden launched a Taurus missile from a Gripen fighter jet for the first time
Kyiv • UNN
Sweden conducted the first confirmed launch of a Taurus from a JAS 39 Gripen at the Vidsel test range. Full operational readiness has not yet been achieved.
Sweden has conducted the first launch of a TAURUS KEPD 350 cruise missile from a JAS 39 Gripen fighter at the Vidsel range in Norrbotten. The Swedish Air Force reported this, UNN writes.
Details
The test took place on August 21 and became the first officially confirmed launch of a Taurus from a Swedish Gripen. The Swedish Air Force noted that the missile is intended to provide the country with a new long-range strike capability.
Sweden announced the integration of the Taurus with the JAS 39 in 2025. The test launch indicates that the program has moved to the flight-testing stage, although full operational readiness has not yet been achieved.
TAURUS KEPD 350 is a long-range air-launched cruise missile developed by the German-Swedish company Taurus Systems. Its integration is expected to expand the strike capabilities of Sweden's Gripen fighters.
The Swedish military had previously planned to acquire the new capability by 2028, but efforts are being made to accelerate the missile's integration.