Sweden to integrate Taurus missiles on Gripen C fighter jets

Sweden will procure and integrate Taurus KEPD-350 cruise missiles on JAS 39 Gripen C fighter aircraft for the country's Air Force by 2028.

Here's What We Know

This became known from the annual report of the Swedish Ministry of Defence, and the purchase of new missiles will be part of the strengthening of the strike capabilities of the armed forces. At the same time, Saab has been tasked with upgrading and integrating the new weapons into Gripen C and Gripen E fighters.

The Swedish Defence Equipment Administration has already sent a request to Taurus and instructed Saab to integrate the missiles into the aircraft in a short time. Operational deployment of the KEPD-350 is scheduled for 2028, initially for a limited number of Gripen C aircraft.

The upgraded Gripen E will be brought to the Block 4 (MS23) configuration, which will allow the new weapon type to be fully deployed only in 2033.

The Swedish Air Force is currently implementing a large-scale fleet renewal programme, which includes both the modernisation of older aircraft and the further development of new versions of the JAS 39 E. The investment for this programme was made in 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in 2029.

The JAS 39 E development and procurement programme was changed in 2020-2024 due to the plans to assist Ukraine in 2024-2025. This has affected the delivery schedule, which will be slower, with delivery expected to be completed by 2030.

Between 2025 and 2035, 60 JAS 39 C/D aircraft will be upgraded to maintain operational flexibility. At the same time, the gradual withdrawal of up to 45 units of this type will depend on the readiness and operational capability of the JAS 39 E in the coming years.

Source: Swedish Ministry of Defence