A Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen C has launched a Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile for the first time during a test at the Vidsel Test Range in Norrbotten. The live firing, carried out on Thursday, gives Sweden a new long-range air-to-surface capability and advances integration of the German-Swedish stand-off weapon on the Gripen fleet.
The missile was fired with a live round, identified by the yellow stripe visible in video released the same day. Taurus KEPD 350 is designed for high-value and hardened targets at stand-off range and is reported to have a range of more than 500 kilometres.
Taurus Systems GmbH developed the weapon as a joint venture involving MBDA Deutschland and Saab. Publicly available details on the test remain limited, with no disclosure of the aircraft’s loadout, flight profile or measured performance. The launch nevertheless opens the way for Sweden to field a deeper strike option from its frontline fighter force.