--- title: "Sweden Integrates Taurus Missiles on Gripen Fighters and Conducts First Launch: What Happened to Missiles for Ukraine" description: "Sweden has completed the integration of Taurus cruise missiles onto Gripen fighters and conducted its first launch in late August 2026. According to media reports, the munitions were transferred from German reserves." date: 2026-11-03T15:57:17.329Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sweden-integrates-taurus-missiles-gripen tags: [taurus-missile, sweden, germany, gripen, defense, ukraine] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Sweden Integrates Taurus Missiles on Gripen Fighters and Conducts First Launch: What Happened to Missiles for Ukraine ![Swedish multi-role fighter JAS 39 Gripen with Taurus missiles at an airfield](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/03/shvedskie-gripen-integrirovali-rakety-taurus/shvedskie-gripen-integrirovali-rakety-taurus-1.webp) ## Key Points - In late August 2026, Sweden conducted the first test launch of a Taurus cruise missile from a Gripen C fighter at the Vidsel range. - According to RBC-Ukraine, Sweden received a batch of Taurus missiles from German reserves; the exact quantity is classified. - The integration of Taurus onto the Gripen was completed more than a year ahead of the initial schedule (targeted for 2028). - Ukraine is reportedly scheduled to receive used Swedish Gripens in 2027, making compatibility with Taurus strategically significant. The Swedish Air Force has completed the integration of the German-Swedish Taurus (KEPD 350) cruise missile onto JAS 39 Gripen fighters and, in late August 2026, conducted its first combat launch from a Gripen C aircraft. According to RBC-Ukraine, for testing and subsequent armament, the Swedish side received a batch of Taurus missiles from the reserves of the German Armed Forces; the exact number of transferred munitions remains classified. This event marked a notable step in the modernization of Swedish aviation and simultaneously raised questions about why this weaponry, which Kyiv requested for strikes on Russian territory, was never supplied directly to Ukraine. ### First Launch from Gripen C The Swedish military released a 14-second video capturing the launch of a Taurus missile from a Gripen C fighter. According to reports, the test took place at the Vidsel test range in Norrbotten province. Markings on the launched missile indicated the presence of a warhead, which, according to experts, served as an additional argument that a real combat munition, rather than a training mockup, was used during the tests. For the Gripen platform, which had not previously been certified for this weapon, the launch confirmed the operability of the entire "aircraft — missile — control system" chain. ### Where the Missiles Came From: Germany and Other Operators The original Taurus series is no longer in production, leading observers to suggest that Sweden received the munitions from another state's reserves. In addition to Germany, Spain and South Korea operate Taurus missiles. According to open sources, between 2005 and 2010, the German Armed Forces purchased around 600 Taurus missiles to equip their Tornado aircraft; since then, several test launches have been conducted with the system, and the missile is expected to remain in service with the German Air Force until the mid-2040s. Importantly, the missiles alone are not enough for full deployment: a mission planning system is required to upload geospatial data into the munition before launch. It remains unclear whether Sweden received only the volume necessary for integration work or a batch sufficient for combat use. ### Record Integration Timeline The joint venture Taurus Systems GmbH (TSG), formed by MBDA Deutschland and Saab, announced the integration of Taurus on the Gripen as achieving an important milestone "in record time." According to Defense Express analysts, initial plans reported in 2025 estimated that work on the JAS 39C/D would not be completed before 2028, meaning integration was accomplished more than a year ahead of schedule. The acceleration of work was mentioned as early as December 2025 by the Commander of the Swedish Air Force, and in the second half of August 2026, the Swedish military officially confirmed the first Taurus launch from a Gripen. Thus, a European platform has acquired a new long-range strike capability, expanding the circle of nations capable of deploying this missile. ### Context: Taurus and the Issue of Transfer to Ukraine The integration of Taurus onto Swedish fighters takes on additional significance given that Ukraine is reportedly set to receive used Swedish Gripens as early as 2027. This means Kyiv could eventually acquire a platform compatible with this weaponry. The issue of transferring Taurus to Ukraine remained controversial in Germany: in March 2026, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to RBC-Ukraine reports, stated that he no longer saw the point in transferring Taurus missiles to Ukraine, considering Ukrainian weapons more effective. At the same time, while in opposition, Merz repeatedly expressed the intention to transfer these missiles for strikes on Russian territory, and in July 2025, after coming to power, he did not rule out such a transfer. In late 2025, the German parliament urged him to supply long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, recalling his previous public stances. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Швеция получила от Германии ракеты Taurus, которые раньше просила Украина](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/shvetsiya-otrimala-vid-nimechchini-raketi-1793718538.html) - Primary source: Sweden receiving a batch of Taurus from German reserves (quantity classified), launch from Gripen C in late August 2026, 14-second video, markings with warhead, Germany purchasing ~600 missiles in 2005–2010, Merz statements (March 2026, July 2025), parliament appeals in late 2025. - [Истребители Gripen интегрировали с ракетами Taurus](https://korrespondent.net/world/4914669-ystrebytely-Gripen-yntehryrovaly-s-raketamy-Taurus) - Confirms Taurus integration on Gripen 'in record time' (TSG, MBDA, Saab) and the first launch of Taurus KEPD 350 from a Swedish JAS 39 Gripen at the Vidsel range (Norrbotten). - [На истребитель Gripen "прицепили" ракеты Taurus: аналитики объяснили, почему это важно для нас](https://www.unian.net/weapons/na-istrebitel-gripen-pricepili-rakety-taurus-analitiki-obyasnili-pochemu-eto-vazhno-dlya-nas-13509345.html) - Confirms that integration on JAS 39C/D, scheduled for no earlier than 2028, was completed more than a year early; Swedish Air Force Commander spoke of acceleration in December 2025; first launch in second half of August 2026; Ukraine to receive former Swedish Gripens in 2027. ## FAQ ### When did Sweden conduct the first Taurus launch from a Gripen? In late August 2026; the launch of a Taurus (KEPD 350) cruise missile from a Gripen C fighter was captured on video and reportedly conducted at the Vidsel range in Norrbotten. ### Where did Sweden get the Taurus missiles from? According to RBC-Ukraine, Sweden received a batch of missiles from German Armed Forces reserves; the exact number of transferred munitions is classified. Experts also noted that Taurus missiles are in service with Spain and South Korea. ### How quickly was the Taurus integration on the Gripen completed? According to analysts, the original schedule projected completion no earlier than 2028, but the integration was finished more than a year ahead of schedule. ### What does this mean for Ukraine? Ukraine is reportedly scheduled to receive used Swedish Gripens in 2027, meaning it will eventually possess a platform compatible with Taurus, although direct transfer of these missiles to Ukraine has reportedly not taken place.