MONTREAL — Sweden will soon have the capability to conduct deep strikes far behind enemy lines, as the Gripen will be integrated with the German-made Taurus cruise missile earlier than planned, the Swedish air chief said. A document published in February by agency officials noted that the planned initial operational capability of the Taurus KEPD-350 air-launched cruise missile on the JAS39 Gripen C/D was first expected by 2028. The missile was developed by Taurus Systems GmbH, a German-Swedish joint venture between MBDA Deutschland and Saab. A South Korean Air Force F-15K fighter jet releases a Taurus missile during a drill off the country's western coast on Sept. 13, 2017. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)“The capability itself is very important because we haven’t had any deep-strike or offensive counter-air capabilities before.

Source: Punch December 22, 2025 10:54 UTC