Saab Secures € 155M Contract for German TAURUS KEPD 350 Upgrades and Maintenance
The contract, spanning 2025 to 2035, includes comprehensive system upgrades to enhance the operational capabilities of the German Air Force’s TAURUS missile inventory.
3 March 2025 – Saab has been awarded a SEK 1.7 billion contract for the modernisation and lifecycle maintenance of the TAURUS KEPD 350 air-launched cruise missile system. The contract, spanning 2025 to 2035, includes comprehensive system upgrades to enhance the operational capabilities of the German Air Force’s TAURUS missile inventory.
Strategic Partnership for Long-Range Strike Capability
Saab received the contract from TAURUS Systems GmbH, the German prime contractor responsible for the TAURUS KEPD 350 programme. TAURUS Systems is a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Saab, with expertise in advanced long-range strike weapons. The contract was initially placed by Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), reflecting Germany’s commitment to maintaining a state-of-the-art missile arsenal.
“TAURUS KEPD 350 enables the user to defeat targets at long ranges required for the most demanding air operations. The latest upgrades will provide the German Air Force with significant improvements in performance and mission effectiveness,”
– Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab’s Business Area Dynamics
Großwald
Key Modernisation Upgrades and Lifecycle Maintenance
The scope of the contract includes:
- Next-generation navigation and targeting enhancements – improving precision-strike capability in GPS-denied environments.
- Software and guidance system upgrades – optimizing penetration and impact effectiveness against fortified and high-value targets.
- Advanced mission planning integration – ensuring seamless compatibility with future combat aircraft avionics and sensor suites.
- Structural and component life-extension program – increasing missile longevity through ten-year lifecycle maintenance and periodic refurbishment.
TAURUS KEPD 350: A Proven Long-Range Strike System
The TAURUS KEPD 350 is an air-launched stealth cruise missile with a range exceeding 500 km. It is specifically designed for deep penetration strikes, allowing air forces to neutralize high-value, well-defended targets without exposing aircraft to enemy air defenses. Key features include:
- Hard and deeply buried target (HDBT) penetration – utilizing a dual-stage warhead (MEPHISTO) to destroy reinforced structures.
- Terrain-following flight mode – ensuring low observability and survivability against enemy air defenses.
- Fire-and-forget capability – enabling autonomous target engagement after launch.
- All-weather, day-and-night operational capability – allowing for high mission flexibility.
The missile is currently integrated with platforms such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Panavia Tornado, and F/A-18 Hornet, providing a force multiplier for precision deep-strike missions.
