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On 18th of December 2025, TAURUS Systems GmbH (TSG), an MBDA/SAAB Joint Venture, and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) signed a contract preparing a serial production line to produce a capability enhanced TAURUS NEO stand-off guided missile system. Against this backdrop, MBDA plans to produce large quantities in Germany.
Thomas Gottschild, MBDA Executive Group Director Strategy, declared in a company news release: “MBDA has always been committed to delivering decisive capabilities that ensure European sovereignty. With TAURUS NEO, Germany is specifically building up its state-of-the-art deep strike capabilities, thereby providing a critical contribution to the deterrence capabilities of Europe and NATO. In so doing, MBDA demonstrates its unique expertise in Europe, offering a comprehensive portfolio of deep strike solutions launched from the ground, air, surface, and sub-surface.”
The Bundeswehr is strengthening its deep strike capability with the procurement of TAURUS NEO. This missile enables the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) to overcome enemy air defence systems from a safe distance, minimizing the risks to pilots and platforms. With a range of over 500 kilometres and the highest standards in terms of precision, TAURUS makes an important contribution to deterrence and to national and allied defence.
MBDA has already begun work on developing the new technologies in the framework of the TAURUS maintenance and modernization contract received in December 2024. This enhances the earliest possible availability of the first systems. In addition, the new contract provides further development of new and advanced capabilities, and the expanded production capacity of the TAURUS modular stand-off weapon.
Between 2023 and 2025 MBDA will have doubled the production of new missiles for the group as a whole and will continue to invest EUR 2.4 billion between 2025 and 2029 to ensure the ramp-up of production over the coming years.
On Jan. 15, 2024 Airbus Defence and Space started flight tests on Taurus stand-off precision missiles on the Eurofighter Typhoon Instrumented Production Aircraft 7 (IPA7), operated by Eurofighter Project Pilot Chris Worning. The first flight took place at Manching Military Air Systems Center in the north of Munich. After the successful completion of the functional ground test at the end of last year and taxi tests, which were carried out up until yesterday, Airbus Defence and Space has begun an intensive flight test programme with flutter tests, air data system large store interference assessment and aerodynamic data gathering.
The activities are taking place as part of the Storm Shadow integration programme. Concurrent testing of these two similar missiles optimises the Storm Shadow integration and facilitates the future airframe integration of Taurus. Taurus KEPD 350 is a German/Swedish missile that is manufactured by Taurus Systems GmbH, a partnership between MBDA Germany and Saab Dynamics.
Photo credit: MBDA, Airbus
Dario Leone: All articles
