Germany has awarded TAURUS Systems, jointly owned by MBDA and Saab, a contract to produce the TAURUS NEO long-range stand-off missile, reinforcing the Bundeswehr’s deep strike and suppression of enemy air defense capabilities. The agreement, signed with BAAINBw, lays the groundwork for full-scale serial production of the advanced missile system.
The TAURUS NEO missile, capable of striking targets beyond 500 kilometers, is designed to allow the German Air Force to engage high-value targets from safe stand-off distances. MBDA stated that the system will play a key role in strengthening NATO’s collective defense posture, offering precision engagement supported by cutting-edge guidance and survivability technologies.
As a modular, next-generation weapon, TAURUS NEO supports deployment from multiple platforms, including manned and unmanned aircraft, ground-based launchers, and potentially naval vessels. Its advanced navigation, autonomous target recognition, and electronic countermeasure resistance provide reliable performance against modern integrated air defense systems.
Work on the enhanced missile architecture began in late 2024 under an earlier modernization agreement, helping accelerate system availability. The new production contract further expands manufacturing capacity and aligns with MBDA’s rapid missile production growth, which has doubled since 2023 and is backed by multi-billion-euro investments to meet rising European defense demand.
