Cruise Missile
Taurus KEPD 350
The Taurus KEPD 350 is an air-launched cruise missile made by Taurus Systems of Germany and Sweden, in service with the Luftwaffe since 2005. It carries a 480 kg warhead designed for bunkers and reaches over 500 km.
Germany|Taurus Systems GmbH (MBDA Deutschland & Saab Bofors Dynamics)What Is the Taurus KEPD 350? Overview, History and Development
Taurus Systems GmbH, a joint venture of MBDA Deutschland and Saab Bofors Dynamics, developed the KEPD 350 in the 1990s; the first flight was in 1998, and German service entry followed in 2005. The missile is about 5.1 m long, weighs roughly 1,400 kg and uses a Williams P8300-15 turbofan to fly subsonic at about Mach 0.95, 30–40 m above ground. Navigation combines inertial, GPS, terrain-reference and an infrared image-matching seeker.
The 480 kg MEPHISTO two-stage penetrator targets hardened and deeply buried sites. Operators are Germany, Spain and South Korea, which ordered about 260 for its F-15K in 2013. A unit cost of roughly 1 million euros in the 2000s now sits around 2 million, according to reports. Taurus Neo, announced in 2023, targets a 2,000 km range, with production aimed at about 2029. Ukraine asked repeatedly for the missile, but Germany declined in 2024 and no delivery is confirmed as of 2026.
Taurus KEPD 350 Specifications: Range, Speed, Warhead and Guidance
Taurus KEPD 350 Variants and Versions Compared
The standard missile in service with Germany and Spain, with a range officially above 500 km.
A modernised version announced in 2023, with a 2,000 km range target and a new warhead, planned for around 2029.
The version ordered by South Korea for its F-15K fighters.
Which Countries Use the Taurus KEPD 350? Operators and Users
Germany
Spain
South KoreaTaurus KEPD 350 FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How much does the Taurus KEPD 350 cost?
The Taurus KEPD 350 costs around 2 million euros per missile today, according to reports, up from about 1 million euros in the 2000s. Prices vary by contract and are not officially published.
What is the range of the Taurus missile?
The Taurus KEPD 350 has an official range of over 500 km, with the exact figure not published. It flies about 30–40 m above the ground at Mach 0.95 to avoid radar.
Taurus vs Storm Shadow: which is better?
The Taurus KEPD 350 carries a larger warhead, at 480 kg, and has a range above 500 km, while the Storm Shadow reaches roughly 250–560 km depending on the source. Taurus is heavier, and the MEPHISTO penetrator targets deep bunkers.
Which countries have the Taurus missile?
The Taurus KEPD 350 is used by Germany, Spain and South Korea. Germany operates it on its Tornado aircraft, Spain on the EF-18 and Eurofighter, and South Korea on the F-15K, with about 260 missiles ordered in 2013.
Why did Germany not send Taurus to Ukraine?
Germany did not send Taurus missiles to Ukraine because Chancellor Olaf Scholz declined in 2024, citing fears of escalation with Russia. No delivery has been confirmed as of 2026, and the question remains politically contested.
Is Taurus used by Türkiye?
Türkiye does not use the Taurus KEPD 350. It builds its own SOM and SOM-J cruise missiles at TÜBİTAK SAGE, with the SOM having a range of about 250 km.
