TAURUS Systems, the MBDA–Saab joint venture, has secured a production contract from the German government for the next-generation TAURUS NEO stand-off missile, significantly enhancing Germany’s deep-strike capabilities.
The contract, signed with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, lays the foundation for serial production of the capability-upgraded missile.
Featuring a range in excess of 500 kilometers, the TAURUS NEO allows the German Air Force to strike enemy air defense assets and high-value targets from extended stand-off distances, improving survivability for pilots and aircraft.
According to MBDA, the system will play a vital role in both national and NATO defense, combining precision, modularity, and advanced technologies in a modern stand-off weapon.
Designed as a next-generation long-range missile, TAURUS NEO is optimized for precision engagement of hardened and well-defended targets. Its modular design enables integration across multiple launch platforms, including airborne, ground-based, and potentially maritime systems, providing operational flexibility.
High-end navigation, target identification, and countermeasure-resistant technologies ensure reliable performance and survivability, even in contested air defense environments.
Technology development for the missile began under a TAURUS maintenance and modernization contract awarded in December 2024, accelerating readiness of the first operational systems.
The new contract expands manufacturing capacity while supporting further capability enhancements, ensuring the missile system continues to meet evolving mission requirements.
MBDA has doubled its missile production output since 2023 and plans to invest €2.4 billion ($2.8 billion) between 2025 and 2029 to support sustained production growth.
