With the production of the 300th Taurus missile in Schrobenhausen, the TAURUS KEPD 350 programme has reached a significant milestone.

On 23 May, the 300th operational Taurus missile left the final production line at MBDA Deutschland’s Schrobenhausen facility. The Taurus team has thus achieved the punctual handover to the German customer of half the 600 standoff guided missiles ordered.

Werner Kaltenegger, Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland, said: “The Taurus team has worked hard to ensure the timely delivery of this high performance strike weapon to the German customer. The team deserves the highest praise for its achievements to date. It is now the right time to start further development of a very successful TAURUS system in order to fulfil the requirements of our customers in the future”.

“Through an ongoing improvement process we can guarantee outstanding production efficiency and product quality. Our production process is stable to such an extent that we are optimistic that nothing will hinder delivery of the remaining missiles in line with the contract,” stated Helmut Hederer, Managing Director of Taurus Systems GmbH.

On 8 August 2002, the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) awarded a contract to TAURUS Systems GmbH for production investment, series production, delivery of 600 units and the establishment of logistic supportability for the MAW Taurus KEPD 350 weapon system. First delivery to the Luftwaffe of Taurus KEPD 350 missiles from series production took place in November 2005.

TAURUS Systems GmbH is a subsidiary of MBDA/LFK GmbH (2/3) and Saab Bofors Dynamics (1/3). Working together with partners and subcontractors, it manufactures the high precision standoff guided missile Taurus KEPD 350 for the Tornado and EF-18 aircraft. This missile, which enjoys high prestige throughout the world, ensures maximum terminal effectiveness over great ranges.