Stockholm, September 1, 2026 – The Europe Today: France and Sweden have signed a €4.3 billion agreement for Sweden to acquire four French-built air defence frigates, marking a significant expansion of defence cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was signed in Stockholm during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Sweden. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and President Macron attended the signing ceremony.
Under the contract, French shipbuilder Naval Group will produce four frigates based on the Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) design. The first vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2030, with the remaining three to follow successively.
The vessels, which will form Sweden’s Luleå-class frigates, are equipped with advanced air-defence and anti-submarine capabilities and are intended to strengthen Sweden’s naval forces and its contribution to NATO’s integrated air and missile defence.
Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said the four frigates would triple Sweden’s current air-defence capability, describing the acquisition as a strategically important investment in the country’s security.
The frigates will also incorporate several systems supplied by Swedish defence companies, including Saab’s lightweight torpedoes, RBS 15 anti-ship missile system, Giraffe 1X surveillance radar and Trackfire remote weapon station, as well as naval gun systems supplied by BAE Systems Bofors.
Alongside the procurement contract, the two countries signed a framework agreement aimed at establishing a long-term strategic platform for cooperation in operational, defence equipment and industrial development matters.
Prime Minister Kristersson said the strengthened defence partnership would contribute to enhancing both European defence capabilities and NATO.
The agreement represents a further deepening of strategic ties between France and Sweden at a time when European countries are increasing defence investment and strengthening military capabilities. Sweden’s accession to NATO in 2024 and the deteriorating European security environment have accelerated efforts to reinforce its defence capacity.
