Sweden orders French frigates in $4.25 billion push to boost Baltic defence

Sweden will acquire four frigates from France’s Naval Group in a deal worth around $4.25 billion, marking one of the country’s largest military investments since the 1980s as it accelerates naval expansion following its accession to NATO.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced the decision on May 19, saying the new vessels would significantly enhance Sweden’s maritime deterrence in the Baltic region amid heightened security concerns linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing British media.

The frigates are based on France’s Defence and Intervention (FDI) design and are expected to begin entering service from 2030.

The government said the acquisition would substantially increase Sweden’s air defence capability at sea, with the ships designed to integrate Swedish-developed systems, including technologies from the defence group Saab.

Kristersson said: "The Baltic Sea has never in the modern era been as exposed, questioned and contested as it is now," Kristersson told a press conference on board the Swedish naval corvette HMS Harnosand, docked in central Stockholm for the occasion.

"With this decision I am convinced Sweden is contributing to making the Baltic Sea considerably safer in the future."

The frigates will become the largest vessels in the Swedish navy and are expected to play a central role in securing maritime routes to Finland and the Baltic states in the event of a crisis. Swedish Navy Chief Johan Norlén said the expansion would improve coordination with NATO allies across the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the deal, highlighting deepening defence-industrial ties between Paris and Stockholm. He said on X:

"Sweden's decision reflected the countries' mutual trust, after France agreed to buy Saab's (SAABb.ST), opens new tab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control systems, and Paris invited Sweden to take part in ‌talks ⁠on European nuclear deterrence."

The agreement was awarded to Naval Group following competition from a joint bid by Britain’s Babcock and Saab, and another from Spain’s Navantia. Sweden has also outlined plans to expand its submarine fleet, including vessels under construction that Poland is set to procure.

Stockholm has increasingly prioritised defence spending since joining NATO, with officials signalling plans to reach 3.5% of GDP on military expenditure by 2030, well ahead of alliance targets.