Sweden has announced a deal to acquire four new frigates from France's Naval Group SA in an estimated $5 billion investment. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the move as one of the largest Swedish defense investments since the introduction of the Gripen fighter jet in the 1980s.
The procurement is part of a broader rearmament effort and a race to build up military capabilities following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Sweden's accession to NATO in 2024. The vessels are intended to modernize the Swedish navy and help secure the Baltic Sea from Russian threats, allowing the Nordic state to play a larger role in NATO's maritime defenses.
The frigates, which are expected to cost approximately $1.1 billion each, will be the largest surface warships in the Swedish navy. Deliveries are planned to start in 2030. According to Prime Minister Kristersson, the acquisition will result in a tripling of Sweden's air defense capability compared to current levels.