Sweden signs deal to buy four French frigates worth 4.3 billion euros
The Swedish government signed a contract on Monday worth 4.3 billion euros to purchase four French frigates for defense and intervention purposes, in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm.
The contract was signed by Pierre-Eric Pommellet, CEO of the manufacturer Naval Group, and Mikael Granholm, Director of the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration.
Sweden has been continuing its rearmament efforts, which began with the outbreak of the Russian war on Ukraine in 2022 and its accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2024.
French Minister of Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin and her Swedish counterpart, Paul Jonson, also signed a framework agreement to enhance defense cooperation in the areas of operations, capabilities, and manufacturing.
Speaking aboard a French Admiral-class frigate, where the contract and framework agreement were signed at the port of Stockholm, Macron said, “We are forging a major, mutual, respect-based, and ambitious strategic partnership.”
For his part, the Swedish Prime Minister stated, “This highlights the strength and importance of this European defense pillar, and the extent to which French-Swedish cooperation has become a fundamental element within it.”
The French President also highlighted the broad military cooperation between the two countries, which includes “joint training and deployment operations,” and reciprocal equipment procurement, noting that France had purchased two maritime surveillance aircraft from the Swedish company Saab for one billion euros, as well as shared capabilities.
Ulf Kristersson focused on air defense capabilities, particularly regarding the interception of ballistic missile threats, which these ships will provide.
He noted that “frigates are evolving into mobile platforms that provide Sweden with long-range air defense capabilities at sea and protection against ballistic missiles,” pointing to the challenge Ukraine faces in this regard against Russian strikes.
He added, “Everyone now recognizes that we in Europe must assume greater responsibility for our security, as the European pillar of NATO grows stronger.”
