industry

Sweden chooses Naval Group

Sweden has selected French Naval Group as the supplier of four new frigates of the Luleå class, based on the FDI concept and with planned first delivery in 2030. The announcement was presented by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Defence Minister Pål Jonson and marks a deepened Swedish-French defence cooperation.

Sweden chooses Naval Group

The Swedish government has selected (in a so-called down select process) French company Naval Group as the supplier of the Swedish Armed Forces' new frigates within the Luleå class. The announcement was presented at a press conference aboard a Visby-class corvette at Skeppsbron in Stockholm (capital, Sweden) by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister of Defence Pål Jonson, together with Supreme Commander Michael Claesson.

Minister of Defence Pål Jonson stated at the press conference that the reasons for selecting the French bid include the possibility of rapid delivery and technical maturity, cost-sharing with France and Greece, and the fact that the design already incorporates a proven air defence system.

The Minister of Defence further explained that the vessels will be equipped with the ASTER 30 air defence system, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, and the medium-range air defence system CAMM-ER (a variant of those being installed on Sweden's Visby-class corvettes), which can provide protection against cruise missiles and combat aircraft.

Pål Jonson also stated that the government intends for the frigates to be equipped with systems from the Swedish defence industry, including Saab's RBS15 anti-ship missile, Torpedo 47, G1X radar, and Trackfire weapon stations, as well as a 57mm general-purpose gun and a 40mm general-purpose cannon from BAE Systems Bofors.

The selection means that the Swedish Navy will receive four frigates based on Naval Group's FDI (Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention) concept. The vessels displace approximately 4,000 tonnes and are designed for air defence and anti-submarine warfare.

According to details surrounding the French bid, Naval Group has offered a delivery schedule in which the first fully equipped frigate could be delivered to Sweden in 2030.

The background to the French offer was highlighted earlier this year when Nordic Defence Sector (NDS) visited the French frigate Amiral Ronarc'h in Gothenburg (western Sweden) and interviewed France's Ambassador to Sweden, Thierry Carlier. The Ambassador described Sweden at the time as a central partner for Europe's future defence cooperation.

"Now is the time to seriously develop autonomous, European defence industry solutions together between Sweden and France. We have both the expertise and the industrial assets to do so," said Thierry Carlier in the interview with NDS.

The FDI class is already in service with the French Navy and has also been ordered by Greece. The vessels are designed for a high degree of digitalisation and advanced air defence and anti-submarine warfare capability.

"I thank Sweden and see this as an expression of the trust that exists between our two countries," wrote French President Emmanuel Macron on X.

"Following France's decision to acquire Saab's GlobalEye to replace our airborne early warning aircraft, this is a strategically important decision that demonstrates the mutual trust between France and Sweden," Macron continued.


The article is being updated

FAQ

Vad är FDI-konceptet som ligger till grund för Sveriges nya Luleå-klassens fregatter?
FDI står för Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention och är Naval Groups fregattkoncept. Fartygen är omkring 4 000 ton och utvecklade för luftförsvar och ubåtsjakt med hög grad av digitalisering. FDI-klassen används redan av den franska marinen och har även beställts av Grekland. Senast faktagranskad: 2026-05-19.
När ska den första fregatten inom Luleå-klassen levereras till Sverige?
Enligt Naval Groups anbud ska den första fullt utrustade fregatten kunna levereras till Sverige under 2030. Sverige beställer totalt fyra fregatter baserade på FDI-konceptet inom ramen för Luleå-klassen. Leveransplanen ingick som en del av det franska erbjudandet till Försvarsmakten. Senast faktagranskad: 2026-05-19.
Vilka svenska regeringsföreträdare presenterade beslutet om Naval Group som fregattleverantör?
Beskedet presenterades av statsminister Ulf Kristersson och försvarsminister Pål Jonson, tillsammans med överbefälhavare Michael Claesson. Pressträffen hölls ombord på en Visbykorvett vid Skeppsbron i Stockholm. Det är en av de mest betydande marinupphandlingarna i modern svensk försvarshistoria. Senast faktagranskad: 2026-05-19.