Ambassador Identifies Sweden as Key Partner

The French frigate Amiral Ronarc’h recently visited Gothenburg (western Sweden) during its first international port visit. Onboard, Nordic Defence Sector met with France's ambassador to Sweden, Thierry Carlier, who highlighted the deepening Swedish-French cooperation and pointed to Sweden's increased defence investments as crucial for Europe's strategic independence.

In recent days, a winter-cold Gothenburg has hosted a prominent guest as the French frigate Amiral Ronarc’h docked in the city for a port visit. The vessel is the first in its class of the new Defence and Intervention Frigates (FDI) now being built for the French Navy, but far from the last. France has ordered five ships of the class, while Greece has placed an order for four.

Between 2 and 5 February, Amiral Ronarc’h was moored in Gothenburg, after which she embarked on a longer voyage to ensure that all systems function as they should before the official commissioning. Nordic Defence Sector was on-site for a visit onboard, and the concept of "new car smell" is quite applicable—both literally and figuratively—on the newly built ship.

After a tour onboard, both visitors and crew were also visited by France's ambassador to Sweden, Thierry Carlier. In an interview on the frigate's command bridge, Carlier spoke about the Swedish-French cooperation and his view on Europe's strategic independence.

– I believe the time has truly come for Europe to take its destiny into its own hands. Sweden is a very good example of this through the significantly increased defence appropriations, says Thierry Carlier.

Sweden and France have had an established strategic partnership since 2017. The cooperation began with a focus on green and sustainable transition, including joint efforts on smart transport and sustainable cities. In 2019, the partnership was renewed with an increased focus on innovation and digitalisation, with the space sector being one of several examples. In 2024, the next step was taken, as the cooperation also came to encompass defence and security. Ambassador Carlier views the development positively.

– All parts of the partnership are closely interconnected and rest, among other things, on the strong cultural and historical ties that unite our countries. We also share the same fundamental values, and in the world we live in today, France and Sweden need to stand side by side to defend them and contribute to a stronger Europe, says Carlier.

How do you see the cooperation has developed over the past year?

– The examples I have mentioned clearly show that the strategic partnership between our countries has developed and deepened at a very high pace. At the same time, there are significant opportunities ahead. Total defence is an area where I see a clear potential for even closer cooperation between our two countries.

Ambassador Carlier has repeatedly emphasised the importance of European independence over the past year and that Europe itself must take responsibility for, and lead the development towards, increased strategic independence. He now particularly points out Sweden as a role model.

– Sweden is set to reach 3.5 percent of GDP in defence spending, and this clear focus creates a unique opportunity to build and strengthen the European pillar within NATO. 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, says Carlier and continues:

– This is done without in any way setting ourselves in opposition to the USA, which is and remains a very strong ally within NATO. We should be fully interoperable and follow the same standards, but at the same time develop independent European solutions.

What should Nordic actors keep in mind when investing in France?

– If we look at the business sector as a whole, and not just the defence industry, the industrial cooperation between our countries has grown significantly over the past decade. Sweden is today the eleventh largest foreign investor in France, with over 11 billion euros invested, and the ninth largest employer with more than 100,000 employees. When it comes to the defence industry, collaborations should be based on common operational needs, where GlobalEye is a good example.

And what is important for French actors to keep in mind when investing in Sweden?

– Sweden is one of Europe's most innovative countries and offers very large opportunities in innovation. There is an extremely dynamic and creative business environment here, which makes the country very attractive for French investments as well, says Thierry Carlier in conclusion.