The contract between the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Naval Group was signed at a ceremony attended by Emmanuel Macron and Ulf Kristersson. Catherine Vautrin, Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans, and her Swedish counterpart Pål Jonson also signed a framework agreement to strengthen operational, capability and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

The acquisition has strategic as well as industrial significance: the four future Luleå-class frigates will triple Sweden’s air defence capabilities and make a major contribution to NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD). With Russia rearming and NATO strengthening its northern flank, the new high-end warships will provide Sweden with advanced sea-based air defence.

As Ulf Kristersson noted, this is one of Sweden’s most significant defence investments since the Gripen fighter aircraft in the 1980s. Delivery of the first frigate is scheduled for 2030, with the remaining three to follow by 2034.

A Frigate Designed for High-Intensity Conflict

The FDI brings air defence (AD), anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities together on a compact 4,500-tonne platform. Designed for operations in contested environments, it can counter a broad spectrum of threats and engage in high-intensity naval combat.

Naval Group particularly emphasises the frigate’s ability to operate in the demanding conditions of the High North, the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic.

In its Luleå-class configuration, the FDI will strengthen the Swedish Navy’s capabilities for years to come, while contributing to the defence of Swedish territory and its maritime approaches and improving interoperability with allied navies.

Strengthening European Naval Interoperability

Sweden will become the third European country to operate the FDI, alongside France and Greece. Amiral Ronarc’h, the first of five FDIs ordered by France, was delivered to the French Navy in October 2025, with the remaining four due to join the fleet by 2032. Greece took delivery of HS Kimon, the first of four FDIs ordered by Athens, in December 2025, with two more to follow in 2026.

The four FDI-derived frigates planned for Sweden will bring the FDI family into service with three European navies. This commonality brings operational as well as industrial benefits: fielding frigates and systems from the same family will help strengthen interoperability and foster closer cooperation between allied navies.