Sweden to buy four frigates from France's Naval Group: PM

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STOCKHOLM: Sweden will purchase four new warships from France's Naval Group in a major international defense-industrial deal, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on Tuesday.

The decision follows an exhaustive military analysis evaluating global options that could fully meet specific Swedish requirements. Stockholm selected the French shipbuilder over competing bids submitted by the United Kingdom’s Babcock partnered with Sweden's Saab and Spain’s Navantia.

Kristersson highlighted that this massive acquisition stands as one of Sweden's most significant military investments since the introduction of the Gripen fighter jet back in the 1980s.

A primary factor driving the selection of Naval Group was its ability to promise a rapid delivery timeframe. The state-of-the-art vessels come equipped with proven, robust air defense capabilities, which Kristersson emphasized will successfully triple Sweden’s current air defense capacity.

The government expects vessel deliveries to commence as early as 2030, with individual ships projected to cost just over 10 billion kronor ($1.1 billion) depending on final armaments.