Saab has secured a 2-billion-Swedish-krona ($202 million) contract from French shipbuilder Naval Group to supply and integrate weapons, weapon-control systems and sensors for four FDI frigates being built for the Swedish Navy. The agreement will run from 2027 to 2034 and includes RBS 15 anti-ship missiles, Saab Lightweight Torpedoes, Trackfire remote weapon stations and Sea Giraffe 1X lightweight multi-mission surveillance radars. The package also covers an unspecified weapon-control system, the Ceros fire-control director and the EOS 500 electro-optical sensor. Sweden has signed a separate contract worth approximately 47 billion Swedish kronor ($4.8 billion) with Naval Group for four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention frigates, which will form the future Luleå class. The vessels are intended to strengthen Sweden’s maritime and air-defence capabilities in the Baltic Sea following the country’s accession to NATO in 2024. Each frigate will measure 122 metres long and 18 metres wide and accommodate more than 125 sailors. They will also be capable of operating a rotary-wing aircraft, such as the NH90, and an unmanned aerial system. Beyond Saab’s equipment, the ships will feature Naval Group’s Setis combat management system, digital communications and navigation systems, and electronic warfare capabilities. Their weapons will include surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, lightweight torpedoes, and 57mm and 40mm naval guns. Propulsion will be provided by two MTU 16V 8000 M91L engines generating a combined 43,000 horsepower, enabling speeds above 26 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles. The frigates will also be capable of remaining deployed for up to 45 days.
