Sweden has entered into an approximately 47 billion Swedish kronor ($4.8 billion) agreement with France’s state-owned shipbuilder Naval Group to procure four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) frigates. The contract was completed aboard the French Navy’s first FDI frigate, Amiral Ronarc’h (D660), during a ceremony in Stockholm attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Once delivered and inducted into Swedish service, the four vessels will become the country’s planned Luleå-class surface combatants. The ships will be named Luleå, Norrköping, Trelleborg, and Halmstad, reflecting the names of Swedish coastal cities. France is expected to deliver the frigates on an annual basis between 2030 and 2034. The acquisition is intended to increase Sweden’s maritime defense capabilities and strengthen its ability to contribute to air defense operations in the Baltic Sea. The move comes after Sweden joined NATO in 2024 and as security concerns in the region remain elevated. During the signing ceremony, Kristersson pointed to the war in Ukraine as evidence of the growing requirement to defend against modern missile threats. Beyond the procurement itself, the agreement creates a wider framework for increased defense-industrial cooperation between France and Sweden. The four-ship package includes onboard anti-ballistic interceptors, cruise missiles, torpedoes, and associated training. The future Luleå-class frigates will measure 122 meters (400 feet) in length and have a beam of 18 meters (59 feet). Each vessel will accommodate more than 125 sailors and will be capable of operating a rotary-wing aircraft similar to the NH90 as well as an unmanned aerial system. Naval Group’s Setis battle management system will form part of the ships’ combat architecture. The frigates will also feature multiple sensors, an advanced digital communications network, navigation equipment, and electronic warfare systems. Their weapons suite will include surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, lightweight torpedoes, and 57mm and 40mm naval guns. The Luleå-class ships are expected to achieve speeds above 26 knots, equivalent to 48 kilometers (30 miles) per hour. They will have a range of 5,000 nautical miles, or approximately 9,260 kilometers (5,754 miles), and will be capable of remaining operational for up to 45 days continuously. Twin MTU 16V 8000 M91L engines will provide a combined output of 43,000 horsepower to support the ships’ propulsion requirements.
