Latest News

Sweden buys navy frigates for more than $4 billion from France

The first delivery is expected to take place in 2030, at a cost of approximately 40 billion Swedish crowns (4.25 billion dollars).

Ulf Kristersson, the Prime Minister of Sweden, said at a press conference that the purchase of the French Defence and Intervention model (FDI) will be the biggest investment in Sweden's military since the 1980s.

Sweden is rushing to strengthen its military following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the Nordic nation's subsequent membership in NATO. The new frigates represent a significant increase of maritime defence capability.

Minister Pal Jonson, the Swedish Defence Minister, said that several weapons developed in Sweden?including those by Saab? could be used by these vessels.

Jonson stated that each vessel is expected to cost between 10 billion Swedish crowns depending on the exact weapon systems onboard, and the first delivery should take place by 2030.

The right-wing Ukrainian government, which is one of Ukraine's strongest supporters in Europe, said that it expected to achieve the NATO target of 3,5% of GDP for military expenditures in 2030. This was several years before the deadline set by NATO.

The government previously stated that the new frigates would be the largest surface warfare ships in Sweden's Navy and that they were expected to have a?lifespan? of around 40 years.

Naval beat out a joint bid from Britain's Babcock & Saab, as well a bid from Spain's Navantia.

The frigates play a crucial role in Sweden's air defense and protecting the Baltic Sea. Sweden also has five Visby-class Corvettes, and is upgrading its submarine fleet. $1 = 9.4037 Swedish Crowns (reporting and editing by Terje Solsvik, EssiLehto, and Niklas pollard).

(source: Reuters)