Sweden to buy four new frigates from France in major defence deal

"“Based on that analysis, the government has now decided that Sweden will purchase four new frigates in a very large international defence-industrial deal,” Kristersson told a press conference, adding that France's Naval Group had been selected to supply the frigates. “This is one of the largest Swedish defence investments since the Gripen fighter jet was introduced in the 1980s,” Kristersson said."

"The Nordic country had also evaluated offers from the UK's Babcock together with Sweden's own Saab and Spain's Navantia. France had said it could deliver a “fully equipped” frigate as early as 2030. Naval Group was chosen in particular for its ability to make a “quick delivery”, Defence Minister Pal Jonson said, adding that it was also a “proven system” with air defence capabilities."

"“It is a tripling of Sweden's air defence capability compared with today,” Kristersson stressed. The government said it expected that deliveries of the vessels would begin in 2030. It did not give an estimated cost for the deal and said the “final price” would be dependent on what armaments and equipment would be included. When asked for a ball-park figure, Jonson said the average price was expected at “just over 10 billion kronor ($1.1 billion) each”."

Sweden’s government decided to purchase four new frigates from France’s Naval Group in a large international defence-industrial deal. The government evaluated international alternatives that could meet Swedish military requirements and selected Naval Group after considering other offers from the UK’s Babcock with Saab, and Spain’s Navantia. Naval Group was chosen for quick delivery and for providing a proven system with air defence capabilities. The government expects deliveries to begin in 2030 and said the final price depends on included armaments and equipment. Defence Minister Pal Jonson estimated an average price of just over 10 billion kronor per frigate. The deal is expected to triple Sweden’s air defence capability compared with today.

Read at www.thelocal.se