Ulf Kristersson and Emmanuel Macron sign €4.3 billion agreement for four French frigates
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a contract for four FDI frigates manufactured by France's Naval Group. The agreement, valued at €4.3 billion, establishes a delivery schedule with the first frigate arriving in 2030. The ships are designed to detect and neutralize surface, airborne, underwater, asymmetric, and cyber threats. During the signing ceremony, Kristersson highlighted the inclusion of air defense capabilities, specifically the Aster 30 missile. Macron suggested that the frigates could eventually be equipped with naval cruise missiles to provide long-range strike capabilities for allies. Additionally, the two nations signed a framework agreement to enhance cooperation in operational, capability, and industrial areas. This partnership includes a commitment from France to contribute ground forces to a Swedish-led NATO mission in Finland. The deal represents a significant defense investment for Sweden, following its 2024 accession to NATO and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Sources
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