Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 24, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleSweden will choose a supplier for four new frigates early next year, enhancing its navy amid regional tensions. Potential suppliers include France's Naval Group.
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden will choose a supplier for its multi-billion Swedish crown acquisition of four new frigates early next year, the defence minister said on Monday.
Sweden is in an intense buildup of its forces in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is looking to increase its navy fleet with bigger ships.
"I think and I hope that we can make a decision by early next year in regards to our new frigates program," Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a news conference with the French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin.
Sweden wants the first two frigates delivered by 2030 and has therefore decided to look at existing designs, including an alternative from French maker Naval Group.
"France could meet the Swedish request," Vautrin said. "We could deliver a frigate in 2030, an entirely equipped one including defensive measures and of course, we propose a partnership with Swedish industry, in particular Saab," she said.
Other alternatives include frigates from Spain's Navantia and Britain's Babcock, in collaboration with Sweden's Saab.
The new frigates, called Lulea-class, would be the biggest surface warships in Sweden's navy and have an expected lifespan of 40 years.
(Reporting by Johan Ahlander; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Frigates are warships that are typically smaller than destroyers and are used for escorting larger vessels, anti-submarine warfare, and patrolling. They are equipped with various weapons and technology.
The defense industry encompasses companies and organizations that produce goods and services for military purposes. This includes weapons, vehicles, and technology used by armed forces.
Defensive measures refer to actions taken to protect military forces and assets from enemy attacks. This can include physical barriers, technology, and strategic planning.
A naval fleet is a group of ships and submarines organized for military operations. It is typically commanded by a naval officer and can include various types of vessels.
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