The Swedish government has decided that Sweden will buy four frigates from France. The ships will be delivered from 2030 and are part of the Navy’s changed tasks since Sweden joined NATO.
On Tuesday 19 May, the government decided to give the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration the task of starting negotiations with France to order four new frigates. The frigates will be delivered from 2030 and will be of the FDI class of ships, which stands for Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention.
Larger ships needed
It was in the Defence Decision in 2020 that the government decided that Sweden would be strengthened with new surface combat ships. At first, there was talk of a similar solution to the Visby class, but in size larger to accommodate more qualified weapons and sensors. Then there was a war in Ukraine and Sweden joined NATO, which changed the conditions.
“As allies, we must think more broadly, we are moving from contesting the control of others to establishing maritime control ourselves and together with others and dominating the area to create the security and stability that will result,” says Commander-in-Chief Michael Claesson.
Air defense capabilities
The Supreme Commander also emphasizes the importance of ships as mobile platforms for air defense with the task of securing flows at sea. These flows are of great importance to keep ourselves and our neighbors in Finland and the Baltic States supplied with civilian and military logistics and supplies.
“These are not just ships for the marine domain. This is a very complex system that, integrated with other domains, stands for highly qualified air defense and that triples the Swedish qualified air defense capability. For the Armed Forces, this is a major increase in capabilities. Now it continues to be delivered on defense decision 24,” says the Supreme Commander.
New role for the Navy
The Supreme Commander continues by explaining that the recent conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and Iran have clearly shown the need for a qualified air defense in which frigates will be an important part.
“With NATO membership, the role of the navy has changed. In addition to asserting Swedish territorial integrity, we must now also secure and protect transports across the sea, to us and to our allies. We will also contribute to the Alliance’s needs outside our immediate vicinity, which requires larger ships with qualified air defense and longer endurance,” says Navy Chief Johan Norlén
The frigates have the option of an on-board helicopter for submarine hunting, among other things. On board there is room for a larger crew than today’s ships, which also provides longer endurance.
“The Luleå-class frigates are the workplace of the future for the navy’s sailors and officers. I know how much they, like me, are looking forward to welcoming HMS Luleå, HMS Norrköping, HMS Halmstad and HMS Trelleborg to the Navy.