Sweden’s Ministry of Defence has chosen French Naval Group to supply the Royal Swedish Navy with four defence and intervention (FDI) frigates under the Luleå-class programme.
The contract, reportedly valued at about $4bn, follows a competitive tender that also considered submissions from Navantia and Babcock.
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Navantia proposed the ALFA 4000 frigate, while Babcock offered an Arrowhead 120 variant as part of their respective bids.
Last month, Navantia indicated its ability to deliver two ALFA 4000 units by 2030 and two more by 2031.
With the announcement of Naval Group as the preferred supplier, both parties will move into exclusive contract negotiations to define the delivery framework.
Naval Group stated it is “fully mobilised” to deliver the frigates.
Naval Group chairman and CEO Pierre Éric Pommellet said: “The FDI will provide the Royal Swedish Navy with a latest-generation frigate and extended capabilities in all warfare domains with rapid delivery timeline, to meet the operational needs expressed by the Ministry of Defence.
“This selection also reinforces our strategic partnership with Sweden and shows the strength of industrial cooperation in Europe.”
The FDI frigate has a displacement of 4,500 tonnes, with a length of 122 metres (m) and a width of 18m. It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 27 knots and can operate for a range of 45 days.
The vessel can accommodate a crew of 125, in addition to 28 passengers, according to Naval Group.
It is already in service with the French and Hellenic navies and has demonstrated operational capability across multiple warfare domains, including anti-air operations using Aster-based technology.
Naval Group’s existing production line has already delivered two units to these navies, offering Sweden a mature platform to meet the required timeline for boosting maritime defence resources.
Once operational, the FDI frigates are set to enhance Sweden’s participation in inter-allied and NATO naval missions.
The new vessels aim to strengthen Sweden’s maritime defence and support its commitments within European security frameworks.
Naval Group also expressed intent to broaden its collaboration with Swedish defence stakeholders through a structured industrial partnership and long-term research and development cooperation.
The company outlined plans to work closely with Swedish partners throughout the implementation of this programme.
