Sweden to buy four frigates from France for $4 billion to strengthen Baltic Sea security

Sweden plans to purchase four modern FDI-class frigates from the French Naval Group, worth approximately $4 billion. This will allow the country to triple its air defense capabilities amid threats in the Baltic Sea. This was reported by The Independent, according to UNN.

Details

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that the new ships will represent the country's largest military investment since the 1980s.

The Baltic Sea has never in modern history been as vulnerable, questioned, and as contested as it is now

According to him, the new decision should make the Baltic Sea "significantly safer in the future."

Sweden is expected to receive the first frigate in 2030. The total cost of the project will be approximately 40 billion Swedish kronor.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson noted that the ships will be able to use a range of Swedish-made weapon systems, particularly from the Saab company.

Each frigate will cost approximately 10 billion Swedish kronor, depending on the configuration and installed weapon systems.

The Swedish government also stated that it plans to reach the NATO defense spending target of 3.5% of GDP by 2030 — ahead of the deadline set by the Alliance.

The new frigates will become the largest surface combat ships in the Swedish fleet and are expected to serve for about 40 years.

Recall

On Tuesday, May 19, it became known that a NATO fighter jet shot down a drone over the Estonian lake Võrtsjärv. According to Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, the debris fell near the village of Kablaküla; there were no civilian casualties.