Macron on site – signs record contract

 

Niclas Vent

 

Published11.35

  

The French president will come to Sweden on Monday. Photo: Manon Cruz /AP

One of Sweden's largest defense deals ever will be signed today – and French President Emmanuel Macron will be in Stockholm for the ceremony.

The four new warships will cost SEK 47 billion.

There are also weapons on the table that reach further than anything else in our arsenal.

The frigate FDI from the French Naval group beat out a Spanish and a Swedish-British alternative, and was chosen by the government in May as Sweden's next warship.

The contracts will be signed today.

It will take place aboard the first ship, the FDI ship built at the shipyard in Lorient, the French Amiral Ronarc'h, which is currently moored at Guldbron in Stockholm.

Naval Group CEO Pierre-Eric Pommellet and FMV Director General Mikael Granholm are expected to sign the papers at 4:30 p.m., with President Macron and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson as witnesses.

SEK 47 billion is more than a full year's defense budget was just a few years ago, and when it comes to Swedish weapons, only the Jas 39 Gripen program has cost more.

Triples air defense capability

What Sweden is getting are modern air defense frigates, armed with the Aster 30 and CAMM-ER air defense missiles.

The Aster missiles can, among other things, shoot down ballistic missiles.

No Swedish ship has had that capacity before, and according to the government, the purchase means that Sweden's qualified air defense capability is tripling.

Perhaps another new record capability is lurking in the wings.

The FDI can be built with the ability to fire the Missile de Croisière Naval (MdCN), a cruise missile that can strike ground targets at very long distances, probably more than 1,000 kilometers – longer than most in any NATO country’s arsenal.

Naval has offered to build the MdCN into the Swedish frigates, but Sweden has not openly expressed any interest.

During the ceremony today, Minister of Defense Pål Jonson and French Minister of Defense Catherine Vautrin will also sign a framework agreement to strengthen Swedish-French cooperation in operational matters, defense capabilities and industrial development.

The first ship will be delivered to Sweden in 2030, and the others before 2034.

Facts

Why the government chose the FDI

The government highlights three reasons for choosing the French FDI (Frégate de Défence et d’Intervention):

1. Fast delivery. Sweden will receive the first ship in 2030, and then one more every year thereafter.
2. Complete and proven design. Many military development projects have both become more expensive and delivered later than originally planned. FDI already exists, and both France and Greece have ships in operation.
3. Air defense. The Aster 30 missiles have a long range and the entire system from radar, via combat control to missile is tested and verified. Among other things, they can shoot down ballistic missiles.