Billion-kronor purchase may arrive without weapons: "Surprised"
PARIS. There is a risk that Sweden’s new multi-billion-kronor frigates will be delivered without their most important weapons.
No order for the missiles has been placed.
"When you place a new order, it takes much longer," says Stefano Bertuzzi of MBDA.
The Aster air-defense missile from MBDA is the only European-made weapon capable of taking out ballistic missiles.
It is the weapon Sweden wants for the Luleå-class frigates, which are scheduled for delivery starting in 2030.
"When I came to Sweden, I was surprised. They wanted the Aster B1NT, and only the B1NT. They had made up their minds about what the threat was," says Stefano Bertuzzi, Head of Naval Systems at MBDA.
Production not yet started
Aftonbladet meets him at the headquarters of the French-British-Italian company in Le Plessis-Robinson, outside Paris.
The B1NT is the latest version of the Aster—so new that production has not even begun yet.
"We will deliver the first mass-produced missiles at the end of next year. We will, of course, expand production, but it will take a number of years to ramp up to a stable level," says Stefano Bertuzzi.
"When your Minister of Defence was here last March, I explained that *now* is the time to book for 2030 deliveries. It takes time, especially if you want the B1NT." MBDA has manufactured a total of 2,000 Aster missiles over the past 24 years, according to the company’s own figures—and already has orders booked for another 2,000 missiles that have yet to be delivered.
"First contract served first"
However, this does not mean that Sweden has to wait 24 years for deliveries.
Two things are unclear:
1. How many of the missiles in the queue are actually the B1NT variant (one press release mentions 400).
2. What production rate MBDA will maintain over the coming years. The company will only state that total missile production doubled between 2023 and 2025, and that it anticipates a 40 percent increase this year compared to last year.
A limiting factor for the B1NT is its brand-new seeker. Any increase in production depends on how many of these units the French manufacturer Thales can supply.
It is clear, however, that Sweden cannot expect to jump the queue.
"The first contract is served first. The French and Italians were the first to buy the Aster B1NT, so they are the ones receiving deliveries first. That is standard practice."
Stefano Bertuzzi, MBDA. Photo: ADU
"Ongoing dialogue"
No one at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) is willing to give an interview.
"Preparations for procurement and dialogue with MBDA are underway to ensure the frigates have the necessary air-defense missile ammunition when the ships are delivered," writes Press Officer Peter Åberg Linder in a comment.
"Swedes find it hard to make up their minds"
Stefano Bertuzzi expects to sign a contract with Sweden before the end of the year.
"But I don’t have a crystal ball. What I’ve learned about Swedes is that once they’ve made up their minds, they go for it—but they find it hard to make that decision."
If Sweden places an order before the end of the year, when will they receive deliveries?
"I can’t say, because then you’d report it. The ships are being delivered in 2030. So let’s
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