France and Sweden are getting closer. The frigates are just the beginning

France and Sweden have moved deeper in defence cooperation with a €4.3 billion implementation agreement signed on 31 August during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Stockholm. The deal covers delivery of four Luleå-class frigates to the Swedish Navy, built on the French Naval Group’s Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention (FDI) design. The first ship, HMS Luleå, is scheduled for delivery in 2030. Sweden will receive key equipment partly sourced from France and will also contribute systems such as artillery, anti-ship missiles and lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes. Both governments also signed a framework agreement aimed at extending military and industrial cooperation in areas including air and missile defence and potential future combat-aircraft work.