Sweden signed firm contract for ordering 4 new French FDI-project frigates for 47 billion Swedish crowns, approximately corresponding to €4.23 billion. Also package includes training, spare parts and other necessary equipment.
According to Swedish Defense Procurement Agency (FMV) announcement, this involves 4 ships: HMS Luleå, HMS Norrköping, HMS Trelleborg and HMS Halmstad. Their deliveries are planned for 2030, 2032, 2033 and 2034.
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Main tasks for new frigates, which will receive Swedish Luleå-class designation, will be air defense and anti-submarine warfare. Construction will proceed in France, with frigate hull arriving to Sweden already built.
Also confirmed is ship configuration, which will use including Swedish systems. These details were known back in June 2026, when Swedes chose FDI project as their fleet's new frigates, although interesting clarification appeared that improved Aster 30 B1NT surface-to-air missiles will be included, which should effectively combat ballistics. Also mentioned is possible use of French MdCN cruise missiles from them, which Sweden supposedly wants to order.
Defense Express notes that thus by rough calculation one FDI-project frigate in Luleå-class configuration cost approximately €1.06 billion. This is somewhat more expensive than what Greece paid in 2022 and 2025.
However worth remembering Swedes have different configuration providing for using Swedish systems and weapons, so slightly higher price has its explanation. Also should not forget about related services, inflation and so on.
At same time, this gives good opportunity to see how much modern frigate with broad capabilities costs. FDI provides for 16 to 32 Sylvia family vertical launch cells for Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles and launchers for 8 anti-ship missiles. All this at 122 m length and 4,460 ton displacement, 125-person crew and capability to spend up to 45 days at sea.
Overall quite decent arsenal with modern detection and engagement assets for countering russian missiles, aircraft and submarines results. Overall in Swedish Navy, Luleå class should replace Visby-class corvettes, which have insufficient air defense capabilities.
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