Emmanuel Macron will visit Sweden on Monday to sign a €4.3 billion contract for Stockholm's acquisition of four French frigates – a trip that will also provide the French president with an opportunity to discuss broader concerns about European security and NATO cooperation with Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Issued on: 31/08/2026 - 08:02
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Sweden announced the purchase of four Defence and Intervention Frigates (FDI) from the French company Naval Group in May with the first vessel due for delivery in 2030 – part of the country's rearmament effort following its accession to NATO in 2024. Kristersson said the deal represents "one of the most significant Swedish defence investments since the introduction of the Gripen fighter jet in the 1980s". For Naval Group, the contract represents a success following several setbacks. In recent years, Norway opted for British frigates, Canada declined the group's offer for 12 submarines and Poland chose Sweden's Saab for its new submarines. Modern frigates typically provide anti-submarine warfare, air defence and maritime surveillance capabilities. New frigates would increase Sweden's ability to protect the Baltic Sea region. Drone incident near French carrier in Sweden points to possible Russian link For the French presidency, Monday's visit "will mark a new step in deepening the strategic partnership between France and Sweden and the security and defence cooperation between our two countries, which will contribute to strengthening both European defence and the Atlantic Alliance," the Elysée said in a statement. Swedish Minister for Defence Pal Jonson and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin will sign a framework agreement to strengthen Swedish-French cooperation on defence capabilities and industrial development, the French presidency added. Closer ties The two countries have developed closer defence industry ties in recent years. In December, Paris placed an order for two GlobalEye surveillance aircraft – produced by the Swedish giant Saab – worth more than €1 billion. Sweden also expressed interest in the advanced nuclear deterrence offer put forward by Macron in March, when he outlined the concept of "advanced deterrence," involving eight European countries. On 23 April, the two countries convened their first nuclear steering group in Paris, co-chaired by the Élysée and the Swedish prime minister's office. What could Macron's French nuclear umbrella mean for Europe? Macron's last official visit to Sweden was in January 2024, during which he called for Europe to step up its support of Ukraine in its war against Russia. In March 2024, Sweden took part in major NATO drills, spanning the northern regions of Sweden, Norway and Finland, alongside France and 11 other nations. In addition to his government meetings on Monday, Macron is scheduled to be received by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. (with newswires)
