Sweden to Arm Four New FDI Frigates With Saab Missiles to Counter Naval Threats in Baltic Sea.

Sweden is moving forward with preparations for its four future FDI frigates after Saab and French shipbuilder Naval Group signed a contract to supply and integrate several combat systems. The agreement covers anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, fire control equipment, and surveillance sensors intended to expand the Swedish Navy's ability to counter air, surface, and underwater threats.

Artist's impression of an FDI frigate selected for the Swedish Navy's future Luleå class, which will integrate Saab anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and surveillance systems. (Picture source: Naval Group/Saab)

Key Tactical Insights

• Swedish Frigate Contract: Saab secured a SEK 2 billion contract with France's Naval Group to equip four Swedish Navy FDI Luleå-class frigates with weapons and sensors.
• Weapons and Sensors: The agreement includes RBS15 anti-ship missiles, Saab Lightweight Torpedoes, Sea Giraffe 1X radars, Ceros fire control directors, and Trackfire remote weapon stations.
• Operational Capabilities: The future frigates are intended to support air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime security operations in the Baltic Sea and alongside NATO allies.

Valued at approximately SEK 2 billion, the contract covers deliveries between 2027 and 2034. The equipment will be integrated aboard four French-designed frigates acquired under Sweden's Luleå-class programme. Stockholm has chosen to retain several domestically developed weapon systems rather than rely exclusively on French equipment, combining Naval Group's ship architecture with Swedish defence technologies.

According to a statement released by Saab on November 6, 2026, the agreement includes a Weapon Control System, Ceros fire control directors, EOS 500 electro-optical systems, Sea Giraffe 1X surveillance radars, and Trackfire remote weapon stations. The contract also covers RBS15 anti-ship missiles and Saab Lightweight Torpedoes. The announcement follows the August 31 agreement between Sweden and Naval Group to acquire four FDI frigates, valued at about €4.3 billion, with the first vessel expected in 2030 and the remaining three scheduled for delivery by 2034.

Related News: France and Sweden Sign €4.3B Deal for 4 Naval Group Frigates to Boost Baltic Air Defense

Swedish Missiles and Sensors Integrated Into French Frigates

The Luleå-class frigates will be based on the French Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention (FDI), a warship displacing approximately 4,500 tonnes and designed for air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat. The Swedish configuration will integrate Saab equipment into the ship's wider combat system architecture. The programme also includes Bofors 57 mm and 40 mm naval guns, while the Trackfire remote weapon stations will provide close-range protection against fast-moving boats and certain asymmetric threats.

Among the selected sensors, the Sea Giraffe 1X is a three-dimensional active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operating in the X-band. It provides 360-degree coverage, with an instrumented range of 100 kilometres and the ability to track up to 600 air and surface targets. Its rotation speed of 60 revolutions per minute enables frequent updates of the tactical picture, particularly when monitoring drones and low-flying missiles. The radar also incorporates dedicated drone detection and tracking functions, which are relevant in maritime environments where small targets can be difficult to distinguish from sea clutter.

Fire control will rely partly on Saab's Ceros directors, which combine tracking radar, electro-optical sensors, and laser rangefinding to acquire and track targets accurately. The EOS 500 system complements these capabilities through infrared and video sensors, allowing crews to identify contacts without relying exclusively on radar emissions. Together, these systems can support engagements against aircraft, missiles, and surface vessels while reducing the time between threat detection and weapon employment.

For anti-surface warfare, the RBS15 will remain one of the Swedish Navy's principal offensive weapons. Its latest version, the RBS15 Mk4 Gungnir, has a range exceeding 300 kilometres and uses an active radar seeker to engage surface targets. Its low-altitude flight profile is intended to reduce the reaction time available to opposing defences. However, Saab has not specified which RBS15 variant will equip the new frigates, meaning their precise anti-ship engagement range remains unconfirmed.

Anti-submarine warfare capabilities will include Saab Lightweight Torpedoes, developed for engagements in coastal waters and the open sea. With a calibre of 400 mm and a weight of approximately 340 kilograms, the Saab Lightweight Torpedo can reach speeds exceeding 40 knots and has a stated range of more than 20 kilometres. Its active and passive acoustic guidance system can operate autonomously or through a wire-guided connection that allows trajectory corrections. This flexibility is particularly relevant in the Baltic Sea, where variations in salinity, shallow waters, and complex acoustic conditions can complicate submarine tracking.

Frigates Intended to Protect Maritime Routes and Allied Forces in the Baltic Sea

The Swedish Navy currently maintains a regular presence in the Baltic Sea with its Visby-class corvettes, submarines, and mine warfare vessels. These units conduct maritime surveillance, intelligence collection, and sea lane protection missions. Sweden also contributes to NATO's Baltic Sentry operation, which seeks to strengthen the monitoring of critical underwater infrastructure, including telecommunications cables and energy connections. The future frigates could extend these missions by providing broader air defence coverage and the ability to engage hostile surface vessels beyond the capabilities currently available aboard Swedish corvettes.

The protection of Gotland is another central consideration. Located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, the island occupies a strategic position for monitoring maritime and air movements between Sweden, the Baltic states, and Poland. In September 2026, Swedish and German forces conducted a reinforcement operation involving Swedish corvettes, German frigates, and combat aircraft to secure the transport of troops and coastal missile systems to the port of Visby. In a comparable scenario, the Luleå-class frigates could provide air defence for a convoy, monitor maritime approaches, and help prevent opposing surface vessels from threatening allied reinforcements.

Cooperation with Finland also provides a practical framework for future deployments. In October 2026, the Swedish corvette HMS Helsingborg patrolled the Gulf of Finland under Finnish command, illustrating the growing integration of the two navies within NATO. More recently, the corvette HMS Karlstad exercised in the Gulf of Bothnia alongside the American destroyer USS Paul Ignatius and the Finnish minelayer Hämeenmaa, including training in air defence and surface warfare. The future frigates could take part in similar operations with additional force protection and engagement coordination capabilities. They could also allow Stockholm to escort allied reinforcements crossing the Baltic Sea or contribute to the defence of naval groups operating in the North Sea and North Atlantic.

Franco-Swedish Naval Cooperation Addresses NATO's Northern Defence Requirements

The acquisition of the FDI frigates reflects an evolution in the Swedish Navy's role, historically centred on coastal defence and operations in the confined waters of the Baltic Sea. Stockholm is now seeking vessels capable of protecting allied forces and contributing to NATO's integrated air and missile defence. This direction also reflects the need to secure connections between Scandinavia and the Baltic states amid continuing tensions with Russia. From an industrial standpoint, integrating Saab systems into a platform designed by Naval Group allows Sweden to retain domestic control over several combat technologies while expanding defence cooperation with France. Once operational, the four frigates could contribute to protecting critical infrastructure, allied reinforcement movements, and multinational naval operations, giving Sweden a broader role in the defence of NATO's northern flank.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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