French shipbuilder Naval Group has awarded Saab a 2-billion-Swedish-krona ($202 million) contract to supply and integrate weapon-control systems, weapons, and sensors for four FDI frigates being built for the Swedish Navy.
The contract runs from 2027 to 2034 and covers the RBS 15 anti-ship missile, Saab Lightweight Torpedo, Trackfire remote weapon station, and Sea Giraffe 1X lightweight multi-mission surveillance radar.
The package also includes an unspecified weapon control system, Ceros fire-control director, and EOS 500 electro-optical sensor.
Saab’s head of the Naval business area, Mats Wicksell, said the company is “proud to equip Swedish ships with our cutting-edge products,” adding that the program will give the Swedish Navy the ability “to detect, deter, and respond to threats above and below the surface.”
The Luleå-Class Frigate
Sweden has signed a contract worth approximately 47 billion Swedish kronor ($4.8 billion) with Naval Group to procure four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) frigates.
The vessels will form the Swedish Navy’s planned Luleå class, intended to strengthen the country’s maritime and air defense capabilities in the Baltic Sea following its accession to NATO in 2024.
Each frigate will measure 122 meters (400 feet) long and 18 meters (59 feet) wide, with accommodation for more than 125 sailors. They will also be capable of operating a rotary-wing aircraft, such as the NH90, and an unmanned aerial system.
In addition to Saab’s equipment, the ships will feature Naval Group’s Setis combat management system, digital communications and navigation systems, and electronic warfare capabilities.
Their armament will include surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, lightweight torpedoes, and 57mm and 40mm naval guns.
Powered by twin MTU 16V 8000 M91L engines producing a combined 43,000 horsepower, the frigates will reach speeds exceeding 26 knots (48 kilometers/30 miles per hour) and have a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 kilometers/5,754 miles).
They will also be capable of remaining deployed for up to 45 days.
