Sweden signs French warship order to boost its defence

STOCKHOLM, Aug 31 (Reuters) - ‌Sweden signed ​an ​order for four Naval Group frigates during a ceremony in Stockholm on Monday ‌attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and ⁠Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Sweden, NATO's newest member, is ‌racing to build up ‌its military strength after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted the country to abandon ​its long-held policy of neutrality.

European governments more generally have increased defence spending in response to ⁠pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump and increased doubt they can ​rely on U.S. support.

"France and Sweden in the European Union and in NATO ​show that European sovereignty is ‌being built together," Macron said.

He said Sweden's order "strengthens the industrial and technological ⁠basis of European defence at a time when Europeans must take greater responsibility for their own security ⁠and consolidate NATO's European pillar."

In May, Sweden said it would ​order the vessels from the French company in a $4 billion deal that will triple its air defence capacity.

The ‌first of the four new frigates, which will be the Swedish navy's ‌biggest ships, is expected to be delivered in ⁠2030.

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, ‌additional reporting by ​Michel Rose and Dominique Vidalon in Paris, editing by Terje Solsvik and Barbara ‌Lewis)

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