Political Alliances Shape Defence Deals

The 48 billion kronor frigate deal between Sweden and France is about more than ships and money, according to Svenska Dagbladet commentator Tomas Augustsson. It also demonstrates how political alliances influence major defence purchases.

French President Emmanuel Macron brought a senior delegation to Stockholm, where he met King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria. Alongside Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, he witnessed the signing of the contract for four new frigates from the French defence company Naval. Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson and his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, also signed an agreement to expand cooperation in defence and industry.

The two governments described the deal and Macron’s visit as “another step in deepening the strategic partnership between Sweden and France.” Sweden’s armed forces and its cross-party Defence Commission had already argued that new vessels were needed, and possibly that more than four were required.

The choice of French ships followed both practical and political considerations. They could be delivered quickly, while France has become more engaged in the defence of northern Europe. Macron has also opened discussions with Sweden and Denmark about France’s nuclear deterrent. A further question concerns whether the countries could cooperate on developing a new fighter aircraft.

That issue has grown more urgent for France after a planned partnership with Germany collapsed, the commentary says. Augustsson points to other cases in which diplomatic relations affected arms sales, including Brazil’s decision to buy Sweden’s Gripen aircraft after revelations that the United States had monitored then-President Dilma Rousseff. He also suggests Canada could face a similar political choice after Donald Trump’s tariff dispute with the country, although the provided text ends before detailing that comparison.

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another step in deepening the strategic partnership between Sweden and France