UPDATE 1-Sweden plans to buy navy frigates from France

​Sweden said on ‌Tuesday ​it had chosen France's Naval Group to supply four new ‌frigates for its navy, with the first delivery expected in 2030in what will be the Nordic country's biggest ‌military investment in decades.

The government has requested ‌that several weapons systems developed in Sweden, including by Saab, can be utilised by the vessels, Defence Minister Pal ⁠Jonson ​told a press ⁠conference. Sweden is racing to build up its military in ⁠the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ​Nordic country's subsequent accession to NATO, with the new ⁠frigates representing a significant expansion of maritime defence capabilities.

The ⁠right-wing ​government, one of Ukraine's staunchest backers in Europe, has said it expects to reach ⁠NATO targets for military spending of 3.5% of GDP already ⁠in ⁠2030, several years ahead of the alliance's deadline.