Naval Group and the Marine Technology Center of Sweden (MTC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Stockholm on Monday, October 12, to broaden French-Swedish research collaboration on naval defence and maritime technology.
The agreement addresses communications, autonomous systems, protection of critical infrastructure on the seabed and ships' digital architectures.
Naval Group said the partnership is intended to support Sweden's naval sovereignty, build long-term industrial cooperation and contribute to European defence capabilities.
Emmanuel Brochard, Director of International R&D Cooperations at Naval Group said that joint development, innovation and testing is set to take place in Sweden.
The research agreement follows the contract signed on August 31 between the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and Naval Group for four defence and intervention frigates (FDI).
The ships will be delivered in a Luleå-class configuration with air defence and anti-submarine capabilities, with the first due in 2030.
Naval Group began construction of the first Swedish frigate, Luleå, at its Lorient shipyard in France on October 1.