The French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" has docked in the port of Malmö in its first-ever visit to Sweden. The event has a dual character: military and economic. France's flagship vessel is participating in the long-term "La Fayette 26" mission in northern waters. Simultaneously, the visit is part of an intensive lobbying campaign ahead of Stockholm's upcoming decision on a multi-billion dollar frigate tender. The French shipbuilding conglomerate Naval Group is competing for the contract against British BAE Systems and American Lockheed Martin.
First visit to Sweden
The aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" has docked in the Swedish port of Malmö for the first time. This historic event in bilateral relations underscores the growing importance of military cooperation on Europe's northern flanks.
Lobbying operation
The visit is part of a tactic described by French media as a "seduction operation." It aims to persuade Sweden to choose the French offer in the tender for four new frigates, worth approximately $5 billion.
Long-term La Fayette mission
The aircraft carrier and its strike group departed Toulon on January 27th as part of the "La Fayette 26" mission. After the "Orion 26" exercises in the Mediterranean Sea, it headed north to strengthen cooperation with allies in the Arctic and Baltic regions.
Three-way competition
Three defense giants are competing for the Swedish contract for "Luleå"-class frigates: French Naval Group, British BAE Systems, and American Lockheed Martin. Stockholm's decision is expected imminently.
The French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" has made a historic entry into the Swedish port of Malmö, as part of an operation with dual military-economic character. On one hand, the visit constitutes a key element of the long-term naval mission "La Fayette 26," aimed at strengthening cooperation with allies in the Baltic Sea and Arctic regions. On the other hand, media outlets explicitly describe the flagship's arrival as a "seduction operation" („pour draguer Stockholm” (BFMTV) — French media use the seduction metaphor directly), intended to influence Sweden's decision in a multi-billion dollar defense tender. Following Sweden's accession to NATO in 2024, the country has been intensively modernizing its armed forces to align with Alliance standards. The purchase of new frigates is part of this comprehensive reform, aimed at strengthening coastal defense and power projection capabilities in the Baltic Sea. As Bloomberg indicates, Stockholm's decision regarding the contract for four "Luleå"-class frigates, valued at approximately $5 billion, is expected soon. The competition is between three giants: French Naval Group, British BAE Systems, and American Lockheed Martin. The visit of the "Charles de Gaulle" accompanied by several escort vessels, likely including frigates, thus serves as a tangible demonstration of French technological capabilities and strategic commitment. France emphasizes that, as the only one of the three bidders, it can offer Sweden full cooperation in the field of nuclear technology, which is significant for potential future projects. The "La Fayette 26" mission began on January 27th with its departure from the base in Toulon. After participating in the "Orion 26" exercises in the Mediterranean Sea, the strike group headed north. As reported by the German Focus, its route leads through the Arctic region and the Baltic Sea, where a series of maneuvers with allies are planned. In this context, the visit to Malmö fits the logic of strengthening interoperability and showing the flag in a strategically sensitive region. Ultimately, the presence of France's most powerful vessel off Sweden's coast is a high-level political gesture, combining national security objectives with immediate economic interests.