Frost Unmanned eyes Naval Group opportunities

Sweden’s selection of Naval Group’s FDI frigates on Tuesday is expected to benefit not only the country’s major defence contractors. 

It will also benefit smaller technology companies as they are seeking deeper access to the European defence market.

This procurement is a major opportunity for us

Joakim Wallin, CCO, Frost Unmanned

- As a small and medium-sized enterprise and high-tech start-up, this procurement is a major opportunity for us, says Joakim Wallin, chief commercial officer at Frost Unmanned.

Stand to gain

Small and medium-sized enterprises, SME's, stand to gain from the programme, estimated at SEK 40 billion, and from the broader expansion of defence industrial cooperation between Sweden and France.

Both France and Sweden maintain significant defence industrial bases. While France has traditionally pursued a high degree of industrial self-sufficiency, Sweden is increasingly aligning with broader European defence industrial cooperation.

The two countries have strengthened defence ties in recent years, including France’s procurement of Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft and Giraffe radar systems. 

Sweden’s selection of the French frigate design further deepens that relationship.

- This will help develop industrial cooperation. With strong political backing, it will become easier to do business with French SMEs. For us, navigating the wider European market also becomes easier, the CCO says.

Engaged with local companies

Based in Stora Höga, north of Gothenburg, Frost Unmanned develops unmanned aerial and surface systems, including a lightweight UAV platform and a low-cost multi-role unmanned surface vessel.

The company was among several Swedish firms that met Naval Group during a French industry delegation visit to Sweden in late April. According to LinkedIn posts published by participants, the delegation engaged with around 10 local companies from start-ups to shipyards.

The discussions focused on mapping industrial capabilities and exploring opportunities to integrate unmanned systems into Naval Group’s small and medium-sized surface platforms, Wallin explains.

- We are evaluating which sensors to integrate into our unmanned systems, and this should make cooperation with French companies - or acting as a subcontractor to primes such as Naval Group, Thales and MBDA - much easier, Wallin says.

Although no direct contract with Naval Group has emerged so far, Wallin described the discussions as constructive and said the company remains optimistic about future opportunities.

Early stages

Frost Unmanned is still in the early stages of its growth, employing around 15 people and preparing two core products for demonstrations and initial sales activity.

Wallin said the April meetings partly followed earlier Franco-Swedish industrial engagement linked to the GlobalEye programme. However, he expects the frigate programme to accelerate cooperation at SME level.

Europe is simply easier to work with

Joakim Wallin, CCO, Frost Unmanned

- It is important to recognise that Sweden is increasingly focusing on the European defence industrial base rather than relying as heavily on the transatlantic link, Joakim Wallin says.

- For SMEs like us, Europe is simply easier to work with. With political momentum behind this, it will create significant opportunities.