UK awards BAE contract for Navy frigates

LONDON: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says the United Kingdom will award a £4.2bil (Us$4.9bil or Rm22.5bil) contract to BAE Systems Plc for five more ships for the Royal Navy, in the face of increased Russian threats.

The contract adds five more Type 26 frigates to the three under construction. The ships will conduct anti-submarine missions while supporting air defense and other operations.

“Russia’s actions put all of us at risk,” Sunak said as he attended the Group of 20 industrialised nations in Bali, Indonesia.

“As we give the Ukrainian people the support they need, we are also harnessing the breadth and depth of UK expertise to protect ourselves and our allies.

“This includes building the next generation of British warships.”

Last week Russia tried and failed to test its pioneering torpedo, according to reports citing American intelligence officials. The Poseidon nuclear-powered torpedo was launched from the world’s largest submarine, the Belgorod, which went into service a few months ago.

Last Thursday, CNN reported the United States had observed the ship leaving the testing area in the Arctic Sea and returning to port without carrying out the trial.