JAKARTA - The UK will spend 4.2 billion pounds (Rp78,375,613,302,000) on five new frigate-type warships from defense giant BAE Systems, to increase security in the face of Russia's growing threat, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Tuesday.
"The UK and allies are taking steps to increase their security in the face of Russia's growing threat," PM Sunak said in a Downing Street statement.
"Russian action puts us all at risk. When we give the support the Ukrainian people need, we also take advantage of the UK's breadth and depth of expertise to protect ourselves and our allies. This includes building the next generation British warship," said PM Sunak.
The spending is the next phase in a program where three ships have been built, and the eight frigates are expected to be completed by the mid-2030s.
It is known, there are three frigates currently being built. The first is HMS Glasgow F88, HMS Cardiff F89, HMS Belfast F90.
In a separate statement, BAE Systems confirmed orders for five other Type 26 City Class frigates.
The British defense giant added that the order would maintain 4,000 jobs across the company and a wider supply chain.
"This contract secures critical British industry and allows us to build a long history of our shipbuilding, as we continue to deliver cutting-edge equipment to the Royal Navy until the next decade," said BAE chief executive Charles Woodburn.
Tuesday's announcement comes as Sunak condemned Russia's "barbar" invasion of Ukraine, in a key speech at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
BAE Systems meanwhile also stepped up its revenue guidelines, citing strong orders as a result of an "environment of increasing threat" following the Ukrainian conflict.
"BAE is a beneficiary of geopolitical tensions at this time," said analyst Olly Anibaba at research consultant Third Bridge.
"Our experts estimate the US and European defense budgets will continue to grow over the next 2-5 years. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is a warning to many European countries."
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