UK To Spend About $5 Billion To Counter Russia Threat

Britain will spend 4.2 billion pounds ($4.9 billion) on five new frigates from defence giant BAE Systems to bolster security "in the face of increased Russian threats," Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday.

Sunak said in a Downing Street statement; "The U.K. and allies are taking steps to bolster their security in the face of increased Russian threats.

"Russia's actions put all of us at risk. As we give the Ukrainian people the support they need, we are also harnessing the breadth and depth of U.K. expertise to protect ourselves and our allies.

"This includes building the next generation of British warships."

The spending is the next phase in a program under which three vessels are already under construction, and all eight frigates are expected to be completed by the mid-2030s.

In a separate statement, BAE Systems confirmed the order of five more City Class Type 26 frigates.

Tuesday's announcement came as Sunak condemned Russia's "barbaric" invasion of Ukraine, in a key speech at the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.