Bali, Nov. 15, (PA Media/dpa/GNA) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday announced the construction of five more British warships, but declined to commit to boosting defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP).
The prime minister is attending the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, which looks set to be dominated by the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As part of steps Britain is taking to strengthen its security in the face of increased threats from Moscow, Sunak announced that defence manufacturer BAE Systems has been awarded a £4.2 billion ($4.9 billion) contract to build five more Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy, on top of the three already under construction.
The prime minister said: “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 UK expertise to protect ourselves and our allies.
“This includes building the next generation of British warships.”
The expansion of the programme to build the frigates, designed for anti-submarine warfare, follows attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which have been blamed on the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, Sunak again declined to commit to a promise from his predecessor, Liz Truss, to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP, compared to the NATO minimum of 2.5%, as he and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt seek to balance the books.
He downplayed concerns by some in his ruling Conservative, or Tory, party that ditching the target could be seen as a weakness by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We’ve got not just a current but a historic track record of being strong investors in defence and prioritising NATO,” the prime minister told reporters travelling with him to Bali.
“I think people can feel completely assured that we’re investing in our defences.”
He continued: “In terms of what does weaken Putin, I mean what he’s going to see from me is unequivocal condemnation of his actions at the G20.”
Sunak also pointed to Britain’s “significant” financial and military assistance for Ukraine.
“I don’t think Putin or anyone else can look at that and say in any way that we’re weak,” he said.
The prime minister is preparing to confront Russia’s representative with allies at the summit, which started on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Defence said the contract will support 1,700 jobs during the next decade at BAE Systems sites in Govan and Scotstoun, in Glasgow.
The new ships are replacing the fleet of 12 retiring Type 23 frigates.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “We are investing in our fleet to ensure our Royal Navy maintains its world-leading capability to protect and defend our nation at sea.
“Supporting thousands of high-skilled jobs in Scotland, and more across the wider UK supply chain, this contract will continue to boost our British shipbuilding industry, galvanizing the very best of British engineering, manufacturing and design.”
BAE Systems’ chief executive Charles Woodburn said the contract would secure a “critical” British industry.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “Scotland is a world leader in building modern, state-of-the-art warships and it’s great news that our highly skilled workforce and expertise will be at the heart of delivering another five anti-submarine frigates.
“Billions of pounds of UK government defence investment into Scotland’s shipyards is already boosting our country’s prosperity through supporting thousands of jobs directly and through the supply chain.
“The National Shipbuilding Office, which has a base in the UK government hub in Edinburgh, is working with industry to deliver a 30-year pipeline of orders in the naval and commercial sectors that will boost Scotland and help level up all parts of the UK.”
GNA