Citing Russian Threats, UK PM Sunak Announces To Build 5 Navy Ships

The United Kingdom will spend USD 4.9 billion on five new Navy ships to strengthen security in the face of increased Russian threats, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a Downing Street statement on Tuesday.

The statement said that the United Kingdom and its allies are strengthening their security in the face of increased Russian threats.

“Russia's actions endanger all of us. While assisting the Ukrainian people, we are also utilising the breadth and depth of UK expertise to protect ourselves and our allies. This includes the construction of the next generation of British warships,” Sunak said.

According to the statement, the funding is the next step in a programme that already has three vessels under construction, with all eight frigates expected to be completed by the mid-2030s.

Sunak announced while in Bali, Indonesia, for a Group of 20 meetings, which is expected to heap pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin has stayed away, sending his foreign minister instead, but Downing Street said that the UK and allies would “call out” Putin’s callous disregard for human rights and stress that Russia’s role in the international system will never be normalised while the war in Ukraine continues.