By Cristina Gallardo

BAE Systems won a U.K. government contract worth 285 million pounds ($355.8 million) to upgrade the threat detection systems on Royal Navy warships, less than a week after the U.K. said it tracked a Russian ship in British waters.

As part of the deal, the London-listed aerospace and defense group will enhance combat management systems on 20 Royal Navy vessels, including Type 23 and Type 26 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, and Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence said Tuesday.

The contract comes days after British Defense Secretary John Healey said the Royal Navy had monitored what he called a Russian spy ship in British waters in November and again last week.

Healey told the U.K. parliament on Jan. 22 that the vessel was used for gathering intelligence and mapping the U.K.'s critical undersea infrastructure. The Russian Embassy in the U.K. has denied any wrongdoing.

Commenting on the contract with BAE Systems, the MoD said upgrading the Royal Navy's threat detection systems will improve the U.K.'s ability to detect and deter similar incidents in the future.

"By working with British industry we're ensuring our Royal Navy has the advanced technology it needs while strengthening our domestic defence industrial base," said Maria Eagle, the U.K. minister for defense procurement and industry.

Write to Cristina Gallardo at cristina.gallardo@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 27, 2025 19:01 ET (00:01 GMT)

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