UK Ministry of Defence delays frigate acquisition program

 The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has suspended plans to acquire five frigates, citing not enough "compliant bids" from prospective shipbuilders.

However, UK opposition member Luke Pollard has argued that financial reasons could be behind the suspension, pointing out the government failed to account for the £1.25 billion plan in its budget for the MoD.

The MoD announced the plan last year, setting a price cap of £250 million per vessel.