RECODE initiative is designed to ensure the fleet remains combat-ready in the face of new military challenges.

Britain has awarded a 285-million-pound ($355.57 million) contract to London-listed BAE Systems to upgrade the Ministry of Defence's Royal Navy combat systems, the government said on Tuesday.

The defence giant has been awarded a contract to maintain and modernise combat management systems on Royal Navy vessels, supporting more than 200 UK jobs.

The US Navy has contracted BAE Systems to upgrade Mk 45 5-inch naval gun systems, including the overhaul of existing systems, to the Mk 45 Mod 4 configuration. This modification, worth $23.5m, supplements a prior $47m contract,