Tri-Service

Spanish Warship In 'Provocative' Gibraltar Incursion

A Spanish warship that entered British Territorial Waters off Gibraltar did not have her weapons covered and undertook dangerous manoeuvres.

In what's been described as a "provocative" act by the Foreign Office the corvette Infanta Elena made the incursion on Wednesday afternoon.

A fast patrol boat belonging to the Royal Navy's Gibraltar Squadron is understood to have had to take evasive action after the Spanish vessel suddenly changed course.

The actions of the Infanta Elena could constitute a breach of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the British Government has sent an official protest to the Spanish Government on that basis.

A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We have protested this incursion directly to the Spanish authorities, on both diplomatic and military channels.

“We have made clear that the dangerous behaviour was unacceptable and that the weapons being uncovered could be perceived as provocative. We have asked for an explanation.”

“Although incursions by Spanish State vessels are a violation of sovereignty, they are not a threat to it and do not weaken or undermine the international legal basis for UK sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters,” the FCO spokesperson added.

WATCH: Close Combat Training In The Tunnels Of Gibraltar

Earlier this month the refurbishment of RAF Gibraltar's runway was completed after 4 months of work.

The station handles both military and civilian flights on its 6000 ft runway, a third of which juts into the sea. The runway is also crossed by a 4 lane road which is the only road to Gibraltar from Spain.

The refurbished runway is expected to last for around 20 years.