Gibraltar Squadron

The Gibraltar Squadron is a unit of the British Royal Navy. It is the only resident seagoing Royal Naval unit in Gibraltar, attached to British Forces Gibraltar. It consists of two 16 m Patrol launches—HMS Scimitar (P284) and her sister ship HMS Sabre (P285)—and three Pacific 24 rigid-hulled inflatable boats, manned by a team of 22 people.

According to the Royal Navy, the unit's mission is to:

"'To contribute to the maritime defence and security of Gibraltar and, where necessary, the prosecution of offensive maritime operations in order to allow BFG to support military ops as directed by HMG.'"

Based in a purpose-built headquarters in Gibraltar, the Squadron is operational throughout the year in order to meet its directive from Commander British Forces Gibraltar, with particular regard to the security and integrity of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). It is also responsible for the protection of British, NATO and allied warships passing through the Strait of Gibraltar or entering the naval base. Uniquely for the Royal Navy, the Squadron is permanently assigned to the Operational Command of Commander Joint Operations. The squadron is attached to the Portsmouth Flotilla and is one of two units permanently stationed overseas, the other being HMS Clyde, also assigned to the Portsmouth Flotilla.

History
The unit was established on the 28th August 1985 following the withdrawal of the RAF Marine Craft Unit No. 1022. The two motor launches attached to the previous unit, HMAFV Sunderland and Stirling, remained however and were subsequently renamed HM ships Hart and Cormorant respectively. Both vessels remained with the squadron until May 1991 when they were replaced by the new P2000 patrol boats HM Ships Ranger and Trumpeter. These in turn remained with the squadron until 2003.

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, security arrangements for the squadron were enhanced and the unit received yet another new pair of patrol boats, HMS Sabre and HMS Scimitar, as well as three new RHIBs, in September 2002. In recent years, the unit has played host to nine URNU students each summer for a two week acquaint, giving them experience of a front line unit. In August 2011 the unit moved into its new facilities in the Old Boathouse on the Gibraltar waterfront.

On several occasions vessels of the Spanish Navy and Civil Guard have entered Gibraltar territorial waters and boats of the squadron have been dispatched to intercept them. The issue of sovereignty over Gibraltar has been a matter of contention between the United Kingdom and Spain since the territory first became a British colony and latterly an overseas territory.

The current coalition government are undertaking a review of the facilities and services associated with British Forces in Gibraltar. The review, known as Project EUSTON, has established that the three service units (the Gibraltar Squadron, RAF Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Regiment) will remain whilst some facilities and services will be handed over to the civilian government.

Boathouse
Since 2011 the Gibraltar Squadron has shared a headquarters and boathouse with the Marine Unit of the Gibraltar Defence Police. The boathouse accommodates the Navy's 2 patrol boats and 3 RHIBs, and the police's 2 patrol boats and 2 RHIBs.

Scimitar class
The two patrol boats of the squadron are known as Lifespan Patrol Vessels (LPVs), built by Halmatic (now BAE Systems) and which previously served in Northern Ireland. HM Ships Scimitar and Sabre, previously known as MX Grey Fox and MV Grey Wolf respectively, were drawn from service in Northern Ireland. The two boats are capable of 30 knots and are armed with two General Purpose Machine guns (GPMGs).

External References

 * Official Royal Navy website