<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Gibraltar base is set to play “a vital role” in the British government’s new defense strategy, announced this Monday by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.</strong></h4> According to the British Armed Forces in Gibraltar, the United Kingdom has launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), “significant investment in long-range weapon systems, attack submarines, and integrated air and missile defence will enhance UK and European security, boost manufacturing capability, and deter Russian aggression.” In this context, the same source continued, “Gibraltar is vital to the UK’s defence of Europe” because “it is the gateway of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, and acts as a service station for all types of Royal Navy vessels, as well as providing crucial maritime situational awareness for the Strait of Gibraltar.” In addition, the base provides British military forces with “invaluable littoral, urban, and subterranean training environments.” The SDR, presented on June 2 by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defense Minister John Healey, will allow the United Kingdom to be prepared to fight growing global threats, at a time characterized by “war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks, and daily cyber attacks against the UK and its allies.” The announced measure follows Starmer’s commitment to increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027 and to reach 3 percent in the next parliament. For his part, British Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard stated that “the Strategic Defence Review represents a generational shift in how we defend Britain, our Overseas Territories, and our allies.” “We are moving to warfighting readiness to deter rising global threats – backed by investment and cutting-edge technology,” he continued. “Our growing submarine fleet, enhanced missile defence, and thousands of new long-range weapons will ensure that the UK can deter, fight, and win. Gibraltar remains a vital forward base – our gateway between the Mediterranean and Atlantic – and a cornerstone of NATO’s southern flank,” he added. In this regard, according to the same sources, “British Forces Gibraltar’s communication systems, runway facilities, and port make it a crucial base for the UK and NATO.” “The investment and modernisation of UK Defence under the Strategic Defence Review will see Gibraltar continue its vital role in the defence of the UK and wider Euro-Atlantic,” they added.
