The United Kingdom is stepping up on European security. Through 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.

A statement from British Forces Gibraltar follows below:

· UK stepping up on European security to secure the UK and Gibraltar against increased threats. 

· Up to 7,000 long-range weapons and £1.5 billion investment in munition and energetics  factories to boost Euro-Atlantic security. 

· UK attack submarine fleet to grow to up to 12, helping to deter Russian threats. 

· Up to £1 billion of new funding to enhance UK’s integrated air and missile defence,  improving integration with allies and partners who face the same threats. 

The United Kingdom is stepping up on European security. Through 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. 

Gibraltar is vital to the UK’s defence of Europe. 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. 

The base also provides invaluable littoral, urban, and subterranean training environments for  British military forces. 

The SDR was unveiled by the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary today, Monday 2nd  June, and moves the UK to warfighting readiness to deter rising global threats. The threats  faced today are more serious and less predictable than at any time since the Cold War.  There is war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks, and daily cyber  attacks against the UK and its allies. 

This follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5%  of GDP by 2027 and ambition for 3% in the next parliament, recognising the critical  importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty.

UK Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, said: 

“The Strategic Defence Review marks 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. 

“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.” 

The Royal Navy’s attack submarine fleet will expand alongside the construction of our four  new Dreadnought-class nuclear-armed submarines. This builds on the £15 billion investment  in the UK’s nuclear warhead programme, which secures the future of the UK’s nuclear  deterrent for generations to come. 

Up to £1 billion of new funding will also be used to enhance the UK’s integrated air and  missile defence capabilities, increasing the ability to detect threats to Europe at range and  defeat them through improved networks across the UK Armed Forces. It will also improve  integration with NATO allies who face the same threats. 

The UK’s investment in up to 7,000 long-range weapons will ensure the Armed Forces can  strike deep into contested environments. These weapons will be UK-built, and follow one of  the key lessons from the frontline in Ukraine where the supply of long-range weaponry has  been critical to repelling Russian aggression. 

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