Developing situation in Gibraltar between Royal Navy and Spanish Navy

Chives

Chives

Chives

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UK Press seem to be very quiet but there seems to be a confrontation between the Spanish and Royal navies in Gibraltar.
https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/..._=1337819424_47ed79e39f1efa9f4f8a7ffab8c9ce29

"Latest vessels at sea: HMS Sabre, 2 RGP, 2GDP, 6 Spanish fishing boats and 2 Spanish Civil Guards. But it's dark can't confirm exactly."

Update evening of the 24/05/12 - Appears to be another situation developing in Gibraltar https://twitter.com/#!/JamesNeish

Update 26/05/12 The journalist that I have frequently linked to has just posted this "UK & Spanish Foreign Ministers meet in London on Tuesday. Gibraltar on the agenda." It would seem that finally the highest levels of British government are paying attention
 
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Sink the Spanish fishing boats. Down with the CFP.

Err. I mean I hope this plays out diplomatically and I understand both sides concerns.
 
Not quite sure why the Spanish are doing this, not like they can afford for it to turn into an open conflict?
 
Possibly Spanish fishermen are feeling the pinch? That's when people get silly.

I've no idea if the Spanish fleet could defeat the Royal Navy - surely not? Perhaps they'd easily defeat what we have in Gibraltar though.

If we withdrew from the CFP over it, then our fishermen would be quids in - and the Navy would be busy chasing off EU fishermen from our massive waters.
 
The Halk said:
Possibly Spanish fishermen are feeling the pinch? That's when people get silly.

I've no idea if the Spanish fleet could defeat the Royal Navy - surely not? Perhaps they'd easily defeat what we have in Gibraltar though.

If we withdrew from the CFP over it, then our fishermen would be quids in - and the Navy would be busy chasing off EU fishermen from our massive waters.
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I highly doubt it would come to war. If it did then Spain would be soundly defeated rather rapidly, think they should concentrate on sorting their economy rather than provocative actions like this
 
Chives said:
I highly doubt it would come to war. If it did then Spain would be soundly defeated rather rapidly, think they should concentrate on sorting their economy rather than provocative actions like this
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Oh indeed. War is ludicrous - I was just responding to Willhub - who in fairness I don't think is suggesting war as a reality either.

I'll bet it's fisherman rather than "Spain".
 
King Damager said:
Is it actually 'spain' who are provoking this, or is it just a few random fishing boats that are being stupid.

kd
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2 Spanish Civil guard vessels involved apparently part of the provocation so yes, the Spanish government were provoking this

Indeed according to the twitter I linked above the Spanish equivalent of the French Gendarmerie played an active role in this "Spanish Civil Guards have ignored several Royal Navy warnings to leave Gibraltar waters."... "Spanish Civil Launches show no intention of leaving and seemingly protecting spanish fishermen."
 
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Wasnt there some trouble in the Irish Sea a couple of years ago when Spanish fishing boats were chugging about in Irish waters? I forget if it was illegal but the local fishing fleet were not happy and I seem to remember they got into a spat and a Royal Navy ship had to go in and break it up.
 
Chives said:
2 Spanish Civil guard vessels involved apparently part of the provocation so yes, the Spanish government were provoking this

Indeed according to the twitter I linked above the Spanish equivalent of the French Gendarmerie played an active role in this "Spanish Civil Guards have ignored several Royal Navy warnings to leave Gibraltar waters."... "Spanish Civil Launches show no intention of leaving and seemingly protecting spanish fishermen."
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Ok, just blow them up then I say xD

kd
 
The Halk said:
I've no idea if the Spanish fleet could defeat the Royal Navy - surely not? Perhaps they'd easily defeat what we have in Gibraltar though.
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Purely for interest rather then reality as neither side wants any conflict and the spanish definitely couldn't afford it.

Both sides operate a similar number of ships RN-98 SN-95 but the RN has a significantly higher overall tonnage (350,000 vs 250,000 if memory serves) as most of the ships are bigger. We have much more in the way of advanced attack subs but a similar fleet structure. The RN are often considered top be one of the best trained and exercised forces in the world while the spanish reputation is not as great, although trusting reputations cant bite your in the backside.

The spanish operate a harrier carrier very similar in size and role as the ark royal until the government decided that the UK should be seen as the kitten of the seas

Hopefully if anything does kick off the spanish would have the decency to wait 10 years for our carriers and subs to be ready, presuming the government doesn't sell them off too.

But on the other side the Spanish would have home game advantage, it would be a very interesting strategy game match up but no one on any side wants any conflict. It would be a disaster for all involved if diplomatic relations were damaged over a couple of idiot fishermen. Also as a sidenote HMS Sabre being listed as the main ship in the article is barely much more then a fishing boat itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scimitar_class_patrol_vessel
 
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