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Extra eyes on the Rock as Navy’s Gibraltar Squadron embraces drone technology
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4 September 2025
There are extra eyes on the Rock after the Royal Navy’s Gibraltar guardians added drones to their inventory.
The RN Gibraltar Squadron – our presence in the Rock’s territorial waters 24/7/365 – has taken a significant step in sharpening its operational capabilities by training with the Navy’s drone experts to operate uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVS).
The squadron uses HMS Dagger and Cutlass, bolstered by RIBS, to conduct its patrols of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
Small quadcopters equipped with cameras will enhance their ability to conduct maritime security, reconnaissance, and force protection missions by extending how far the craft and their crew can see.
A team from 700X Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, flew out to the Rock to deliver a week’s training, equipping the Gibraltar Squadron’s personnel with the skills and qualifications necessary to operate lightweight UAVs at sea.
Lieutenant Charles Harper, assistant training Officer with 700X NAS, led the instruction and praised the professionalism and commitment of the Gib Squadron team.
“It has been a privilege to instruct the RN Gibraltar Squadron team. They approached the course with professionalism and enthusiasm – and despite having no prior UAV experience, they progressed quickly and now possess a strong foundation for operational application,” he said.
Getting hands-on with the system and understanding how it can help us identify and track contacts from a distance has really shown me how much of a difference UAVs can make to day-to-day operations.
Among those qualifying during the training was Able Seaman Francesca Savage, who is now a qualified UAV operator and sees the new technology as expanding the squadron’s abilities.
“It’s exciting to be part of this capability from the start,” she said. “Getting hands-on with the system and understanding how it can help us identify and track contacts from a distance has really shown me how much of a difference UAVs can make to day-to-day operations.”
Her comments are reinforced by the Gibraltar Squadron’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Cameron Walters
“This is a vital step forward for the Gibraltar Squadron and the Royal Navy. Operating UAVs from our vessels provides a genuine tactical edge, improving our ability to monitor and respond to activity in and around British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
“We’re proud to be shortly among one of the first units at this level to integrate UAVs at sea, and the support from 700X in helping us achieve this has been outstanding.”