A Spanish warship interrupted a Royal Navy exercise on Thursday morning.

The Rayo P42 entered British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) during military training involving HMS Chiddington, HMS Penzance, HMS Sabre, and two PAC24 RHIBs.

The Spanish Navy vessel reportedly challenged the British sovereignty of the waters around the Rock in a VHF radio exchange with local authorities.

Footage obtained by GBC shows the Spanish vessel in local waters to the east of the Rock, motoring south. HMS Sabre had to abandon the exercise in order to escort her out of BGTW. After the Spanish warship motored past Europa Point, a Guardia Civil vessel then had to be shadowed until she left BGTW.

During the incident, Rule Brittania was played on VHF radio on maritime channel 16, although it's not clear by who.

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