Chapter 4 – Protect Our People 25 4.15 In 2011 we established the UK National Maritime Information Centre to coordinate information about our maritime security, nationally and with international partners. We will enhance joint working between law enforcement agencies and the Royal Navy to increase patrolling in our territorial waters. We will also improve aerial surveillance operations and information sharing across government. 4.16 The UK has been under constant threat from ballistic missiles since the Second World War. But states outside the Euro-Atlantic area and non-state actors are now acquiring ballistic missile technology. The threat faced by the UK, our Overseas Territories and our military bases has evolved. We will continue to commit significant funds to the NATO Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) network, as well as supporting research and development initiatives and multinational engagement through the UK’s Missile Defence Centre. We will invest in a ground-based BMD radar, which will enhance the coverage and effectiveness of the NATO BMD system. We will also investigate further the potential of the Type 45 Destroyers to operate in a BMD role. Our Overseas Territories 4.17 Our 14 Overseas Territories retain a constitutional link with the UK. Our relationship, while rooted in centuries of shared history, is a modern one, based on mutual benefits and responsibilities. We take our responsibilities seriously and will continue to support these communities and their right to safety, security and self-determination. 4.18 We will continue to work closely with the Falkland Islanders to defend their right to selfdetermination, which is enshrined in the Charter of the UN. They face an unjustified claim of ownership from Argentina. We judge the risk of a military attack to be low, but we will retain a deterrence posture, with sufficient military forces in the region, including Royal Navy warships, Army units and RAF Typhoon aircraft. We will invest up to £300 million over the next 10 years to enhance operational communications, renew the existing air defence system and upgrade infrastructure. 4.19 Some of our Overseas Territories face threats from transnational crimes such as illegal migration, narcotics smuggling, money laundering and illegal fishing. In the Caribbean in particular, we are working with our Overseas Territories to improve security and law enforcement. There are also risks from climate change, natural disasters and hostile foreign activity. We will continue to build our Overseas Territories’ resilience, crisis preparedness and response. 4.20 We have increased the manning of the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron and improved our ability to monitor Gibraltar’s territorial waters. We will continue to challenge all incursions. In Cyprus, two Army infantry battalions contribute to the security of the Sovereign Base Areas and we are increasing manning levels at RAF Akrotiri airfield to provide better support to ongoing operations against ISIL and in the wider region. This will also enable us to evacuate British nationals or to conduct hostage rescue missions more quickly. Combating hostile foreign intelligence activity 4.21 The UK is a target for hostile foreign intelligence activity because we are an advanced economy, have a sophisticated military, and wield international influence as a member of NATO, the EU and the G7 and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The threat, by its very nature, is covert. Our defences must be robust, protecting our most valuable assets and national security investments.