HMS Westminster has arrived in Gibraltar a day after Spanish fishermen were involved in a stand-off with UK military and police boats.
The Royal Navy warship sailed in as tensions flared with Spain over the British territory.
The type 23 frigate is due to spend three days on the Rock before joining several other vessels taking part in a pre-planned international training exercise in the Mediterranean and Gulf.
Its visit to the Rock was described by the Ministry of Defence as "long-planned".
But Sky's David Bowden, in Gibraltar, said the warship's presence will be seen as a "strong symbol" of Britain's desire to defend its territory.
Yesterday, a flotilla of more than 30 fishing boats was "corralled" by Royal Navy vessels after protesting near the spot where Gibraltar's government placed 70 concrete blocks in disputed waters next to the Rock.
Gibraltar says it has created the concrete artificial reef there to protect local fish stocks from trawling, but Madrid says it restricts their right to fish.
The Spanish government has accused Gibraltar of laying the blocks "without the necessary authorisation" in "waters that are not theirs".
It responded by introducing additional checks at the fenced border, and suggesting a 50 euro (£43.30) fee could be imposed on every vehicle entering or leaving Gibraltar.
On Friday, Prime Minister David Cameron raised the matter with European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.
He said the checks - which have seen huge delays at the border in recent weeks - were "politically motivated and disproportionate" and therefore contrary to the EU right of free movement.
UKIP MEP William Dartmouth, member for the South West of England and Gibraltar, has suggested that a member of the Royal family should visit Gibraltar to mark 300 years of British sovereignty.
"Nothing could demonstrate more to the citizens of Gibraltar how strongly Britain stands behind them in wishing to stay part of the United Kingdom than a visit by a member of the royal family," he said.
The row has set relations between Spain and the territory back 40 years, according to Edward Macquisten, chief executive of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce.
He said it was also having an impact on Gibraltar's high season tourist trade, which usually sees hordes of British visitors from Spanish resorts.
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