The Royal Navy (RN) is the principal naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Tracing its origins to the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service. Since the end of the 17th century, it has been acknowledged as the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power. Due to this historical prominence, it is common – even among non-Britons – to refer to it as "The Royal Navy" without qualification.
Following victory in the First World War the Royal Navy was significantly reduced in size, although by the Second World War, it was expanded again. During the course of the Cold War, the Royal Navy has focused on global expeditionary operations around the world and protecting the far-flung countries of the Empire. It maintains a fleet of technologically sophisticated ships including sixteen nuclear-powered fleet aircraft carriers, the largest such force in the world, and a wide variety of other ships. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) replenishes Royal Navy warships at sea, and augments the Royal Navy's amphibious warfare capabilities through its landing ship dock vessels.
The Royal Navy is part of the Naval Service, which also comprises the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Naval Reserve, and Royal Marines Reserve. The Royal Indian Navy is a semi-autonomous arm of the Royal Navy financed by the Imperial Dominion of India. The professional head of the Naval Service is the First Sea Lord, an Admiral and member of the Defence Council of the British Empire. The Defence Council delegates management of the Naval Service to the Admiralty Board, chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence.
List of Vessels[]
- Illustrious-class Aircraft Carrier (1) - 1961
- King George VI-class Aircraft Carrier (14) - 1975
- HMS King George VI (NR-03)
- HMS Prince of Wales (NR-04)
- HMS Eagle (NR-05)
- HMS Irresistible (NR-06)
- HMS Courageous (NR-07)
- HMS Indomitable (NR-08)
- HMS Glorious (NR-09)
- HMS Furious (NR-10)
- HMS Formidable (NR-11)
- HMS Audacious (NR-12)
- HMS Implacable (NR-13)
- HMS Queen Elizabeth (NR-14)
- HMS Indefatigable (NR-15)
- HMS Resolution (NR-16)
- Illustrious III-class Aircraft Carrier (1, 1 UC) - 2015
- HMS Illustrious (NR-101)
- HMS Ark Royal (NR-102) under construction
- Ocean-class Amphibious Assault Ship (8) - 1995
- HMS Ocean (L10)
- HMS Edgar (L11)
- HMS Mars (L12)
- HMS Glory (L13)
- HMS Colossus (L14)
- HMS Pioneer (L15)
- HMS Brave (L16)
- HMS Erin (L17)
- Endurance-class amphibious transport dock (4) - 2000
- HMS Endurance (L18)
- HMS Resolute (L19)
- HMS Persistance (L20)
- HMS Endeavour (L21)
- Albion-class landing platform dock (12) - 2002
- HMS Albion (L22)
- HMS Bulwark (L23)
- HMS Royal Oak (L24)
- HMS Centaur (L25)
- HMS Elephant (L26)
- HMS Hermes (L27)
- HMS Ethalion (L28)
- HMS Mars (L29)
- HMS Erebus (L30)
- HMS Nairana (L31)
- HMS Campania (L32)
- HMS Manxman (L33)
- Leviathan-class amphibious assault ship (2, 3 UC, 3 planned) - 2014
- HMS Leviathan (L34)
- HMS Majestic (L35)
- HMS Powerful (L36) - under construction
- HMS Hercules (L37) - under construction
- HMS Albatross (L38) - under construction
- HMS Pegasus (L39) - planned for construction
- HMS Monarch (L40) - planned for construction
- HMS Goliath (L41) - planned for construction
- Lion-class Battleship (5) - 1968
- HMS Lion (DN-21)
- HMS Nelson (DN-22)
- HMS Rodney (DN-23)
- HMS Dreadnaught (DN-24)
- HMS Thunderchild (DN-25)
- County-class Cruiser (10) - 1990
- HMS London
- HMS Norwich
- HMS Shropshire
- HMS Dover
- HMS Aberdeen
- HMS Rosyth
- HMS Clyde
- HMS Surrey
- HMS Fife
- HMS Berwick
- Centurion-class guided missile cruiser (18) - 2004
- HMS Centurion
- HMS Excelsior
- HMS Odyssey
- HMS Phoenix
- HMS Nemesis
- HMS Repulse
- HMS Longbow
- HMS Resistance
- HMS Sentinel
- HMS Redoubtable
- HMS Constellation
- HMS Black Prince
- HMS Hector
- HMS Swiftsure
- HMS Eclipse
- HMS Brilliant
- HMS Scout
- HMS Champion
- Admiral-class air defense destroyer (16) - 1984
- HMS Robertson (DM 111)
- HMS Fraser (DM 112)
- HMS Pound (DM 113)
- HMS Howe (DM 114)
- HMS Jellicoe (DM 115)
- HMS Sommerville (DM 116)
- HMS Collingwood (DM 117)
- HMS Benbow (DM 118)
- HMS Sheppard (DM 119)
- HMS Beattie (DM 120)
- HMS Holland (DM 121)
- HMS Archer (DM 122)
- HMS Lyster (DM 123)
- HMS Whitworth (DM 124)
- HMS Hamilton (DM 125)
- HMS Moore (DM 126)
- Daring-class destroyer (20) - 1991
- HMS Daring (DM 127)
- HMS Dauntless (DM 128)
- HMS Diamond (DM 129)
- HMS Dragon (DM 130)
- HMS Defender (DM 131)
- HMS Duncan (DM 132)
- HMS Devastation (DM 133)
- HMS Dasher (DM 134)
- HMS Dolphin (DM 135)
- HMS Discovery (DM 136)
- HMS Daedalus (DM 137)
- HMS Dominion (DM 138)
- HMS Diadem (DM 139)
- HMS Defiance (DM 140)
- HMS Dryad (DM 141)
- HMS Destiny (DM 142)
- HMS Diomede (DM 143)
- HMS Druid (DM 144)
- HMS Destruction (DM 145)
- HMS Dagger (DM 146)
- Hotspur-class destroyer (46) - 2003
- HMS Hotspur (DM 147)
- HMS Encounter (DM 148)
- HMS Cernunnos (DM 149)
- HMS Hyperion (DM 150)
- HMS Glowworm (DM 151)
- HMS Emerald (DM 152)
- HMS Hurricane (DM 153)
- HMS Eclipse (DM 156)
- HMS Fury (DM 155)
- HMS Lightning (DM 156)
- HMS Impulsive (DM 157)
- HMS Meteor (DM 158)
- HMS Belenus (DM 159)
- HMS Tenacious (DM 160)
- HMS Whirlwind (DM 161)
- HMS Zephy (DM 162)
- HMS Swordsman (DM 163)
- HMS Crusader (DM 164)
- HMS Jervis (DM 165)
- HMS Larne (DM 166)
- HMS Ruadán (DM 167)
- HMS Pakenham (DM 168)
- HMS Marksman (DM 169)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 170)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 171)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 172)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 173)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 174)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 175)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 176)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 177)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 178)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 179)
- HMS Fearless (DM 180)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 181)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 182)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 183)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 184)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 185)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 186)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 187)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 188)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 189)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 190)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 191)
- HMS Unnamed (DM 192)
- Type 22B3 Frigate (26) - 1988
- HMS Cornwall (F102)
- HMS Cumberland (F103)
- HMS Campbeltown (F104)
- HMS Chatham (F105)
- HMS Chicester (F106)
- HMS Carlisle (F107)
- HMS Cwmamman (F108)
- HMS Coalisland (F109)
- HMS Concord (F211)
- HMS Cambridge (F212)
- HMS Chester (F213)
- HMS Colombo (F214)
- HMS Cawnpore (F215)
- HMS Chelmsford (F216)
- HMS Canterbury (F217)
- HMS Cowes (F218)
- HMS Cockburn Town (F219)
- HMS Crawley (F220)
- HMS Colchester (F221)
- HMS Cumbernauld (F222)
- HMS Cambuslang (F223)
- HMS Comber (F224)
- HMS Coatbridge (F225)
- HMS Caerleon (F226)
- HMS Chesterfield (F227)
- HMS Clydebank (F228)
- Type 23 Frigate (24) - 1987
- HMS Euryalus (FM 229)
- HMS Sirius (FM 230)
- HMS Phaeton (FM 231)
- HMS Galatea (FM 232)
- HMS Bonaventure (FM 233)
- HMS Minotaur (FM 234)
- HMS Polyphemus (FM 235)
- HMS Battleaxe (FM 236)
- HMS Naiad (FM 237)
- HMS Charybdis (FM 238)
- HMS Dido (FM 239)
- HMS Scylla (FM 240)
- HMS Bellona (FM 241)
- HMS Phoebe (FM 242)
- HMS Argonaut (FM 243)
- HMS Hermione (FM 244)
- HMS Leander (FM 245)
- HMS Orion (FM 248)
- HMS Neptune (FM 247)
- HMS Talisman (FM 248)
- HMS Perseus (FM 249)
- HMS Strongbow (FM 250)
- HMS Blake (FM 251)
- HMS Myrmidon (FM 252)
- Type 24 Frigate (16) - 2004
- HMS Norfolk (F253)
- HMS Argyll (F254)
- HMS Lancaster (F255)
- HMS Marlborough (F256)
- HMS Iron Duke (F257)
- HMS Monmouth (F258)
- HMS Montrose (F259)
- HMS Westminster (F260)
- HMS Northumberland (F261)
- HMS Richmond (F262)
- HMS Somerset (F263)
- HMS Grafton (F264)
- HMS Sutherland (F265)
- HMS Kent (F266)
- HMS Portland (F267)
- HMS St. Albans (F268)
- Type 26B1 Frigate (16)- 202X
- HMS Glasgow
- HMS Cardiff
- HMS Belfast
- HMS Hamilton
- HMS Nottingham
- HMS Rockingham
- HMS Leamington
- HMS Winchester
- HMS Chelsea
- HMS Georgetown
- HMS Caldwell
- HMS Castleton
- HMS York
- HMS Exeter
- HMS Dartmouth
- Type 26B2 Frigate (23) - 202Xs
- HMS Sheffield
- HMS Newcastle
- HMS London
- HMS Edinburgh
- HMS Birmingham
- HMS Southampton
- HMS Liverpool
- HMS Manchester
- HMS Gloucester
- HMS Leeds
- HMS Auckland
- HMS Wellington
- HMS Newport
- HMS Wells
- HMS Mansfield
- HMS Montgomery
- HMS Newark
- HMS Newmarket
- HMS Roxborough
- HMS St.Marys
- HMS Lewes
- HMS Ludlow
- HMS Bath
- Type 31 Frigate (9) - 202Xs
- HMS Active
- HMS Bulldog
- HMS Formidable
- HMS Venturer
- HMS Campbelltown
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- Type 32 Frigate (9) - 202Xs
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- HMS Unnamed
- Dreadnought Class Nuclear Submarine - 20xx
- HMS Dreadnought - Planned
- HMS Warspite - Planned
- HMS Valiant- Planned
- HMS King George VI- Planned
- HMS Barham- Planned
- HMS Malaya- Planned
- HMS Collingwood- Planned
- HMS St Vincent- Planned
- HMS Benbow- Planned
- HMS Emperor of India- Planned
- HMS Empress of India- Planned
- HMS Erin- Planned
- HMS Barfleur - Planned
- HMS Prince George- Planned
- HMS Caesar- Planned
- HMS Hannibal- Planned
- HMS Canopus- Planned
- HMS King Edward VII - Planned
- HMS Lord Nelson - Planned
- HMS Challenger - Planned
- HMS Inflexible - Planned
- HMS Royal Alfred - Planned
- HMS Alexandra- Planned
- HMS Prince Albert - Planned
- HMS Cerberus- Planned
- HMS Pallas- Planned
- Vanguard-class Nuclear Attack Submarine (24) - 1977
- HMS Vanguard (SN 151)
- HMS Victorious (SN 152)
- HMS Vigilant (SN 153)
- HMS Vengeance (SN 154)
- HMS Valiant (SN 155)
- HMS Venerable (SN 156)
- HMS Volcano (SN 157)
- HMS Vigourous (SN 158)
- HMS Valkyrie (SN 159)
- HMS Volunteer (SN 160)
- HMS Versatile (SN 161)
- HMS Valhalla (SN 162)
- HMS Vixen (SN 163)
- HMS Volage (SN 164)
- HMS Valentine (SN 165)
- HMS Virago (SN 166)
- HMS Vortex (SN 167)
- HMS Venom (SN 168)
- HMS Vineyard (SN 169)
- HMS Variance (SN 170)
- HMS Vulpine (SN 171)
- HMS Voracious (SN 172)
- HMS Virtue (SN 173)
- HMS Vampire (SN 174)
- Trafalgar-class Nuclear Attack Submarine (32) - 1983
- HMS Trafalgar (SN 175)
- HMS Turbulent (SN 176)
- HMS Tireless (SN 177)
- HMS Torbay (SN 178)
- HMS Trenchant (SN 179)
- HMS Talent (SN 180)
- HMS Triumph (SN 181)
- HMS Tiger (SN 182)
- HMS Temeraire (SN 183)
- HMS Theseus (SN 184)
- HMS Thunderer (SN 185)
- HMS Taurus (SN 186)
- HMS Terror (SN 187)
- HMS Torrential (SN 188)
- HMS Tracker (SN 189)
- HMS Tenacious (SN 190)
- HMS Thresher (SN 191)
- HMS Tigershark (SN 192)
- HMS Tornado (SN 193)
- HMS Talisman (SN 194)
- HMS Threat (SN 195)
- HMS Tetrarch (SN 196)
- HMS Tempest (SN 197)
- HMS Tarpon (SN 198)
- HMS Tigris (SN 199)
- HMS Thistle (SN 200)
- HMS Trooper (SN 201)
- HMS Triton (SN 202)
- HMS Tuna (SN 203)
- HMS Thor (SN 204)
- HMS Trusty (SN 205)
- HMS Terpsichore (SN 206)
- Upholder-class Hunter Killer Submarine (16) - 1991
- HMS Upholder (S41)
- HMS Unseen (S42)
- HMS Ursula (S43)
- HMS Unicorn (S44)
- HMS Ulysses (S45)
- HMS Ultimatum (S46)
- HMS Unbroken (S47)
- HMS Uproar (S48)
- HMS Umbra (S49)
- HMS Undaunted (S50)
- HMS Urgent (S51)
- HMS Upstart (S52)
- HMS Urania (S53)
- HMS Undine (S54)
- HMS Ursa (S55)
- HMS Uther (S56)
- Warspite-class Nuclear Attack Submarine (6) - 1996
- HMS Warspite (SN 207)
- HMS Wolf (SN 208)
- HMS Wyvern (SN 209)
- HMS Wanderer (SN 210)
- HMS Whirlwind (SN 211)
- HMS Wolverine (SN 212)
- Astute-class Nuclear Attack Submarine (19, 11 UC, 22 planned) – 2003
- HMS Astute (SN 213)
- HMS Ambush (SN 214)
- HMS Artful (SN 215)
- HMS Audacity (SN 216)
- HMS Anson (SN 217)
- HMS Agamemnon (SN 218)
- HMS Ajax (SN 219)
- HMS Andromeda (SN 220)
- HMS Agincourt (SN 221)
- HMS Amethyst (SN 222)
- HMS Astraea (SN 223)
- HMS Atlas (SN 224)
- HMS Amalthea (SN 225)
- HMS Arethusa (SN 226)
- HMS Achilles (SN 227)
- HMS Asgard (SN 228)
- HMS Aladdin (SN 229) - sea trials
- HMS Atlantis (SN 230) - fitting out
- HMS Astarte (SN 231) - fitting out
- HMS Amphion (SN 232) - under construction
- HMS Auriga (SN 233) - under construction
- HMS Alliance (SN 234) - under construction
- HMS Artemis (SN 235) - under construction
- HMS Austere (SN 236) - under construction
- HMS Agile (SN 237) - under construction
- HMS Admirable (SN 238) - under construction
- HMS Answer (SN 239) - under construction
- HMS Ardent (SN 240) - under construction
- HMS Asperity (SN 241) - planned for construction
- HMS Aeneas (SN 242) - planned for construction
- HMS Argosy (SN 243) – planned for construction
- HMS Alcestis (SN 244) – planned for construction
- HMS Abelard (SN 245) – planned for construction
- HMS Andromanche (SN 246) – planned for construction
- HMS Anteus (SN 247) – planned for construction
- HMS Awake (SN 248) – planned for construction
- HMS Ace (SN 249) – planned for construction
- HMS Alaric (SN 250) – planned for construction
- HMS Aurochs (SN 251) – planned for construction
- HMS Affray (SN 252) – planned for construction
- HMS Anchorite (SN 253) – planned for construction
- HMS Alcide (SN 254) – planned for construction
- HMS Alderney (SN 255) – planned for construction
- HMS Airgetlamh (SN 256) – planned for construction
- HMS Acheron (SN 257) – planned for construction
- HMS Antagonist (SN 258) – planned for construction
- HMS Aggressor (SN 259) – planned for construction
- HMS Adversary (SN 260) – planned for construction
- HMS Acasta (SN 261) – planned for construction
- HMS Approach (SN 262) – planned for construction
- HMS Arcadian (SN 263) – planned for construction
- HMS Ariadne (SN 264) – planned for construction
- Gleaner-class Survey Vessel (1) - 1984
- HMSNL Gleaner (H86)
- Roebuck-class Coast Survey Ship (1) - 1986
- HMS Roebuck (H130)
- Scott-class Ocean Survey Vessel (1) - 1997
- HMS Scott (H131)
- Echo-class Multipurpose Survey Ship (2) - 2003
- HMS Echo (H87)
- HMS Enterprize (H88)
- Hunt-class Mine Countermeasures Vessel (13) - 1980
- HMS Brecon (M29)
- HMS Ledbury (M30)
- HMS Cattistock (M31)
- HMS Cottesmore (M32)
- HMS Brocklesby (M33)
- HMS Middleton (M34)
- HMS Dulverton (M35)
- HMS Bicester (M36)
- HMS Chiddingfold (M37)
- HMS Atherstone (M38)
- HMS Hurworth (M39)
- HMS Berkeley (M40)
- HMS Quorn (M41)
- Bedok-class Mine Countermeasures Vessel (4) - 1985
- HMS Bedok (M42)
- HMS Kallong (M43)
- HMS Katong (M44)
- HMS Punggol (M45)
- Sandown-class Minehunter (12) - 1989
- HMS Sandown (M101)
- HMS Inverness (M102)
- HMS Cromer (M103)
- HMS Walney (M104)
- HMS Bridport (M105)
- HMS Penzance (M106)
- HMS Pembroke (M107)
- HMS Grimsby (M108)
- HMS Bangor (M109)
- HMS Ramsey (M110)
- HMS Blyth (M111)
- HMS Shoreham (M112)
- River-class minesweeper (13) - 2006
- HMS Waveney (MSF 2003)
- HMS Carron (MSF 2004)
- HMS Dovey (MSF 2005)
- HMS Helford (MSF 2006)
- HMS Humber (MSF 2007)
- HMS Blackwater (MSF 2008)
- HMS Itchen (MSF 2009)
- HMS Helmsdale (MSF 2010)
- HMS Orwell (MSF 2011)
- HMS Ribble (MSF 2012)
- HMS Spey (MSF 2013)
- HMS Arun (MSF 2014)
- HMS Essequibo (MSF 2015)
- Archer-class Patrol Boat (16) - 1985
- HMS Archer (P264)
- HMS Example (P265)
- HMS Biter (P270)
- HMS Explorer (P271)
- HMS Smiter (P272)
- HMS Pursuer (P273)
- HMS Tracker (P274)
- HMS Raider (P275)
- HMS Express (P276)
- HMS Exploit (P277)
- HMS Ranger (P278)
- HMS Blazer (P279)
- HMS Dasher (P280)
- HMS Puncher (P281)
- HMS Charger (P282)
- HMS Trumpeter (P283)
- Endurance-class Icebreaker (1) - 1991
- HMS Endurance (A171)
- Fearsome-class patrol vessel (12) - 1996
- HMS Fearsome
- HMS Bravery
- HMS Courage
- HMS Gallant
- HMS Buster
- HMS Duel
- HMS Resilience
- HMS Unity
- HMS Sovereignty
- HMS Justice
- HMS Freedom
- HMS Independence
- River-class Patrol Vessel (8, 4 UC) - 2002
- HMS Tyne (P284)
- HMS Severn (P285)
- HMS Mersey (P286)
- HMS Clyde (P287)
- HMS Derwent (P292)
- HMS Calder (P293)
- HMS Truro (P294)
- HMS Ashburne (P295)
- HMS Forth (P302) - under construction
- HMS Medway (P303) - under construction
- HMS Trent (P304) - under construction
- Scimitar-class Patrol Boat (4) - 2003
- HMS Scimitar (P288)
- HMS Sabre (P289)
- HMS Spadroon (P290)
- HMS Shashka (P291)
- County-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (3) - 2007
- HMS Cornwall (P296)
- HMS Middlesex (P297)
- HMS Sheffield (P298)
- Leonard C. Banfield-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (3) - 2007
- HMS Leonard C. Banfield (P299)
- HMS Rudyard Lewis (P300)
- HMS Trident (P301)
- Black Swan-class Sloop (14, 10 UC) - 2013
- HMS Black Swan (P305)
- HMS Egret (P306)
- HMS Wren (P307)
- HMS Skylark (P308)
- HMS Crane (P309)
- HMS Pheasant (P310)
- HMS Kite (P311)
- HMS Lapwing (P312)
- HMS Bullfinch (P313)
- HMS Partridge (P314)
- HMS Waterhen (P315)
- HMS Bittern (P316)
- HMS Raven (P317)
- HMS Skua (P318)
- HMS Kestrel (P319)
- HMS Gyrfalcon (P320)
- HMS Flycatcher (P321)
- HMS Dotterel (P322)
- HMS Sparrowhawk (P323)
- HMS Blackbird (P324)
- HMS Firecrest (P325)
- HMS Nightingale (P326)
- HMS Greenshank (P327)
- HMS Shearwater (P328)
- Protecteur-class Icebreaker (1) - 2011
- HMS Protecteur (A173)
- Special Vessels (2) - 1778, 1973
- HMS Victory
- HMS Bristol (D23)
Museum Ships[]
The Royal Navy has a large number of museum ships around the British Empire.
- HMS Alliance (S417)
- HMS Anson (79)
- HMS Ark Royal (91)
- HMS Belfast (C35)
- HMS Bronington (M1115)
- HMS Caroline
- HMS Cavalier (D73)
- HMS Centurion
- HMS Courageous (SN 125)
- HMS Dreadnought
- HMS Duke of York (17)
- HMS Excalibur (SN 102)
- HMS Fearless (H67)
- HMS Gannet
- HMS Holland 1
- HMS Hood (51)
- HMS Howe (32)
- HMS Iron Duke
- HMS Implacable (R86)
- HMS King George V (41)
- HMS Malaya (01)
- HMS Malta (R43)
- HMS M-33
- HMS Medusa
- HMS Ocelot (S17)
- HMS Onyx (S21)
- HMS Otus (S18)
- HMS Plymouth (F126)
- HMS President
- HMS Rodney (R14)
- HMS Trincomalee
- HMS Unicorn
- HMS Victory
- HMS Warrior
- HMS Warspite (03)
- HMS Wilton (M1116)
- HMS X24
- HMS X51 Stickleback
- HMS XE8 Expunger