# List of active Royal Navy ships

The Royal Navy is the principal naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Its assets include both commissioned warships and non-commissioned vessels. As of December 2024, there are 62 commissioned and active ships in the Royal Navy.
Of the commissioned vessels, sixteen are major surface combatants (two aircraft carriers, six guided missile destroyers and eight frigates) and nine are nuclear-powered submarines (four ballistic missile submarines and five fleet submarines). In addition the Navy possesses seven mine countermeasures vessels, twenty-six patrol vessels, two survey vessels, one icebreaker and one historic warship, Victory. The total displacement of the Royal Navy's commissioned and active ships is approximately 393,000 tonnes.
The Royal Navy also includes a number of smaller non-commissioned assets. The naval training vessels Brecon and Hindostan can be found based at the Royal Navy stone frigates HMS Raleigh and the Britannia Royal Naval College, respectively. Non-commissioned Sea-class workboats, procured under Project Vahana, are operated by the Royal Navy in various support, survey and training roles, replacing previous P1000 Class Picket Boat vessels. This class of vessel also incorporates an autonomous minehunting variant (known as the Arcims-class), while another autonomous vessel, Madfox, is employed in varied roles including as a testbed for autonomous combat operations. Madfox and other experimental vessels, including XV Patrick Blackett and APAC-24 (a crewless Pacific 24 rigid-hulled inflatable boat), are operated by NavyX, a unit of the Royal Navy dedicated to developing, testing and accelerating the use of new high technologies. RNMB [Royal Navy Motor Boat] Apollo is another mine countermeasures boat.
Besides the Royal Navy, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and the Royal Marines operate their own flotillas of vessels which complement the assets of the Royal Navy. These vessels are not included in this list or the above figures. Nevertheless, combined, the Royal Navy and RFA have 73 vessels with a total displacement of about 671,000 tonnes, with the principal landing craft of the Royal Marines having an additional combined displacement of about 2,200 tonnes.
As a supporting contingent of His Majesty's Naval Service, the civilian Marine Services operate nearly 100 auxiliary ships (including coastal logistics, tugs and research vessels) in support of Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary operations.
In the United Kingdom, the Royal Navy operates three main bases where commissioned ships are based: HMNB Portsmouth, HMNB Devonport and HMNB Clyde. A number of commissioned vessels, belonging to the University Royal Naval Units (URNU), are stationed at various other locations around the United Kingdom.
The Royal Navy's principal overseas base is HMS Jufair in Bahrain. A general-purpose frigate and vessels belonging to the navy's 9th Mine Counter-Measures Squadron are forward-deployed there. Two fast patrol boats, together with a forward-deployed River-class offshore patrol vessel, normally form part of the Gibraltar Squadron and are permanently based there. Four other River-class vessels are also forward-deployed: one in the Falkland Islands, one in the Caribbean and two in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, the United Kingdom maintains a Joint Logistics Support Base in Duqm, Oman.
All ships and submarines currently in commission with the Royal Navy were built in the United Kingdom, with the exceptions of icebreaker Protector which was built in Norway and survey vessel Magpie which was substantially built in Ireland. All commissioned vessels of the Royal Navy bear the ship prefix "HMS", for His Majesty's Ship or His Majesty's Submarine.

## Ceremonial/Historic ship

Flagship of the First Sea Lord :
| Classic first-rate ||||||||
| Class | Ship | No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| Ship of the line | HMS Victory | — | 1778 | 3,556 tonnes | First-rate ship of the line | Portsmouth | |

## Submarine service

Submarine service :
| Strategic ||||||||
| Class | Boat | No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| Vanguard class | HMS Vanguard | S28 | 1993 | 15,900 tonnes | Ballistic missile submarine | Clyde | |
| Vanguard class | HMS Victorious | S29 | 1995 | 15,900 tonnes | Ballistic missile submarine | Clyde | |
| Vanguard class | HMS Vigilant | S30 | 1996 | 15,900 tonnes | Ballistic missile submarine | Clyde | |
| Vanguard class | HMS Vengeance | S31 | 1999 | 15,900 tonnes | Ballistic missile submarine | Clyde | |
| Fleet ||||||||
| Class | Boat | Pennant No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| Astute class | HMS Astute | S119 | 2010 | 7,400 tonnes | Fleet submarine | Clyde | |
| Astute class | HMS Ambush | S120 | 2013 | 7,400 tonnes | Fleet submarine | Clyde | |
| Astute class | HMS Artful | S121 | 2016 | 7,400 tonnes | Fleet submarine | Clyde | |
| Astute class | HMS Audacious | S122 | 2021 | 7,400 tonnes | Fleet submarine | Clyde | |
| Astute class | HMS Anson | S123 | 2022 | 7,400 tonnes | Fleet submarine | Clyde | |

## Surface fleet

Surface fleet :
| Aircraft carriers ||||||||
| Class | Ship | No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| Queen Elizabeth class | HMS Queen Elizabeth | R08 | 2017 | 80,600 tonnes | Aircraft carrier | Portsmouth | |
| Queen Elizabeth class | HMS Prince of Wales | R09 | 2019 | 80,600 tonnes | Aircraft carrier | Portsmouth | |
| Destroyers ||||||||
| Class | Ship | No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| Type 45 / Daring class | HMS Daring | D32 | 2009 | 8,500 tonnes | Anti-air guided-missile destroyer | Portsmouth | |
| Type 45 / Daring class | HMS Dauntless | D33 | 2010 | 8,500 tonnes | Anti-air guided-missile destroyer | Portsmouth | |
| Type 45 / Daring class | HMS Diamond | D34 | 2011 | 8,500 tonnes | Anti-air guided-missile destroyer | Portsmouth | |
| Type 45 / Daring class | HMS Dragon | D35 | 2012 | 8,500 tonnes | Anti-air guided-missile destroyer | Portsmouth | |
| Type 45 / Daring class | HMS Defender | D36 | 2013 | 8,500 tonnes | Anti-air guided-missile destroyer | Portsmouth | |
| Type 45 / Daring class | HMS Duncan | D37 | 2013 | 8,500 tonnes | Anti-air guided-missile destroyer | Portsmouth | |
| Frigates ||||||||
| Class | Ship | No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| Type 23 / Duke class | HMS Lancaster | F229 | 1992 | 4,900 tonnes | Guided-missile frigate | Portsmouth | |
| Type 23 / Duke class | HMS Iron Duke | F234 | 1993 | 4,900 tonnes | Guided-missile frigate | Devonport | |
| Type 23 / Duke class | HMS Richmond | F239 | 1995 | 4,900 tonnes | Guided-missile frigate | Devonport | |
| Type 23 / Duke class | HMS Somerset | F82 | 1996 | 4,900 tonnes | Guided-missile frigate | Devonport | |
| Type 23 / Duke class | HMS Sutherland | F81 | 1997 | 4,900 tonnes | Guided-missile frigate | Devonport | |
| Type 23 / Duke class | HMS Kent | F78 | 2000 | 4,900 tonnes | Guided-missile frigate | Devonport | |
| Type 23 / Duke class | HMS Portland | F79 | 2001 | 4,900 tonnes | Guided-missile frigate | Devonport | |
| Type 23 / Duke class | HMS St Albans | F83 | 2002 | 4,900 tonnes | Guided-missile frigate | Devonport | |
| Offshore patrol ||||||||
| Class | Ship | No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| River class | HMS Tyne | P281 | 2003 | 1,700 tonnes | Offshore patrol vessel | Portsmouth | |
| River class | HMS Severn | P282 | 2003 and 2021 | 1,700 tonnes | Offshore patrol vessel | Portsmouth | |
| River class | HMS Mersey | P283 | 2003 | 1,700 tonnes | Offshore patrol vessel | Portsmouth | |
| River class | HMS Forth | P222 | 2018 | 2,000 tonnes | Offshore patrol vessel | Portsmouth | |
| River class | HMS Medway | P223 | 2019 | 2,000 tonnes | Offshore patrol vessel | Portsmouth | |
| River class | HMS Trent | P224 | 2020 | 2,000 tonnes | Offshore patrol vessel | Portsmouth | |
| River class | HMS Tamar | P233 | 2020 | 2,000 tonnes | Offshore patrol vessel | Portsmouth | |
| River class | HMS Spey | P234 | 2021 | 2,000 tonnes | Offshore patrol vessel | Portsmouth | |
| Mine countermeasures ||||||||
| Class | Ship | No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| Hunt class | HMS Ledbury | M30 | 1981 | 750 tonnes | Minehunter | Portsmouth | |
| Hunt class | HMS Cattistock | M31 | 1982 | 750 tonnes | Minehunter | Portsmouth | |
| Hunt class | HMS Brocklesby | M33 | 1983 | 750 tonnes | Minehunter | Portsmouth | |
| Hunt class | HMS Middleton | M34 | 1984 | 750 tonnes | Minehunter | Portsmouth | |
| Hunt class | HMS Chiddingfold | M37 | 1984 | 750 tonnes | Minehunter | Portsmouth | |
| Hunt class | HMS Hurworth | M39 | 1985 | 750 tonnes | Minehunter | Portsmouth | |
| Sandown class | HMS Bangor | M109 | 2000 | 600 tonnes | Minehunter | Clyde | |
| Coastal & fast patrol ||||||||
| Class | Ship | No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| Archer class | HMS Archer | P264 | 1985 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Edinburgh | |
| Archer class | HMS Biter | P270 | 1986 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Liverpool | |
| Archer class | HMS Smiter | P272 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Portsmouth | |
| Archer class | HMS Pursuer | P273 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Glasgow | |
| Archer class | HMS Blazer | P279 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Portsmouth | |
| Archer class | HMS Dasher | P280 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Portsmouth | |
| Archer class | HMS Puncher | P291 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Portsmouth | |
| Archer class | HMS Charger | P292 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Liverpool | |
| Archer class | HMS Ranger | P293 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Portsmouth | |
| Archer class | HMS Trumpeter | P294 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Ipswich | |
| Archer class | HMS Express | P163 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Cardiff | |
| Archer class | HMS Example | P165 | 1985 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Gateshead | |
| Archer class | HMS Explorer | P164 | 1986 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Hull | |
| Archer class | HMS Exploit | P167 | 1988 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat, University Royal Naval Units | Portsmouth | |
| Archer class | HMS Tracker | P274 | 1998 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat | Clyde | |
| Archer class | HMS Raider | P275 | 1998 | 54 tonnes | Patrol boat | Clyde | |
| Cutlass class | HMS Cutlass | P295 | 2022 | 35 tonnes | Patrol boat | Gibraltar | |
| Cutlass class | HMS Dagger | P296 | 2022 | 35 tonnes | Patrol boat | Gibraltar | |

## Auxiliary vessels

See also: Ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and vessels operated by Serco Marine Services
RN auxiliary ships :
| Survey ||||||||
| Class | Ship | No. | Commissioned | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| — | HMS Scott | H131 | 1997 | 13,500 tonnes | Ocean survey | Devonport | |
| — | HMS Protector | A173 | 2011 | 5,000 tonnes | Icebreaker & survey | Devonport | |
| Sea class 18 m variant | HMS Magpie | H130 | 2018 | 37 tonnes | Survey motor launch | Devonport | |
| Non-commissioned vessels ||||||||
| Class | Ship | No. | In service | Displacement | Type | Homeport | Note |
| — | XV Patrick Blackett | X01 | 2022 | 270 tonnes | Experimental vessel | Portsmouth | |
| — | Madfox | N/A | 2021 | c. 10 tonnes | Autonomous surface vessel | Portsmouth | |
| Hunt class | Brecon | M29 | 1979 | 750 tonnes | Static Training Ship | HMS Raleigh | |
| Sandown class | Hindostan (ex-Cromer) | M103 | 1992 | 600 tonnes | Static Training Ship | Britannia Royal Naval College | |
| Sea class | 34 vessels: * 8 x 15 m Officer Training Units; * 6 x 15 m Diver Training/Support Boats; * 4 x 15 m Survey/hydrographic Modules; * 3 x 13.8 m Passenger Transfer Boats (PTBs); * 10 x 11 m Standard Workboats; * 3 x 11 m Small Survey Modules | — | 2018 to 2024 | 15 to 23 tonnes | Workboats | — | |
| ALN-139 class | Sea Harrier Buccaneer Sea Vixen Swordfish | — | 2017 | c. 15 - 20 tonnes | Workboats | — | |
| Arcims class | RNMB Hussar | — | 2021 to 2023 | < 10 tonnes (five units); c.10+ tonnes (Hebe) | Autonomous minehunting | Clyde | |
| Arcims class | RNMB Hazard | — | 2021 to 2023 | < 10 tonnes (five units); c.10+ tonnes (Hebe) | Autonomous minehunting | Clyde | |
| Arcims class | RNMB Hebe | — | 2021 to 2023 | < 10 tonnes (five units); c.10+ tonnes (Hebe) | Autonomous minehunting | Clyde | |
| Arcims class | RNMB Halcyon | — | 2021 to 2023 | < 10 tonnes (five units); c.10+ tonnes (Hebe) | Autonomous minehunting | Clyde | |
| Arcims class | RNMB Harrier | — | 2021 to 2023 | < 10 tonnes (five units); c.10+ tonnes (Hebe) | Autonomous minehunting | Clyde | |
| Arcims class | RNMB Hydra | — | 2021 to 2023 | < 10 tonnes (five units); c.10+ tonnes (Hebe) | Autonomous minehunting | Clyde | |
| Thales Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) | RNMB Apollo | N/A | 2021 | < 10 tonnes | Autonomous minehunting | N/A | |
| Thales Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) | RNMB Abdiel | N/A | 2022 | < 10 tonnes | Autonomous minehunting | N/A | |
| Thales Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) | RNMB Ariadne | N/A | 2025 | < 10 tonnes | Autonomous minehunting | N/A | |

## Gallery

* HMS Victory, Flagship of the First Sea Lord
* Vanguard (Vanguard class)
* Ambush (Astute class)
* Queen Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth class)
* Daring (Type 45 destroyer)
* St. Albans (Type 23 frigate)
* Forth (River class)
* Hurworth (Hunt class)
* Ramsey (Sandown class)
* Raider (Archer class)
* Cutlass (Cutlass class)
* Scott
* Protector
* Magpie (Sea class)
* XV Patrick Blackett
* RNMB Harrier (Arcims class)
* Madfox
* Excellent

## Silhouettes

Silhouettes of major fleet units:
* Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier - (R08) & (R09)
* Type 45 or Daring-class destroyer - (D32), (D33), (D34), (D35), (D36) & (D37)
* Type 23 or Duke-class frigate - (F229), (F234), (F239), (F82), (F81), (F78), (F79) & (F83)
* Vanguard-class submarine - (S28), (S29), (S30) & (S31)
* Astute-class submarine - (S119), (S120), (S121), (S122) & (S123)
Silhouettes of all Royal Navy and RFA units: