Royal Navy

Logo

127 Commissioned Ships

15 Royal Fleet Auxiliary

260 Aircraft

23 submarines

5 amphibious transport docks,

9 destroyers,

20 frigates

20 mine-countermeasure vessels

29 patrol vessels.

5 survey ships

1 ice patrol ship

## Insignia

White Ensign

Naval Jack

Pennant

The **Royal Navy** (**RN**) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against the France. The modern Royal Navy traces its origins to the early 16th century; the oldest of the UK's armed services, it is consequently known as the **Senior Service**.

From the middle decades of the 17th century, and through the 18th century, the Royal Navy vied with the Dutch Navy and later with the French Navy for maritime supremacy. From the mid 18th century, it was the world's most powerful navy until the Second World War. The Royal Navy played a key part in establishing and defending the British Empire. Due to this historical prominence, it is common, even among non-Britons, to refer to it as "the Royal Navy" without qualification. Following World War I, it was significantly reduced in size, although at the onset of World War II it was still the world's largest. During the Cold War, the Royal Navy transformed into a primarily anti-submarine force, hunting for Soviet submarines and mostly active in the GIUK gap. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, its focus has returned to expeditionary operations around the world and it remains one of the world's foremost blue-water navies. However, 21st-century reductions in naval spending have led to a personnel shortage and a reduction in the number of warships.

The Royal Navy maintains a fleet of technologically sophisticated ships, submarines, and aircraft, including 5 aircraft carriers, 5 amphibious transport docks, 8 ballistic missile submarines (which maintain the nuclear deterrent), 15 nuclear fleet submarines, 9 guided missile destroyers, 20 frigates, 23 mine-countermeasure vessels and 35 patrol vessels. As of June 2021, there are 130 operational commissioned ships (including submarines as well as one historic ship, HMS *Victory*) in the Royal Navy, plus 15 ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA); there are also five Merchant Navy ships available to the RFA under a private finance initiative. The RFA replenishes Royal Navy warships at sea, and augments the Royal Navy's amphibious warfare capabilities through its 5 Bay-class landing ship vessels. It also works as a force multiplier for the Royal Navy, often doing patrols that frigates used to do.

## Naval Strength

### **Personnel**

HMS *Raleigh* at Torpoint, Cornwall is the basic training facility for newly enlisted ratings. Britannia Royal Naval College is the initial officer training establishment for the navy, located at Dartmouth, Devon. Personnel are divided into a warfare branch, which includes Warfare Officers and Naval Aviators,as well other branches including the Royal Naval Engineers, Royal Navy Medical Branch, and Logistics Officers. Present-day officers and ratings have several different uniforms; some are designed to be worn aboard ship, others ashore or in ceremonial duties. Women began to join the Royal Navy in 1917 with the formation of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS), which was disbanded after the end of the First World War in 1919. It was revived in 1939, and the WRNS continued until disbandment in 1993, as a result of the decision to fully integrate women into the structures of the Royal Navy. Women now serve in all sections of the Royal Navy including the Royal Marines.

### **Surface Fleet**

#### **Amphibious Warfare**

Amphibious warfare ships in current service include 5 landing platform docks, including the two Albion-class LPDs (HMS *Albion* and HMS *Bulwark*) as well as the three recently commissioned Britannia-class LPDs ( HMS Britannia, HMS Rampart, HMS Bastion ) While their primary role is to conduct amphibious warfare, they have also been deployed for humanitarian aid missions.

#### **Aircraft Carriers**

The Royal Navy has two *Queen Elizabeth*-class aircraft carriers. Each carrier cost £3 billion and displaces 65,000 tonnes (64,000 long tons; 72,000 short tons). The first, HMS *Queen Elizabeth*, commenced flight trials in 2018, began sea trials in June 2017, was commissioned later that year, and entered service in 2020. While the second, HMS *Prince of Wales*, began sea trials on 22 September 2019, was commissioned in December 2019 and entered service in 2023. The older carriers are a part of The Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group.

After King William took his place as the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, three "King William-class" aircraft carriers were designed and improved over several years. Building of carriers finished in 2035, they were tested in 2037, commissioned that year, and put into service as of 2039, just in time for the beginning of WWIII. These carriers were designed as the most technologically advanced naval vessels in the Royal Navy, with enormous size, yet maneuverability like no other. They were named in order, HMS *King William*, HMS *Prince of Cambridge* ( Named after King William's eldest son. ), and HMS *Queen Catherine* ( named after King William's wife, the Queen Consort Catherine. )

#### **Escort Fleet**

The escort fleet comprises guided missile destroyers and frigates and is the traditional workhorse of the Navy. As of January 2045 there are 9 Type-84 destroyers and 20 Type-33 frigates in active service. Among their primary roles is to provide escort for the larger capital ships—protecting them from air, surface and subsurface threats. Other duties include undertaking the Royal Navy's standing deployments across the globe, which often consists of: counter-narcotics, anti-piracy missions and providing humanitarian aid.

The Type-84 is primarily designed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare and the Royal Navy describe the destroyer's mission as "to shield the Fleet from air attack". They are equipped with the PAAMS II (also known as Sea Basilisk) integrated anti-aircraft warfare system.

20 Type-33 frigates were delivered to the Royal Navy and commissioned in January 2035. The well designed frigates are known for a well balanced ratio of speed and firepower.

#### **Mine Countermeasure Vessels ( MCMVs )**

There is one class of MCMVs in the Royal Navy: 20 Seeker-class mine countermeasure vessels. The Seeker-class vessel combines the separate role of traditional minesweeper with the active minehunter in one hull. If required, Seeker-class vessels can take on the role of offshore patrol vessels.

#### **Offshore Patrol Vessels ( OPVs )**

Five Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessels entered service between 2018 and 2021. These have Merlin-capable flight decks. No newer model vessels have been put in place due to the lack of need for a whole new vessel focused on offshore patrol.

#### **Ocean Survey Ships**

HMS *Protector* is a dedicated Antarctic patrol ship that fulfils the nation's mandate to provide support to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). HMS *Scott* is an ocean survey vessel and at 13,500 tonnes is one of the largest ships in the Navy. The other survey vessels of the Royal Navy are the two multi-role ships of the *Echo* class, which came into service in 2002 and 2003. As of 2018, the newly commissioned HMS *Magpie* also undertakes survey duties at sea. No new vessels have been designed and put into service due to the lack of needed improvement.

#### **Royal Fleet Auxillary**

he Navy's large fleet units are supported by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary which possesses three amphibious transport docks within its operational craft. These are known as the Gulf-class landing ships, of which five were introduced in 2035-2037.

### **Submarine Service**

The Submarine Service is the submarine based element of the Royal Navy. It is sometimes referred to as the "*Silent Service*", as the submarines are generally required to operate undetected. Founded in 1901, the service made history in 1982 when, during the Falklands War, HMS *Conqueror* became the first nuclear-powered submarine to sink a surface ship, ARA *General Belgrano*. Today, all of the Royal Navy's submarines are nuclear-powered.

#### **Ballistic Missile Submarines ( SSBN )**

The Royal Navy operates eight Defender-class SSBNs

#### **Fleet Submarines (SSN)**

Fifteen fleet submarines are presently in service , 10 Taranto-class and 5 Nimble-class.

#### **Fleet Air Arm**

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is the branch of the Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft, it can trace its roots back to 1912 and the formation of the Royal Flying Corps.

Pilots designated for rotary wing service train under No. 1 Flying Training School (1 FTS) at RAF Shawbury

## Naval Bases

The Royal Navy currently uses three major naval port bases in the UK, each housing its own flotilla of ships and boats ready for service, along with two naval air stations and a support facility base in Bahrain:

#### **Bases in the United Kingdom**

* HMNB Devonport - This is currently in the UK, largest operational naval base in Western Europe. Devonport's flotilla consists of the RN's five amphibious assault vessels. ( Albion-class HMS Albion and Bulwark, as well as Brittania-class HMS Brittania, Rampart, and Bastion. ) and half the fleet of Type-33 frigates.
* HMNB Portsmouth - This is home to the Queen Elizabeth-Class super-carriers, as well as the King William-Class super-carriers. Portsmouth is also the home to the Type-84 Destroyers and a moderate fleet of Type 33 frigates.
* HMNB Clyde - This is situated in Central Scotland along the River Clyde. Faslane is known as the home of the UK's nuclear deterrent, as it maintains the fleet of Defender-class ballistic missile (SSBN) submarines, as well as the fleet of Nimble-class fleet (SSN) submarines. Faslane is the home of the entire RN Submarine Service.
* RNAS Yeovilton -
* RNAS Culdrose - Culdrose is also currently the largest helicopter base in Europe

### **Bases abroad**

* HMS *Jufair* – The home port for vessels deployed in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Indian Ocean, and acts as the hub of the Royal Navy's operations in that area. Vessels based there include the 9th Mine Countermeasures Squadron.
* UK Joint Logistics Support Base (Oman) – A logistical support facility which is strategically located in the Middle East but outside the Persian Gulf.
* British Defense Singapore Support Unit (Singapore) – A remnant of HMNB Singapore which repairs and resupplies Royal Navy ships in the Asia Pacific.
* Gibdock – A former Royal Navy dockyard in Gibraltar which is still used for docking, repairs, training and resupply.

## Current deployments

A large portion of the RN is deployed at the British Defense Singapore Support Unit, and patrolling the area around Hong-Kong, prepared for anymore hostilities during the ongoing war.

## Ranks and Insignia

### **Royal Navy Officer Rank**

#### Admiral of the Fleet (OF-10)

**Admiral of the Fleet** (**Adm of the Fleet**) is a five-star flag officer rank with the NATO code OF-10. It is the highest rank in the Royal Navy, and the rank given to the First Sea Lord. The Admiral of the Fleet is the leader of the entire royal fleet across the globe.

#### Admiral (OF-9)

**Admiral** (**Adm**) is a four-star flag officer rank with the NATO rank code OF-9. It is superior to vice-admiral and subordinate to the admiral of the fleet. They are usually in command of a naval division, also known as a naval theatre. One Admiral can also be put in place as the Second Sea Lord.

#### Vice-Admiral (OF-8)

**Vice-admiral** (**VAdm**) is a three-star flag officer rank with the NATO rank code OF-8. It is immediately superior to rear admiral and subordinate to full admiral. They usually command a fleet. They can also fill out the 6 available staff-posts in the office of the First and Second Sea Lord.

#### Rear-Admiral (OF-7)

**Rear admiral** (**RAdm**) is a two-star flag officer rank of the Royal Navy. It is immediately superior to commodore and is subordinate to vice admiral. It is has a NATO ranking code of OF-7. They are usually in charge of a strike-group, but can also fill the 6 available staff-posts in the office of the First and Second Sea Lord along with Vice-Admirals.

#### Commodore (OF-6)

**Commodore** (**Cdre**) is a one-star rank of the Royal Navy above captain and below rear admiral. It has the NATO code of OF-6. They are usually in command of a squadron, or in charge of a

#### Captain (OF-5)

**Captain** (**Capt**) is a senior officer rank of the Royal Navy. It ranks above commander and below commodore and has a NATO ranking code of OF-5. Captains are usually in command of larger naval ships, such as aircraft and helicopter carriers, light cruisers, and occasionally destroyers.

#### Commander (OF-4)

**Commander** (**Cdr**) is a senior officer rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It is immediately junior to captain and immediately senior to the rank of lieutenant commander. They command ships too small to be commanded by a Captain, but too large to be commanded by a Lieutenant. These ships would include destroyers, frigates, and patrol boats.

#### Lieutenant Commander (OF-3)

**Lieutenant Commander** ( **Lt Cdr**) is a senior officer rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It is immediately junior to commander and immediately senior to the naval rank of lieutenant. They are usually the senior officer of a naval department , or the second-in-command of a ship. They are also senior department officers in naval aviation squadrons. On occasion, a lieutenant commander may be appointed the "captain" of a small ship such as a patrol boat.

#### Lieutenant (OF-2)

**Lieutenant** ( **Lt** ) is a officer rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, it is immediately junior to lieutenant commander and immediately senior to sub-lieutenant. Lieutenants are appointed as the second-in-command of a department.

#### Sub-Lieutenant (OF-1)

**Sub-lieutenant** is a junior officer rank in the Royal Navy. It is a naval commissioned or subordinate officer rank, ranking below a lieutenant. Sub-Lieutenants are usually seen as the "trainee" officer, despite not being naval academy cadets.

### **Royal Navy Other Ranks**

#### Chief Petty Officer (OR-7)

**Chief Petty Officer** (**CPO**) is a senior non-commissioned officer in the Royal Navy. It is superior to a petty officer, and considered the role model of the personnel around them. They are expected to keep good discipline and keep order and regularity.

#### Petty Officer (OR-6/OR-5)

**Petty Officer** (**PO**) is a junior non-commissioned officer in the Royal Navy. It is superior to a leading rating and subordinate to a chief petty officer. They are similar in role to a CPO, but are given less responsibilities.

#### Leading Rating (OR-4)

**Leading Rating** (**LH**) is the most senior of junior ranks in the Royal Navy. It is superior to the able rating, and subordinate to petty officer. They are considered "decorated ratings." They are given slightly more responsibility than able ratings, and expected to be direct role models for them.

#### Able Rating (OR-2)

**Able Rating** (**AB**) is the standard personnel rank in the Royal Navy. They are expected to fulfill their responsibilities and report to their superiors properly.