List of active Royal Navy ships explained

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 May 2024, there are 66 commissioned ships in the Royal Navy.

Of the commissioned vessels, nineteen are major surface combatants (two aircraft carriers, six guided missile destroyers, nine frigates and two amphibious transport docks) and ten are nuclear-powered submarines (four ballistic missile submarines and six fleet submarines). In addition the Navy possesses seven mine countermeasures vessels, twenty-six patrol vessels, two survey vessels, one icebreaker and one historic warship, . The total displacement of the Royal Navy's commissioned ships is approximately 830,000 tonnes.

The Royal Navy also includes a number of smaller non-commissioned assets. The naval training vessels and Hindostan can be found based at the Royal Navy stone frigates 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.[1] [2] [3] This class of vessel also incorporates an autonomous minehunting variant (known as the Arcims-class),[4] while another autonomous vessel, Madfox, is employed in varied roles including as a testbed for autonomous combat operations.[5] 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.[6] [7]

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 79 vessels with a total displacement in excess of 752,400 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.[8] [9]

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 in Bahrain.[10] 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.[11]

All ships and submarines currently in commission with the Royal Navy were built in the United Kingdom, with the exceptions of icebreaker which was built in Norway and survey vessel 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.

Submarine service

Submarine service
Strategic
ClassBoatNo.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
S28 1993 15,900 tonnes [13]
S29 1995 [14]
S30 1996 [15]
S31 1999 [16]
Fleet
ClassBoatPennant No.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
S119 2010 7,400 tonnes [17]
S120 2013 [18]
S121 2016 [19]
S122 2021 [20] [21]
S123 2022 [22]
S93 1991 5,300 tonnes[23]

Surface fleet

Surface fleet
Aircraft carriers
ClassShipNo.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
R08 2017 65,000 tonnes [24] [25]
R09 2019 [26]
Amphibious warfare
ClassShipNo.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
L14 2003 19,560 tonnes [27]
L15 2004 [28]
Destroyers
ClassShipNo.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
Type 45 (Daring class)D32 2009 8,500 tonnes [29] [30]
D33 2010 [31]
D34 2011 [32]
D35 2012 [33]
D36 2013 [34]
D37 2013 [35]
Frigates
ClassShipNo.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
Type 23 (Duke class)F229 1992 4,900 tonnes [36]
F234 1993 [37]
F238 1994 [38]
F239 1995 [39]
F82 1996 [40]
F81 1997 [41]
F78 2000 [42] [43]
F79 2001 [44]
F83 2002 [45]
Offshore patrol
ClassShipNo.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
P281 2003 1,700 tonnes [46]
P282 2003 and 2021 [47]
P283 2003 [48]
P222 2018 2,000 tonnes [49]
P223 2019 [50]
P224 2020 [51]
P233 2020 [52]
P234 2021
Mine countermeasures
ClassShipNo.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
M30 1981 750 tonnes [53]
M31 1982 [54]
M33 1983 [55]
M34 1984 [56]
M37 1984 [57]
M39 1985 [58]
M109 2000 600 tonnes Clyde [59]
Coastal & fast patrol
ClassShipNo.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
Archer classP264 1985 54 tonnes Patrol boat, University Royal Naval UnitsEdinburgh[60]
P270 1986 [61]
P272 1988 [62]
P273 1988 Glasgow[63]
P279 1988 [64]
P280 1988 Portsmouth[65]
P291 1988 [66]
P292 1988 Liverpool[67]
P293 1988 [68]
P294 1988 Ipswich[69]
P163 1988 Cardiff[70]
P165 1985 Gateshead[71]
P164 1986 Hull[72]
P167 1988 [73]
P274 1998 Patrol boat[74]
P275 1998 [75]
P295 2022 35 tonnes [76]
P296 [77] [78]

Auxiliary vessels

See also: Ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and vessels operated by Serco Marine Services

RN auxiliary ships
Survey
ClassShipNo.CommissionedDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
—H131 1997 13,500 tonnes Devonport[79]
—A173 2011 5,000 tonnes Icebreaker & survey[80]
Sea class 18 m variantH130 2018 37 tonnes Survey motor launch [81]
Non-commissioned vessels
ClassShipNo.In serviceDisplacement TypeHomeportNote
—X01 2022 270 tonnes Experimental vessel [82]
—Madfox N/A 2021 c. 10 tonnes [83]
BreconM29 1979 750 tonnesStatic Training Ship[84]
Hindostan (ex-Cromer)M103 1992600 tonnes[85]
Sea class34 vessels:[86]
* 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 — [87] [88]
ALN-139 classSea Harrier
Buccaneer
Sea Vixen
Swordfish 		— 2017 c. 15 - 20 tonnes— [89]
Arcims classRNMB Hussar —2021 to 2023< 10 tonnes (five units); c.10+ tonnes (Hebe)[90] [91] Autonomous minehuntingClyde[92] [93] [94] [95]
RNMB Hazard
RNMB Hebe
RNMB Halcyon
RNMB Harrier
RNMB Hydra
—RNMB Apollo
RNMB Abdiel 		N/A 2021-22 < 10 tonnes N/A [96] [97] [98]

Silhouettes

Silhouettes of major fleet units:Silhouettes of all Royal Navy and RFA units:

See also

Lists of ships operated by or in support of His Majesty's Naval Service
Related articles

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: In focus: the versatile new workboats being built for the Royal Navy . 11 March 2023 . Navy Lookout . 6 August 2018.
  2. Book: Bush, Steve . British Warships and Auxiliaries . 2014 . Maritime Books . 119 . 978-1-904459552.
  3. Web site: New lease of life for BRNC boats . 29 June 2017 . Royal Navy . 11 July 2017.
  4. Web site: Autonomous systems - the future of royal navy mine warfare . NavyLookout .
  5. News: Royal Navy launches missile from autonomous vessel in NATO exercise . 27 May 2023 . Royal Navy . 14 October 2021.
  6. News: Royal Navy Launched Its First ‘Crewless Pacific 24 Boat’ USV . 28 May 2023 . Naval News . 24 June 2020.
  7. https://www.geostrategy.org.uk/research/why-britain-needs-a-larger-navy/
  8. Web site: Outsourcing giant Serco marks 25 years working with Royal Navy. 12 August 2021 . BusinessLive . 30 April 2023.
  9. Web site: Vessel Management . Serco Marine Services . 20 June 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714204552/http://www.sercomarine.com/our-services/defence/vessel-management/index.aspx . 14 July 2014.
  10. Web site: Navy's new Gulf home almost ready for first sailors . Royal Navy . en . 2020-04-23.
  11. News: Allison . George . British Littoral Response Group ships to be based in Oman . 23 September 2021 . . 30 July 2021.
  12. News: The Queen commissions the Royal Navy's newest aircraft carrier - HMS Queen Elizabeth . Farmer . Ben . 7 December 2017 . . 8 December 2017.
  13. Web site: HMS Vanguard . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  14. Web site: HMS Victorious . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  15. Web site: HMS Vigilant . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  16. Web site: HMS Vengeance . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  17. Web site: HMS Astute . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  18. Web site: HMS Ambush . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  19. Web site: HMS Artful . Royal Navy . 18 March 2016.
  20. Web site: HMS Audacious . UK Parliament . 11 May 2020.
  21. Navy Lookout . NavyLookout . 1441045726688157702 . 23 September 2021 . HMS Audacious commissioned in Faslane today. https://t.co/CiEgVDE7Er . en . 14 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924151315/https://twitter.com/navylookout/status/1441045726688157702 . 24 September 2021 . live.
  22. Web site: Boris Johnson visits BAE Systems in Barrow . Lucy . Edwards . 31 August 2022 . CumbriaCrack.
  23. Web site: HMS Triumph . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  24. Web site: Aircraft Carriers - Future Flagships . Royal Navy . 7 December 2017.
  25. Web site: HMS Queen Elizabeth . Royal Navy . 12 January 2018.
  26. News: . Commissioning day for HMS Prince of Wales . Royal Navy . Portsmouth . 10 December 2019 . 10 December 2019.
  27. Web site: HMS Albion . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  28. Web site: HMS Bulwark . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  29. Web site: HMS Daring . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  30. Web site: A return to the old routine for 14 dock . 24 June 2020 . Royal Navy.
  31. Web site: HMS Dauntless . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  32. Web site: HMS Diamond . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  33. Web site: HMS Dragon . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  34. Web site: HMS Defender . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  35. Web site: HMS Duncan . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  36. Web site: HMS Lancaster . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  37. Web site: HMS Iron Duke . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015 . 28 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150428121256/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/frigates/hms-iron-duke . dead .
  38. Web site: HMS Northumberland . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  39. Web site: HMS Richmond . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  40. Web site: HMS Somerset . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  41. Web site: HMS Sutherland . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  42. Web site: HMS Kent . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  43. Web site: 27 April 2021. FOI(A) regarding the Royal Navy. 1 June 2023. What do they know?.
  44. Web site: HMS Portland . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  45. Web site: HMS St Albans . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  46. Web site: HMS Tyne . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  47. News: . HMS Severn Re-Commissioned Into Royal Navy After Nearly Three Years . Forces News . 1 July 2020 . 7 July 2020 .
  48. News: HMS Tyne returns to service after being paid off in May . 31 July 2018 . Save the Royal Navy . 1 August 2018 . en-GB.
  49. Web site: HMS Forth . Royal Navy . 6 April 2018.
  50. Web site: HMS Medway . Royal Navy . 19 September 2019.
  51. News: . HMS Trent Commissioned Into Royal Navy In Portsmouth . Forces News . Portsmouth . 3 August 2020 . 3 August 2020 .
  52. News: . HMS Tamar Raises Her Flag On Her Own River . Royal Navy . River Tamar . 4 June 2020 . 5 June 2020.
  53. Web site: HMS Ledbury . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  54. Web site: HMS Cattistock . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  55. Web site: HMS Brocklesby . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  56. Web site: HMS Middleton . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  57. Web site: HMS Chiddingfold . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  58. Web site: HMS Hurworth . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  59. Web site: HMS Bangor . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  60. Web site: HMS Archer . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  61. Web site: HMS Biter . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  62. Web site: HMS Smiter . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  63. Web site: HMS Pursuer (P273) | Royal Navy.
  64. Web site: HMS Blazer . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  65. Web site: HMS Dasher (P280) | Royal Navy.
  66. Web site: HMS Puncher . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  67. Web site: HMS Charger . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  68. Web site: HMS Ranger . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  69. Web site: HMS Trumpeter . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  70. Web site: HMS Express . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  71. Web site: HMS Example . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  72. Web site: HMS Explorer . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  73. Web site: HMS Exploit . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  74. Web site: HMS Tracker . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  75. Web site: HMS Raider . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  76. Today HMS Cutlass was officially commissioned at @RNGibSqn . MODGibraltar . 1521809551053438976 . 4 May 2022 . 7 May 2022.
  77. Navy Lookout . NavyLookout . 1536311869526646784 . 13 June 2022 . Newly commissioned HMS Dagger keeps an eye on Spanish frigate Blas de Lezo....
  78. Web site: UK Royal Navy receives patrol boat HMS Dagger . 4 April 2022 . Naval Technology.com.
  79. Web site: HMS Scott . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  80. Web site: HMS Protector . Royal Navy . 22 April 2015.
  81. Web site: HMS Magpie . Royal Navy . 29 June 2018.
  82. News: Debut for UK Royal Navy's new experimental vessel . 1 August 2022 . . 29 July 2022.
  83. News: Maritime Demonstrator for Operational eXperimentation (MADFOX) Uncrewed Surface Vessel, UK . 27 May 2023 . Naval Technology . 21 October 2021.
  84. Web site: HMS Raleigh Training Establishment . Royal Navy . 7 June 2014.
  85. Web site: Future of minehunting sails into Dartmouth | Royal Navy.
  86. Web site: Final Vahana Workboats delivered to complete Royal Navy fleet . Ministry of Defence . 19 July 2024.
  87. News: ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK SEA Class – Delivering an Innovative, Flexible, Cost-effective Solution to the UK MOD . 11 March 2023 . thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com .
  88. News: The final of six new boats to improve support to Royal Navy divers has been delivered . 3 July 2023 . Royal Navy . 23 February 2023.
  89. Web site: Passenger Transfer Boats for HMS Prince of Wales to be delivered this year . Navy Lookout . 15 July 2021.
  90. Web site: Royal Navy Fleet Poster p.21 . February 2023 . Navy News . 13 June 2023.
  91. Web site: Up close with RFA Stirling Castle – first of the navy’s new motherships . Navy Lookout . 4 July 2023.
  92. Web site: Autonomous systems – the future of Royal Navy mine warfare | Navy Lookout. 26 May 2021. www.navylookout.com.
  93. Web site: Future mine hunting system comes to Clyde | Royal Navy.
  94. Web site: ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK TO DELIVER A FURTHER AUTONOMOUS MINEHUNTING SYSTEM TO THE ROYAL NAVY . Atlas Elektronik . 1 February 2022.
  95. Web site: Royal Navy autonomous mine hunting at the sharp end . Navy Lookout . 30 March 2023.
  96. Web site: Thales' Uncrewed Surface Vessel passes a significant milestone in Automomous minehunting trials . Thales . 14 June 2023.
  97. Web site: Thales-Supplied USV Successfully Completes RN Assurance Trials . European Security and Defence . Felstead . Peter. 15 June 2023.
  98. Web site: Beating the Minefield with Autonomous Countermeasures . issuu.com . Fish . Tim . December 2022.

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