Around the UK

The Royal Navy provides a constant presence around the United Kingdom – be it conducting exercises in its typical exercise areas off North-west Scotland, Plymouth and Portsmouth, fishery patrol vessels carrying out their constant patrols, and maintaining the Fleet Ready Escort at permanent readiness.

The escort – a destroyer or frigate – can be ‘scrambled’ to intercept hostile threats.

In addition, divers and minehunters conduct regular surveys of the nation’s harbours to stave off the threat of terrorists striking at key ports.

And there is the islands’ ultimate defence: a Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarine always on patrol.