Protecting our nation's interests

 GUARDIAN AND DIPLOMAT

In times of conflict or peace, the Royal Navy is key to the prosperity of the United Kingdom and the stability of the high seas. Explore our role on the global stage.

Made in the Royal Navy

The Royal Navy isn’t just a job. It’s a whole new life. What could you become? Read our people’s stories – and start your own.

Royal Navy Careers

WHAT WE DO

We help to stabilise the seas, keeping the maritime trade that’s the lifeblood of the UK economy flowing. We act as a guardian and a diplomat, as a humanitarian force for good, and a peacekeeper on the global stage.

LATEST NEWS

Reporting from the fleet and bringing the latest news, features and award-winning photographs from the front-line.

RECENT DEPLOYMENTS

The Royal Navy is active and fully engaged around the world. Our ships, submarines and personnel operate in every ocean and continent, protecting our nation's interests.

Northern Europe and Baltic Sea

Baltic Protector

Baltic Protector marks the first deployment of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Maritime Task Group, with command of the group conducted by HMS Albion. A total of 3,000 military personnel and 17 vessels from nine nations will contribute to the first major maritime training deployment of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in the coming weeks.

FIND OUT MORE

Arctic Circle

Cold Weather Training

Cold Weather Training is a multinational exercise hosted by the Norwegian Armed Forces. This training brings together the Royal Marines, assault ships and other Fleet assets, and the helicopters of the Fleet Air Arm.

FIND OUT MORE

Indian Ocean

Combined Task Force

CTF 150 operates in an area that spans over two million square miles. This covers the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and the Northern Indian Ocean. The Force was created to counter terrorism, prevent smuggling, create a lawful maritime order and conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO) to help develop security in the maritime environment.

FIND OUT MORE

Middle East

Kipion MCMV

In support of wider British efforts in the region, minehunters are providing the capability to conduct route survey, sea-bed clearance, and mine clearance operations all over the Gulf. The operation provides a visible naval presence in a region where stability and good relations with local nations is vital. Much of the UK’s oil and gas, as well as other products, come from the Gulf region and as such these efforts are paramount to our economy.

FIND OUT MORE

Middle East

Kipion

Units of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary have been on patrol in the Gulf since October 1980, after the Iran/Iraq conflict of that year, and more recently operations have extended further south with the increase in piracy off the Somalia coast. 

FIND OUT MORE

Gibraltar

Gibraltar Squadron

Conducting security patrols within British Gibraltar territorial waters, and providing protection to warships.

FIND OUT MORE

Caribbean

Atlantic Patrol Tasking North

The APT(N) task centres on reassurance to UK overseas dependent territories, providing humanitarian and disaster relief during the main hurricane season (June to November) and conducting counter narcotic patrols as part of the wider international effort.

FIND OUT MORE

Undisclosed, Global

Continuous at Sea Deterrent

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD). Since April 1969, and the fifth patrol of HMS Resolution, there has always been a Royal Navy Ballistic Missile Submarine at sea, providing the nation’s deterrent and ensuring the UK remains safe.

FIND OUT MORE

Global

Surveying the Ocean

Hydrographic ships work in a variety of sea areas to gather and process hydrographic and oceanographic data for planning and operational purposes. In addition, this data will be dispatched to the UK Hydrographic Office for analysis and inclusion into navigational charts and other navigational safety publications. The ships also closely monitor other vessels whilst deployed and deterring any potential illegal activity.

North Sea

Standing Nato Maritime Group 1

Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 is a multinational, integrated maritime force - made up of vessels from various allied nations, training and operating together as a single team - that is permanently available to NATO to perform a wide range of tasks, from participating in exercises to crisis response and real world operational missions.

FIND OUR MORE

South Atlantic

Atlantic Patrol Tasking South

Ships and units on Atlantic Patrol Tasking provide ongoing protection and reassurance to British interests in the Atlantic, maintaining the continuous Royal Naval presence in the Atlantic. 

FIND OUT MORE

United States of America

Westlant

Operation Westlant is designed to put the Carrier Strike Group through its paces on the USA Eastern Seaboard.

Find Out More

Fit for tomorrow

The Queen Elizabeth-class Carriers are vital, ambitious icons, a sign to the world that we mean business. 

Learn More

Expertise in extreme environments

The Royal Navy survives – and thrives – in the most extreme environments in the world.

Learn More