This is a list of active Royal Navy ships, complete and correct as of 25 February, 2011.

In total there are 80 commissioned ships in the navy, including 3 which are permanently stationed, but not including one destroyer which has been delivered to the navy but not formally commissioned yet. 21 of the commissioned vessels are major fleet escorts (6 guided missile destroyers and 15 frigates) and 11 are nuclear powered submarines (4 ballistic missile submarines and 7 fleet submarines). In addition the Navy possesses an aircraft carrier, a helicopter carrier and 2 landing platform docks.

The 22 ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are not included in this list or above figures; additionally there are the minor vessels (tugs, etc) of the (now privatised) Marine Services.

Large fleet units – amphibious and carriers

Two Queen Elizabeth class supercarriers have been ordered and are to be a new generation of aircraft carrier to replace the three Invincible-class aircraft carriers. The two vessels are expected to cost £3.9 billion, will displace 65,000 tons and, although as of 2010 somewhat delayed, are planned to enter service from around 2016. The initial decision was that both would operate the STOVL variant of the F-35 Lightning II, however following the Strategic Defence and Security Review ordered by the Coalition Government in June 2010, it was announced that the first of the carriers will be fitted with catapults to operate the F-35C CTOL carrier variant. The second carrier will placed in extended readiness after its introduction to service. This leaves open the options to rotate them, to ensure a continuous UK carrier-strike capability; to re-generate more quickly a two-carrier strike capability, or to sell one of the carriers which would result in the UK to relying on cooperation with a close ally to provide continuous carrier-strike capability. In addition to this, a dedicated helicopter carrier, HMS Ocean, complements the aircraft carrier force.

The introduction of the four vessels of the Bay class of landing ship dock into the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2006 and 2007, and the two Albion-class landing platform docks gave the Royal Navy a significantly enhanced amphibious capability. In November 2006 First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band said, "These ships represent a major uplift in the Royal Navy's war fighting capability."

Escort units

The escort fleet, in the form of frigates and destroyers, is the traditional workhorse of the Navy, and is also being updated. The 2010 fleet of five Type 42 destroyers are to be replaced with the much larger Type 45 destroyer class.

Six Type 45 destroyers are planned, of which 2 are in service, 1 is waiting to enter service and 3 are under construction as of 2010. Under the terms of the original contract the Navy was to order twelve vessels, but only the six will be constructed. The main role of the Type 45 destroyer is anti-air warfare; in order to fulfil this role, it will be equipped with the Sea Viper (formerly known as PAAMS) integrated anti-aircraft system which will fire Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles. The Type 45 will operate the highly sophisticated Sampson radar system that will be fully integrated into the PAAMS system. but have little anti-ship capability.

As soon as possible after 2020 the Type 23 will be replaced by Type 26 frigates, designed to be easily adapted to change roles and capabilities depending on the strategic circumstances".

The last frigate to enter service was the Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans in 2002. On 21 July 2004, in the Delivering Security in a Changing World review of defence spending, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced that three frigates of the fleet of sixteen would be paid off as part of a continuous cost-cutting strategy and were sold to Chile. Several designs have been created for a new generation frigate such as the Future Surface Combatant, which is now known as the Type 26 frigate. The Strategic Defence and Security Review of October 2010 stated "As soon as possible after 2020 the Type 23 will be replaced by Type 26 frigates, designed to be easily adapted to change roles and capabilities depending on the strategic circumstances". It proposed a surface fleet of 19 frigates and destroyers; there are 6 Type 45 destroyers in the fleet. It was announced in December 2010 that the remaining fleet of four batch 3 Type 22 frigates will be withdrawn from service by the end of April 2011.

Submarines

Seven Astute class nuclear submarines are planned, with the first in service, three under construction, the fifth ordered, and the procurement process started for the sixth. The first, HMS Astute entered service in August 2010. These submarines are much larger than their predecessors, the Trafalgar class and are expected to displace 7,800 tons submerged. Six Trafalgar-class nuclear submarines are currently in service. In December 2006, plans were unveiled for a new class of four ballistic missile submarines to replace the Vanguard-class submarine, which is due to be replaced by 2024. This new class will mean that the United Kingdom will maintain a nuclear ballistic missile submarine fleet and the ability to launch nuclear weapons.

Other vessels

At the beginning of the 1990s the Royal Navy had two classes of Offshore Patrol vessel, the Island class, and the larger Castle class. However, in 1997 a decision was taken to replace them. An order for three much larger offshore patrol vessels, the River class was placed in 2001. Unusually, the three River-class ships are owned by Vosper Thorneycroft, and leased to the Royal Navy until 2013. This relationship is defined by a ground-breaking Contractor Logistic Support contract which contracts the ships' availability to the RN, including technical and stores support. A modified River-class vessel, HMS Clyde, was commissioned in July 2007 and became the Falkland Islands guardship. The Royal Navy also has the Sandown-class minehunter and the Hunt-class mine countermeasure vessel. The Hunt class of 8 vessels are mine countermeasure vessels that combine the separate role of the traditional minesweeper and that of the active minehunter in one hull. If required, they can take on the role of offshore patrol vessels. The Royal Navy has a mandate to provide support to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), which comes in the form of the dedicated Antarctic Patrol Ship HMS Endurance. The four Hecla-class vessels were replaced by the survey vessel HMS Scott which surveys the deep ocean. 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.

Present-day Royal Navy officers uniforms and ratings have several different uniforms; some are blue, others are white.

Royal Navy Officers Uniform

Ceremonial Day Dress

This is worn only by Admirals and Vice Admirals along with members of the Royal Family and consists of a tailcoat with white facing and gold edging worn with gold shoulder boards, black and gold belt and gold laced black trousers. It is worn at parades such as Lord High Admiral's Divisions (BRNC) or at state occasions. An example of such dress is from Lord High Admiral's divisions 2009.

Blue No. 1 dress

This is the formal uniform worn on ceremonial occasions. For officers it consists of a double-breasted, navy blue jacket; matching trousers; white shirt and black tie; peaked cap; and black leather shoes. It is divided into 1A (with medals and bearing arms), 1B (same as 1A, but without arms), and 1C (with medal ribbons). Female personnel may wear skirts except when carrying a sword or rifle.

Blue No. 2 dress

This mess dress is worn in the evenings for dining. 2A is the formal evening dress for ceremonial dinners; it consists of "ball dress with [a] white waistcoat (cummerbund for female officers) with miniature medals." 2B is "mess undress" for other mess functions, and is worn with either a cummerbund or black waistcoat and miniature medals. 2C, "red sea rig", is worn for informal evening wear on board ship; it consists of a white short sleeved shirt, with tropical boards, and a cummerbund.

Blue No. 3 dress

This is worn all year round for general duties; it consists of a white shirt with rank insignia on the shoulders, and appropriate headgear. For officers 3A dress includes a long-sleeved shirt and tie, while 3B includes a short-sleeved shirt without the tie.

No. 4 and No. 5 dress

These are specialist working uniforms. No. 4 is IAWD (Improved Action Working Dress) with flame retardant properties. They are worn as required for duties.

White No.1 dress

In the Tropics, officers wear on ceremonial occasions a short sleeved white tunic with an open collar; matching trousers; peaked cap; and white leather shoes.

White No.2 and No.3 dress

There are also white No. 2 and No. 3 dress which fulfil the same functions as their blue equivalents. Some white uniforms include shorts.

Royal Navy Ratings

Blue No. 1 dress

This is the formal uniform worn on ceremonial occasions. For ratings it is a traditional navy blue sailor suit. It is divided into 1A (with medals and bearing arms), 1B (same as 1A, but without arms), and 1C (with medal ribbons). Female personnel may wear skirts except when carrying a sword or rifle.

Blue No. 2 dress

This mess dress is worn in the evenings for dining. 2A is the formal evening dress for ceremonial dinners worn a white waistcoat and miniature medals." 2B is "mess undress" for other mess functions, and is worn with a cummerbund and miniature medals. 2C, "red sea rig", is worn for informal evening wear on board ship.

No. 4 and No. 5 dress

These are specialist working uniforms. No. 4 is IAWD (Improved Action Working Dress) with flame retardant properties. They are worn as required for duties.

White No.1 dress

In the Tropics this is the uniform worn on ceremonial occasions. For ratings it is a white version of the traditional sailor's suit.

White No.2 and No.3 dress

There are also white No. 2 and No. 3 dress which fulfil the same functions as their blue equivalents. Some white uniforms include shorts.

Royal Navy Officer Rank Insignia:

NATO Code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7
United Kingdom
	Admiral of the Fleet1	Admiral	Vice Admiral	Rear Admiral
Abbreviation	Adm of the Fleet	Adm	VAdm	RAdm

NATO Code	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3
United Kingdom
	Commodore	Captain	Commander	Lieutenant- Commander
Abbreviation	Cdre	Capt	Cdr	Lt Cdr

NATO Code	OF-2	OF-1		OF(D)	Student Officer
United Kingdom
	Lieutenant	Sub- Lieutenant		Midshipman	Officer Cadet
Abbreviation	Lt	SLt or S/Lt		Mid	OC

Royal Navy ratings rank insignia:

NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6
Royal Navy
	Warrant Officer Class 1						Warrant Officer Class 2		Chief Petty Officer		Petty Officer
Abbreviation	WO1						WO2		CPO		PO
United Kingdom (Royal Marines)
	Warrant Officer Class 1						Warrant Officer Class 2		Colour Sergeant		Sergeant
Abbreviation	WO1						WO2		CSgt		Sgt

NATO Code					OR-5			OR-4		OR-3		OR-2		OR-1
Royal Navy					No equivalent					No equivalent				No equivalent
								Leading Rate				Able Seaman	Ordinary Seaman
Abbreviation								LH				AB	ORD
United Kingdom (Royal Marines)					No equivalent							No insignia		No equivalent
								Corporal		Lance Corporal		Marine
Abbreviation								Cpl		L/Cpl		Mne

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The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, founded in the 16th century, is the oldest of HM Armed Forces (and is therefore known as the Senior Service). From the 17th century until well into the 20th century it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the second third of the 20th century. In World War II the Royal Navy operated almost 900 ships. During the Cold War it was transformed into a primarily anti-submarine force, hunting for Soviet submarines, mostly active in the GIUK gap. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, its role for the 21st century has returned to focus on global expeditionary operations.

The Royal Navy is a blue-water navy and the second-largest navy of the NATO alliance, in terms of the combined displacement (approx. 450,000 long tons (460,000 t) (950,000 long tons (970,000 t) including the Royal Fleet Auxiliary) after the United States Navy. February 2011 there were 81 commissioned ships in the Royal Navy, including helicopter carriers, landing platform docks, ballistic missile submarines, nuclear fleet submarines, guided missile destroyers, frigates, mine counter-measures and patrol vessels. 16 vessels of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) also contribute to the Royal Navy's order-of-battle. The Royal Navy's ability to project power globally is considered second only to the U.S. Navy. The Royal Navy maintains the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons.

The Royal Navy is a constituent component of the Naval Service, which also comprises the Royal Marines, Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marines Reserve. As of February 2011 the Royal Navy numbered approximately 38,190 Regulars and 3,600 Navy Volunteers. In addition, there were 19,560 Regular Reserves.

The Royal Navy is also supported by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, a civilian logistical support fleet which is owned and operated by the Ministry of Defence as part of the British Merchant Navy. The RFA primarily serves to replenish Royal Navy warships at sea, but also augments the Royal Navy's amphibious warfare capabilities through its three Bay-class LSDs (Landing Ship Dock).

Royal Navy
Naval Ensign
Active	16th century - present
Country	Kingdom of England (to 1707) Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800) United Kingdom (1801–present)
Allegiance	Queen Elizabeth II
Type	Navy
Size	Available manpower; 38,190 Regulars 3,600 Navy Volunteers Reserve manpower; 19,560 Regular Reserve 103 ships including RFA 131 Landing craft 200 aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm
Part of	British Armed Forces
Naval Staff Offices	Ministry of Defence Main Building, Whitehall
Motto	Latin: Si vis pacem, para bellum If you wish for peace, prepare for war
Colours	Red and White
March	"Heart of Oak"
Commanders
First Sea Lord	Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope
Aircraft flown
Attack	Lynx
Patrol	Merlin, Lynx, Sea King ASaC.7
Trainer	Tutor, Hawk, Jetstream, Firefly
Transport	Sea King