Standing Royal Navy deployments
Encyclopedia
Although the majority of the United Kingdom
's Royal Navy
fleet, unless required, remains training and exercising in and around Home Waters, the Navy has a number of standing commitments, including those held for contingent operations, to provide ships for various missions around the world:
In 2011 the first deployment of the RFTG, named 'COUGAR 11' occurred. Ships assigned to the task group were the destroyer HMS Liverpool
, the frigate HMS Sutherland
, the landing platform dock HMS Albion
, the amphibious assault ship, HMS Ocean
, nuclear fleet submarine HMS Triumph
, the casualty receiving ship Argus
, the landing ship docks Mounts Bay
and Cardigan Bay
, the replenishment ships Fort Rosalie
and Fort Victoria
and the fast fleet tanker Wave Knight
.
maintained at high-readiness around the UK on short-notice standby for deployment anywhere in the world. The FRE destroyer
or frigate
has rapidly deployed for counter-narcotics operations as far away as the coast of Spain
, embargo operations in the Adriatic Sea
and short-duration training in the Caribbean
, Africa
and the Mediterranean.
SSBN, maintaining the British nuclear deterrent.
, Northern Europe
and Atlantic areas.
fleet and the oil and gas fields in the British areas of the North Sea
.
's contribution to the North Atlantic and Caribbean
areas, intended to protect British interests in the region. The deployment supports counter narcotics
role and can provide humanitarian assistance where required; following the regular hurricanes and tropical storms. It was announced on 6 July 2005 that by the end of 2005, the Atlantic Patrol Task (North) was to be carried out by a single warship
, a frigate or destroyer, only during the higher-risk months from July to October, while a Wave-class Royal Fleet Auxiliary
vessel with an embarked Merlin helicopter would supplement the warship for the duration of the hurricane season from May to November. After 2006, the House of Commons was assured in June 2005, a frigate or destroyer would be on station 12 months of the year. However, RFA Wave Ruler (A390)
is the current Atlantic Patrol Task (North) ship as of June 2011.
to the NATO Response Force
(NRF), part of the Standing NRF Maritime Group 1
in the Atlantic and Standing NRF Maritime Group 2
in the Mediterranean.
and consists of a single warship
accompanied by an RFA
vessel. The patrol is tasked with maintaining the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands
and South Georgia, and supporting the British forces in the South Atlantic
.
was established to ensure the safety of British shipping in the Persian Gulf
and is also responsible for maintaining a British presence in the region. A single warship
and supporting RFA vessels are on-station as part of Operation Oracle another aspect of the UK's contribution to the War on Terror
. The vessels are at-notice for deployments anywhere East-of-Suez.Currently UK Operations in the Gulf are under the United Kingdom Maritime Component Command.
Though the permanent RN presence in the Far East
and Pacific regions has ended, the RN regularly deploys ships for task specific operations or as part of the Five Powers Defence Arrangements (FPDA). A recent deployment was the amphibious deployment "Taurus 09", led by HMS Bulwark
. HMS Richmond will be the next to visit the Pacific region (specifically Singapore for a Five Powers Defence Arrangements exercise.) This is after its operations in the Middle East.
patrol ship is an Offshore Patrol Vessel that is permanently stationed around the islands, as part of the naval element of British forces in the South Atlantic
. The Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship is deployed to the South Atlantic and the British Antarctic Territory
. HMS Clyde
is the permanent Falklands Island Patrol Vessel. She is designed to have her crew replaced periodically and does not need to return to the UK. The ship uses the deepwater naval base
facilities of Mare Harbour
, East Falkland
.
and Combined Task Force 151
. These are to combat terrorism and piracy in the gulf region and the horn of Africa.
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
fleet, unless required, remains training and exercising in and around Home Waters, the Navy has a number of standing commitments, including those held for contingent operations, to provide ships for various missions around the world:
Response Force Task Group
RFTG is a new initiative announced in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review and is intended to be the heart of the UK’s maritime contingent capability, held at very high readiness to respond to unexpected global events. The RFTG will be poised to respond to short-notice tasking across a diverse range of defence activities such as non-combatant evacuation operations, disaster relief, humanitarian aid or amphibious operations.In 2011 the first deployment of the RFTG, named 'COUGAR 11' occurred. Ships assigned to the task group were the destroyer HMS Liverpool
HMS Liverpool (D92)
HMS Liverpool is a Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead and launched on 25 September 1980 by Lady Strathcona, wife of Euan Howard, the then Minister of State for Defence. Liverpool is the last Batch 2 Type 42 in service.-Operational history:Liverpool was...
, the frigate HMS Sutherland
HMS Sutherland (F81)
HMS Sutherland is a Type 23 frigate of the British Royal Navy. She is the thirteenth ship in the Duke class of frigates and is the third ship to bear the name, more than 200 years since the name was last used....
, the landing platform dock HMS Albion
HMS Albion (L14)
HMS Albion is a Landing Platform Dock of the Royal Navy, the first of the two-ship Albion class. Built by BAE Systems Marine in Barrow-in-Furness, Albion was launched in March 2001 by the Princess Royal...
, the amphibious assault ship, HMS Ocean
HMS Ocean (L12)
HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy is an amphibious assault ship , the sole member of her class. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force...
, nuclear fleet submarine HMS Triumph
HMS Triumph (S93)
HMS Triumph is a nuclear submarine of the Royal Navy and was the seventh and final boat of her class.Triumph was laid down in 1987 by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited and launched in February 1991 by Mrs. Ann Hamilton, wife of the then Armed Forces Minister Archie Hamilton...
, the casualty receiving ship Argus
RFA Argus (A135)
RFA Argus is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, part of the Royal Navy. Italian-built, Argus was formerly the container ship MV Contender Bezant. The ship was requisitioned in 1982 for service in the Falklands War and purchased outright in 1984 for use as an Aviation Training Ship, replacing RFA...
, the landing ship docks Mounts Bay
RFA Mounts Bay (L3008)
RFA Mounts Bay is a Bay class auxiliary landing ship dock of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. She is named after Mount's Bay in Cornwall.-Design and construction:...
and Cardigan Bay
RFA Cardigan Bay (L3009)
RFA Cardigan Bay is a Bay-class landing ship dock of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary . Built by BAE Systems, the ship was dedicated into the RFA at the end of 2006. Cardigan Bay is active as of 2011.-Design and construction:...
, the replenishment ships Fort Rosalie
RFA Fort Rosalie (A385)
RFA Fort Rosalie is a fleet stores ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Fort Rosalie was originally named RFA Fort Grange, but was renamed in May 2000 to avoid confusion with RFA Fort George, a change which was not universally popular.-History:Fort Rosalie was laid down in 1973, by Scott Lithgow on...
and Fort Victoria
RFA Fort Victoria (A387)
RFA Fort Victoria is a Fort Class combined fleet stores ship and tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary of the United Kingdom tasked with providing ammunition, fuel, food and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world....
and the fast fleet tanker Wave Knight
RFA Wave Knight (A389)
RFA Wave Knight is a Wave-class fast fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary of the United Kingdom tasked with providing fuel, food, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world....
.
Fleet Ready Escort (FRE)
This is a single warshipWarship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
maintained at high-readiness around the UK on short-notice standby for deployment anywhere in the world. The FRE destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
or frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
has rapidly deployed for counter-narcotics operations as far away as the coast of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, embargo operations in the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
and short-duration training in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and the Mediterranean.
SSBN
The UK normally deploys a Vanguard class submarineVanguard class submarine
The Vanguard class are the Royal Navy's current nuclear ballistic missile submarines , each armed with up to 16 Trident II Submarine-launched ballistic missiles...
SSBN, maintaining the British nuclear deterrent.
Mine Countermeasures Force (MCMFOR)
MCMFOR (Group 1) is a standing commitment to NATO to provide a Mine Countermeasures vessel to the BalticBaltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
, Northern Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Atlantic areas.
Fishery Protection Squadron
The Fishery Protection Squadron protects both the United Kingdom fishingFishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
fleet and the oil and gas fields in the British areas of the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
.
Atlantic Patrol Task (North)
(Formerly known as the West Indies Guard Ship) This is the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's contribution to the North Atlantic and Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
areas, intended to protect British interests in the region. The deployment supports counter narcotics
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
role and can provide humanitarian assistance where required; following the regular hurricanes and tropical storms. It was announced on 6 July 2005 that by the end of 2005, the Atlantic Patrol Task (North) was to be carried out by a single warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
, a frigate or destroyer, only during the higher-risk months from July to October, while a Wave-class Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
vessel with an embarked Merlin helicopter would supplement the warship for the duration of the hurricane season from May to November. After 2006, the House of Commons was assured in June 2005, a frigate or destroyer would be on station 12 months of the year. However, RFA Wave Ruler (A390)
RFA Wave Ruler (A390)
RFA Wave Ruler is a Wave-class fast fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary of the United Kingdom tasked with providing fuel, food, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world....
is the current Atlantic Patrol Task (North) ship as of June 2011.
NATO Response Force
The Royal Navy provides a single warshipWarship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
to the NATO Response Force
NATO Response Force
The NATO Response Force is a "coherent, high-readiness, joint, multinational force package" of up to 25,000 troops that is "technologically advanced, flexible, deployable, interoperable and sustainable"...
(NRF), part of the Standing NRF Maritime Group 1
Standing NRF Maritime Group 1
Standing NATO Maritime Group One is one of NATO's standing maritime Immediate Reaction Forces. Prior to 1 January 2005 it was known as Standing Naval Force Atlantic...
in the Atlantic and Standing NRF Maritime Group 2
Standing NRF Maritime Group 2
Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation standing maritime Immediate Reaction Forces. Prior to 1 January 2005 it was known as Standing Naval Force Mediterranean .SNMG2 is a multinational, integrated maritime force - made up of vessels from various allied nations,...
in the Mediterranean.
Atlantic Patrol Task (South)
This deployment provides a British presence in the South Atlantic and West AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and consists of a single warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
accompanied by an RFA
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
vessel. The patrol is tasked with maintaining the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
and South Georgia, and supporting the British forces in the South Atlantic
Military of the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom and, as such, rely on the UK for guarantee of their security. The other UK territories in the South Atlantic, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, fall under the protection of the British forces on the Falklands ,...
.
East-of-Suez
The Armilla PatrolArmilla patrol
The Armilla patrol is the British Royal Navy's permanent presence in the Persian Gulf.The Royal Navy withdrew its forces from the Persian Gulf in 1971 in line with the UK's general retreat from imperial commitments. However, tensions in the area remained high and Royal Navy ships were still a...
was established to ensure the safety of British shipping in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
and is also responsible for maintaining a British presence in the region. A single warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
and supporting RFA vessels are on-station as part of Operation Oracle another aspect of the UK's contribution to the War on Terror
War on Terror
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
. The vessels are at-notice for deployments anywhere East-of-Suez.Currently UK Operations in the Gulf are under the United Kingdom Maritime Component Command.
Though the permanent RN presence in the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
and Pacific regions has ended, the RN regularly deploys ships for task specific operations or as part of the Five Powers Defence Arrangements (FPDA). A recent deployment was the amphibious deployment "Taurus 09", led by HMS Bulwark
HMS Bulwark (L15)
HMS Bulwark is an , the UK's newest class of amphibious assault warship and built in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. For numerous reasons, delays caused the delivery date to be put back, with the ship entering service in December 2004. Together with Albion, Ocean, and other amphibious ships, she...
. HMS Richmond will be the next to visit the Pacific region (specifically Singapore for a Five Powers Defence Arrangements exercise.) This is after its operations in the Middle East.
Falkland Islands Patrol Task
The Falkland IslandsFalkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
patrol ship is an Offshore Patrol Vessel that is permanently stationed around the islands, as part of the naval element of British forces in the South Atlantic
Military of the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom and, as such, rely on the UK for guarantee of their security. The other UK territories in the South Atlantic, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, fall under the protection of the British forces on the Falklands ,...
. The Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship is deployed to the South Atlantic and the British Antarctic Territory
British Antarctic Territory
The British Antarctic Territory is a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom as one of its 14 British Overseas Territories. It comprises the region south of 60°S latitude and between longitudes and , forming a wedge shape that extends to the South Pole...
. HMS Clyde
HMS Clyde (P257)
HMS Clyde is the ninth ship in the Royal Navy to bear the name. She was launched on 14 June 2006 in Portsmouth Naval Base by VT Group shipbuilders in Portsmouth, England and is the fourth vessel of the River class and the first of a lengthened variety with a larger displacement of 1,850 tonnes and...
is the permanent Falklands Island Patrol Vessel. She is designed to have her crew replaced periodically and does not need to return to the UK. The ship uses the deepwater naval base
Naval base
A naval base is a military base, where warships and naval ships are deployed when they have no mission at sea or want to restock. Usually ships may also perform some minor repairs. Some naval bases are temporary homes to aircraft that usually stay on the ships but are undergoing maintenance while...
facilities of Mare Harbour
Mare Harbour
Mare Harbour Mare Harbour Mare Harbour (Spanish: Puerto Yegua is a small settlement on East Falkland, on Choiseul Sound. It is mostly used as a port facility and depot for RAF Mount Pleasant, as well as a deepwater port used by the Royal Navy ships patrolling the South Atlantic and Antarctica,...
, East Falkland
East Falkland
East Falkland the largest of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, has an area of and a coastline long. Most of the population of the Falklands live in East Falkland, almost all of them living in the northern half of the island...
.
Combined Task Forces
The UK currently contributes to Combined Task Forces (CTF) Combined Task Force 150Combined Task Force 150
Combined Task Force 150 is a multinational coalition naval task force working under the 25 nation coalition of Combined Maritime Forces and is based in Bahrain established to monitor, inspect, board, and stop suspect shipping to pursue the "War on Terrorism" and in the Horn of Africa region ...
and Combined Task Force 151
Combined Task Force 151
Combined Task Force 151 or CTF-151 or Combined Task Force One Five One is an international naval task force, set up in response to piracy attacks in shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia...
. These are to combat terrorism and piracy in the gulf region and the horn of Africa.
Deployments in response to new events
The Royal Navy also deploys some of its naval assets to events such as in support of Operation EllamyOperation Ellamy
Operation Ellamy was the codename for the United Kingdom participation in the 2011 military intervention in Libya. The operation was part of an international coalition aimed at enforcing a Libyan no-fly zone in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 which stipulated...
.