Royal Navy

The United Kingdom’s naval warfare service conducts maritime defense and operations at sea. It operates warships, submarines, aircraft, and supporting forces.

Aircraft carrier: A warship designed to operate aircraft at sea. Carriers let the Royal Navy project air power far from land bases.
Battle of Sluys: A 1340 naval battle in which the English fleet defeated a French fleet near Flanders. The victory became an early landmark in the development of English sea power.
Continuous At-Sea Deterrent: The United Kingdom’s policy of keeping at least one nuclear-armed ballistic-missile submarine on patrol continuously. This patrol system is the Navy’s enduring contribution to the national nuclear deterrent.
United States Navy: The naval warfare service of the United States, with a global fleet and extensive carrier aviation. Its scale and global reach provide a useful comparison with Britain’s smaller fleet.
British Empire: The global empire of territories ruled or administered by Britain, at its largest in the early twentieth century. Naval strength helped protect the sea routes connecting imperial territories.
Nuclear submarine: A submarine powered by a nuclear reactor, enabling long submerged endurance. Nuclear-powered submarines provide the Navy’s continuous at-sea deterrent and covert operations.
Spanish Armada: The Spanish fleet sent to invade England in 1588, defeated after an English campaign and storms. The campaign strengthened the standing of England’s maritime defense and naval identity.
Falklands War: The 1982 war between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands and dependencies. The task force showed how the Navy could sustain combat operations far from Britain.
French Navy: The naval warfare service of France, operating nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, and overseas forces. France is another European naval power with independent nuclear and expeditionary capabilities.
Pax Britannica: A period of relative peace among major powers during much of the nineteenth century, under British predominance. The Royal Navy underpinned Britain’s ability to police trade routes and deter rivals.

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