The Royal Navy

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About The Royal Navy

A group dedicated to Royal Navy and Royal Marines photography.

The Royal Navy has played a major role in the UK's affairs for many hundreds of years. It continues to do so, defending our interests and acting as a force for good in the world.

The UK is an island nation which derives much of its wealth from trading. It is therefore no surprise that we have always had a great dependence on the sea. It is our national border and our trade route to the world - over 90% of our imports and exports still travel by sea. It also gives free and unhindered access around the globe.

Over three quarters of the world's countries have a coastline and the UK still has significant influence in the world through organisations such as the United Nations, NATO and the Commonwealth. For these reasons and others besides, the role of the Royal Navy is as relevant now as it ever has been.

The Royal Navy is a versatile force spanning land, air and sea operations. With its own ships, submarines, aircraft and soldiers (the Royal Marines), it can provide either the whole package or work alongside the Army, the RAF and our Allies to deliver the maximum punch.

Crucially, the Royal Navy can deploy rapidly almost anywhere in the world and remain on station until a crisis is resolved. An important consideration is that a naval force operating as close as 12 miles to land, is still in international waters and therefore does not need diplomatic clearance to be there.

At any given time, the Royal Navy is likely to be involved in a range of activities which might include any or all of the following - recent examples are in brackets:

Conflicts and peacekeeping – both national and UN operations (Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Iraq)
Humanitarian aid (Caribbean hurricanes, Mozambique floods)
Anti-drugs patrols (especially the Caribbean)
Search and rescue (almost every day)
Patrolling UK fishing grounds and oilfields
Oceanographic surveys and protecting the maritime environment
Helping the UK community (Foot and Mouth crisis, firefighters' strike)
Providing the nation's nuclear deterrent (constantly)
In order to achieve these aims, the Navy needs a broad range of capabilities, which must be achieved within a tight defence budget. Our hardware is modern and versatile, and our 37,000 people (including 6,000 Royal Marine commandos) are adaptable, resilient and well trained.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk