Royal Navy Order Of Battle
Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 5:17 pm
With thanks to Andrew W.
Royal Navy Order of Battle 2005.
Submarines.
Vanguard Class.
HMS Vanguard (S28)
HMS Victorious (S29)
HMS Vigilant (S30)
HMS Vengeance (S31)
Astute Class.
HMS Astute (S119)
HMS Ambush (S120)
HMS Artful (S121)
HMS Audacious (S122)
HMS Anson (S123)
HMS Agamemnon (S124)
HMS Ajax (S125) (under construction)
HMS Andrew (S126) (planned, but not ordered)
HMS Affray (S127) (planned, but not ordered)
Note: The Astute Class of SSNs started to enter service in 1999. Conceived as the replacement for the Swiftsure Class, it now appears that many of them will serve alongside Astute and her sisters as the RN builds up her submarine fleet in answer to the increasing submarine threat. Using a lot of technology developed for the Vanguard and bearing some physical similarities, these are the largest attack boats the RN has ever built. The increase in size which allows for improvements such as the end of the requirement for hot bunking, as well as easier maintenance, has made them very popular amongst the Submarine Service. Two more Astutes are planned, however, it is likely that another class will be built. This is likely to be a modernised Astute, incorporating lessons learned during her early service. This new class will have to be ordered in around 2007 if not earlier in order to maintain the ‘drumbeat’ required by the Defence Industrial Strategy (Maritime) (Submarines), which was endorsed as part of the 1997 SDR. This stipulates a requirement for 18 SSNs plus 4 SSBNs.
Trafalgar Class.
HMS Trafalgar (S107)
HMS Turbulent (S87)
HMS Tireless (S88)
HMS Torbay (S90)
HMS Trenchant (S91)
HMS Talent (S92)
HMS Triumph (S93)
Swiftsure Class.
HMS Swiftsure (S126) (‘active reserve’/extended readiness)
HMS Sovereign (S108) (Will decommission when Ajax is operational)
HMS Superb (S109)
HMS Sceptre (S104)
HMS Spartan (S105)
HMS Splendid (S106)
Valiant Class.
HMS Churchill (S46)
HMS Warspite (S103)
Note: Used for alongside training. Not likely to go to sea again.
Upholder Class.
HMS Upholder (S40)
HMS Unseen (S41)
HMS Ursula (S42)
HMS Unicorn (S43)
HMS Una (S44)
HMS Undaunted (S45)
HMS Unbending (S26)
HMS Unbroken (S27)
Note: At one point in the early 1990s, the Upholders were seen as a potential victim of mooted defence cuts, with some rumours circulating that they would be sold to Canada. In the end, they have had a relatively short, but so far successful service history. This includes operational deployments to the Mediterranean and Adriatic, the Arabian Gulf, as well as the usual patrols in Northern European waters. The worry of failing to maintain a drumbeat for construction remains but has been alleviated by sales of an export version to Canada (the Victoria Class being lengthened and strengthened for operations under the ice), an interesting reversal of the original sale rumour. Currently, there is interest in further sales from the Dutch and possibly India. The Upholders remain base ported at HMS Dolphin in Gosport, Hants.
Aircraft Carriers.
Queen Elizabeth Class.
HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) (under construction)
HMS Prince of Wales (R09) (under construction)
R10 (ordered, name not chosen)
Note: Designed as a result of the 1992 SDR – Options for Change, the Future Aircraft Carrier (which became CV(Future), then CVF, and now it is in build is the QE Class), marks the return of the Royal Navy to large aircraft carriers. The operations in the Gulf War of 1991 highlighted the RN’s lack of strike capability and power projection, the CVS/FA2 combination not being able to deliver a big enough punch over a large enough distance and served only to confirm the lessons of 1982 with respect to carrier operations. Therefore, with the Invincible Class edging towards the end of their lives, a decision was taken to replace them, and the decision was to go larger.
The RN had finally won its battle with the Treasury with regards to size of ships and costs, the men in suits finally coming round to the concept that steel is cheap, and that communications, sensors and weapons are the expensive bit. This allowed initial drawings of a 40,000t carrier to be shelved, as whilst it was bigger than a CVS, it would be less effective, and possibly just as expensive to run and maintain as the 75,000t design that was finally selected.
The RN did keep an eye on the future with the design of the QE. Whilst it will be initially configured with a ski jump, it is perfectly capable of being reconfigured for conventional carrier operations, as it has the spaces pre laid out for catapults and arrestor wires etc. This has been beneficial as at the time of writing, there is some debate as to whether the RN should stay with the STOVL variant of the JSF or move to the more capable CATOBAR variant. This is somewhat moot for QE, as she will be in service before either variant is operational and will operate Sea Harriers and GR9s before the JSF sees service. The carrier is powered by two RR MT30 gas turbines, which will generate 45MW each, driving two electric motors and powering the ship. It was decided that nuclear power was not the way forward for the carriers, as despite the RN’s background and experience with nuclear submarines, it would be too expensive to upgrade Portsmouth and Portland’s facilities for regular nuclear use. Interestingly, it is not expected that a QE will use substantially more fuel than a CVS, due to the increases in efficiency in modern GTs.
QE will have a nominal complement of 700 (without air group), only slightly larger than a CVS. Its air group will normally be approximately 40 JSF, plus helos. This is a substantial increase from CVS, both in quantity and capability.
Invincible Class.
HMS Invincible (R05)
HMS Illustrious (R06)
HMS Ark Royal (R07)
Note: The three CVSA were upgraded with GWS.27 ‘Lightweight’ Sea Wolf. In war would serve with the NATO ASWSTRIKEFOR & as the flagships of ASW groups. The three ships were well regarded in the RN and kept naval aviation alive. Last vessel due to decommission in 2014.
Amphibious ships.
Ocean Class.
HMS Ocean (L12)
HMS Glory (L16)
Note: The RNs decision to build a new class of assault ships in the late 1980s was borne out of the lessons of the 1982. The difficulties of landing 3 Cdo Brigade as well as 5 Inf Brigade, re-affirmed in the RN it’s need for dedicated helicopter assault ships, not just trying to re role its carriers on an ad-hoc basis. Ocean and Glory were designed to fill this role and return to the RN a capability that disappeared with the retreat from east of Suez. Simple in design, they have several innovations that make them very good LPHs, such as extra wide passageways for Royal Marines laden with equipment to use, which provide dedicated routes from mess decks straight to the flight deck. Well fitted out for controlling an amphibious assault, they are capital ships in their own right, and key components in NATO’s ability to secure the Northern Flank, as well as providing a significant increase in power projection for the UK.
Albion Class.
HMS Albion (L14)
HMS Bulwark (L15)
Note: Albion and Bulwark were built as successors to Fearless and Intrepid, which were built in the 1960s. Like the LPHs, they incorporated lesson learned from 1982, such as dedicated assault routes. They are bigger than their predecessors, capable of carrying more equipment and men, throwing a larger footprint ashore in a faster time. Like their predecessors though, they lack a hangar (there is a plan for the addition of a hangar aft of the main superstructure which would be able to house 3 Merlins, but this is as yet unfunded. A similar plan exists for the Bays). The RN prefers to keep its aviation assets further offshore, where they are less exposed to threats, another lesson learned from 1982, where shore based Exocets caused a lot of damage and worry within the fleet. Albion and Bulwark are accompanied by the Bay Class of the RFA, which provide a similar function, although with a smaller capacity, and a smaller lift capability for each assault. All told, the RN has a blue water amphibious capability which is second only to the USN’s in quantity, and in quality, it’s equal.
Surface Warships.
Type 46 (Tiger) Class.
Batch 1.
HMS Tiger (C20)
HMS Lion (C34)
HMS Blake (C99)
HMS Minotaur (C21)
Batch 2.
HMS Defence (C05)
HMS Hawke (C23)
HMS Captain (C24)
HMS Edgar (C25)
Batch 3.
HMS Mars (C26)
HMS Bellerophon (C28)
HMS Diadem (C84) (working up)
HMS Royalist (C89) (on sea trials)
Type 45 (Daring) Class.
Batch 1.
HMS Daring (D32)
HMS Dauntless (D33)
HMS Diamond (D34)
HMS Dragon (D35)
Batch 2.
HMS Defender (D36)
HMS Duncan (D37)
HMS Decoy (D38)
HMS Dainty (D39)
HMS Delight (D40)
Batch 3.
HMS Dane (D41)
HMS Duchess (D42) (on sea trials)
HMS Despatch (D43) (on sea trials)
HMS Dorsetshire (D44) (preparing for sea trials)
HMS Dido (D45) (preparing for sea trials)
Note: The Type 45 (Daring Class) is a surprising success story for the Royal Navy. Born out of not one, but two cancelled projects, it has become a success story for the RN, and BAe, its designers, successfully being exported to several countries.
Similar in appearance to the Horizon class, which could be described as its half-sister, it is much more capable. Equipped with Garfish missiles, and Sampson radar, it provides a very potent AAW platform, easily capable of dealing with the latest Soviet missiles and aircraft.
The original order called for 12 Darings, which was the initial requirement of the 1992 SDR, a one for one replacement of the T42s, and had long been planned in its many guises. However, the early 90s saw an increase in Warsaw Pact and NATO conventional forces, a result of the reduction in nuclear weaponry. This led to a need for a further order of surface combatants, probably more Darings. At this point the Admiralty did some thinking, namely as to what they would require of these further surface warships to do. They came with a few key requirements (amongst many others):
Escort CVF (Area AAW)
Escort Assault Ships (Area AAW)
Escort Convoys (Area AAW)
Land Attack
The first requirement was the same as had been laid down for the Daring. The second and third were subtly different, as none of the 4 assault ships had an Ops Room designed for Area AAW, and neither did the convoys (it should be noted that with the increase in conventional forces, the REFORGER convoys were starting to return to strategic prominence, as assumptions about MAD became less certain). This led to the thought that some kind of ‘command AAW’ ship might be needed, with improved C4ISTAR facilities compared to the Darings. Admittedly, the Darings had had some space allocated for a Flag suite, and would be just about adequate in a command role, but it wasn’t specifically what they were designed for.
Accepting that the ‘Command Daring’ was going to be the way ahead (the word ‘Cruiser’ was deemed as too politically charged by the RN still), almost certainly a stretched version with a bit more space for the Flag suite, a few more pieces of the puzzle fell into place. As already mentioned, the Daring is optimised as an AAW ship. It does, however, have the capability to launch VL TLAM, courtesy of its Mk41 launchers. The only problem with this is that in the event of the Cold War going hot, all the 48 cells would be required for Garfish, leaving no space for TLAM. Stretching a Daring would provide enough space to add more Mk41s (aft as it turned out) which allows more TLAM to be carried without affecting the number of Garfish. Alternatively, if roled as a convoy escort, it could carry more Garfish, covering the AAW aspect, whilst the new corvette classes dealt with the ASW threat.
This led to the first images appearing in military publications in about 1995 of a ‘Stretched Daring’, just as Daring was coming off the slips herself. As the RN was busy conducting feasibility studies and costings, other organisations, always interested in the Navy, were conducting other studies. On the 21st of October 1995, when Daring was launched, the Sun newspaper ran a story all about the Daring, and how there were plans afoot for an even bigger sister class, and that both classes which would be bigger than the Second World War built Tiger Class. This new unnamed class attracted considerable interest from the British public, and without official consent, they soon acquired a nickname: ‘The New Tigers’, and so, the Tiger Class Cruiser was born.
Fast forward to 1999 and HMS Tiger was launched in Glasgow. The Daring production had wound down slightly, with 3 commissioned, 4 on trials, 3 fitting out and 2 still building, the last 5 at a much slower rate, leaving plenty of room for the 8 Tigers ordered to be built in shipyards throughout Britain. The increasing tension of the late 90s saw a further order of 6 ships, 4 more Tigers, and 2 more Darings, as well as the orders for the 6 Australian Darings (the Vampires) and the pair of Saudi Darings (al-Salil, the Drawn Sword Class).
Interestingly, by the time the Tigers were ordered, their development had already been paid for by the initial Daring order. Coupled with more efficient methods found in building the total production run of 32 ships, this meant that the Tigers were in fact cheaper than the Darings to build, at £550 million to the initial price of £700 million. The last 2 Darings came in at just over £400 million, all their development being paid for, and the shipyards very familiar with building them. It is interesting to note, that had the MoD only ordered 6 Darings, which was strongly rumoured when Garfish was looking at being prohibitively expensive, they would have cost upwards of £1 Billion each, roughly the price of a Tiger and Daring pair.
Type 42 (Sheffield) Class.
Batch 1.
HMS Birmingham (D86)
HMS Newcastle (D87)
HMS Glasgow (D88)
HMS Cardiff (D108)
Note: In so called ‘active reserve’/extended readiness.
Batch 2.
HMS Exeter (D89) (‘active reserve’/extended readiness)
HMS Southampton (D90)
HMS Nottingham (D91) (‘active reserve’/extended readiness)
HMS Liverpool (D92)
Batch 3.
HMS Manchester (D95)
HMS Gloucester (D96)
HMS Edinburgh (D97)
HMS York (D98)
Note: The Type 42 (Sheffield) Class has been in service in the Royal Navy since the 1970s, and has proven itself eventually to be a reliable and hardy platform. In the 1991 Gulf War, the class even earnt distinction with the first ever successful missile to missile engagement at sea, carried out by HMS Gloucester in the defence of USS Missouri. Reaching the end of their lives now, they are being replaced by the Darings and Tigers which provide a significant increase in firepower and capability. They still remain useful, and are still found on lower threat deployments, such as APT(S). Currently the first half of the class is in Reserve, manned by the RNR augmented by a regular core, which also maintains them. It is likely that when the final half of the class is replaced, and they enter reserve, that the older ships will be scrapped. Some though, will replace the Leanders in their role as Harbour Training Ships and Trials Ships.
Type 82 (Bristol) Class.
HMS Bristol (D23)
Note: In ‘active reserve’/extended readiness; flagship of the Standby Squadron. Has been mobilised to service on four times between 1993 and 2004 for exercises, using RNR personnel to fill out her company. The rest of the time she serves as a Harbour Training Ship supporting the HMS Excellent shore establishment. She hosts RNR personnel and MoD supported cadets for training and ‘experience weekends’. Was also used as a source of additional accommodation in HMNB Portsmouth, which was at a premium. As of 2005 there were no immediate plans to replace her, with a further refit planned for around 2010. However, it was planned that around 2006/2007 she would become a permanent static HTS.
Type 21 (Amazon) Class.
HMS Alacrity (F174)
HMS Avenger (F185)
Note: Serve as engineering training and sea going trials ships at Rosyth. Will transfer to Pakistani navy in 2006
Type 22 (Broadsword) Class.
Batch 1.
HMS Brilliant (F90)
HMS Brazen (F91)
Note: In ‘active reserve’/extended readiness
Batch 2 (standard).
HMS Beaver (F93)
HMS Brave (F94)
Note: ‘active reserve’/extended readiness
Batch 2 (reconstructed).
HMS Boxer (F92) (training ship)
HMS London (F95) (training ship)
HMS Sheffield (F96)
HMS Coventry (F98)
Batch 3.
HMS Cumberland (F85)
HMS Campeltown (F86)
HMS Chatham (F87)
HMS Cornwall (F99)
Note: Like their sister class, the T22 (Broadsword) Class have been in service since the 1970s. Popular with the men and latterly women of the RN due to their spacious size, they are slowly being phased out. The last 8, all at what is now called ‘Batch 3 Standard’, retain their ASW role. Now equipped with Goalkeeper, 2170 Sonar, a 4.5” Mk 8, 8x Harpoon and 2 Lynx HM.8 helos, as well as a formidable array of EW sensors and the original Sea Wolf fit, they still provide a very capable and powerful platform.
Despite the punch they still pack, the first 4 of the class have been retired to extended readiness, replaced by the Stretched T23s. Like the reserve T42s, these are manned by the RNR, with a regular core. The later ships are now starting to reach the end of their lives as well, and replacement is in the form of the Type 26 frigate. Sales of the earlier ships have been mooted, with Brazil already having bought the oldest two, with two more to follow. However, there is an element of indecision, as the RN is pushing for them to purchase T24 Loch Class frigates instead, keeping British shipyards in work. Should this happen it is likely that one or two will become Trials and Training ships, with the remainder scrapped.
Type 23 (Duke) class.
HMS Norfolk (F230)
HMS Marlborough (F233)
HMS Lancaster (F229)
HMS Argyll (F231)
HMS Iron Duke (F234)
HMS Monmouth (F235)
HMS Montrose (F236)
HMS Westminster (F237)
HMS Northumberland (F238)
HMS Richmond (F239)
HMS Somerset (F82)
HMS Grafton (F80)
HMS Sutherland (F81)
HMS Kent (F78)
HMS Portland (F79)
HMS St. Albans (F83)
‘Stretched’ Type 23 (I).
HMS Bedford (F84)
HMS Rutland (F240)
HMS Beaufort (F241)
HMS Devonshire (F242)
HMS Hamilton (F243)
HMS Lennox (F244)
HMS Rothesay (F245)
Note: The ‘Stretched’ T23 were 6 meters longer, allowing for an increase in Sea Wolf missiles from 32 to 48 missiles. The ships also had the same Mk.9 155mm gun as the T45, and a Goalkeeper CWIS amidships.
Type 12M (Leander) Class.
HMS Andromeda (F57)
HMS Hermione (F58)
HMS Jupiter (F60)
HMS Scylla (F71)
HMS Charybdis (F75)
Note: In ‘active reserve’/extended readiness, to be withdrawn to long-term reserve in 2006. Available for sale abroad. May be used as targets.
The last of the active Leanders, these ships are being replaced in reserve by the older T42s and T22s. It is likely that these will either be scrapped or used as targets. One novel use has already been suggested, and that is to sink one off the Cornish coast to provide an attraction for divers and thus boost tourism. It is not sure how seriously this idea is being taken.
Type 24 (Loch) Class.
HMS Loch Lomond (K15)
HMS Loch Achray (K16)
HMS Loch Dunvegan (K17)
HMS Loch Fada (K18)
HMS Loch Katrine (K19)
HMS Loch Glendhu (K20)
HMS Loch Fyne (K21)
HMS Loch Insh (K22)
HMS Loch Killin (K23)
HMS Loch Tarbert (K24)
(+ 4 under construction.)
Type 25 (Castle) Class.
HMS Alnwick Castle (K259)
HMS Hurst Castle (K266)
HMS Tintagel Castle (K260)
HMS Bamborough Castle (K267)
HMS Amberly Castle (K261)
HMS Hurst Castle (K268)
HMS Oxford Castle (K262)
HMS Pevensey Castle (K269)
(+ 6 building.)
Note: The increased likelihood of a more protracted and conventional war than envisaged by many people during the Cold War led many people in the RN to start thinking about the requirement to bring large amounts of personnel and equipment across from the US. Whilst many would be flown in to use prepositioned equipment, it became increasingly apparent that with the reduction in tactical nuclear weapons and resulting increase in conventional forces, that the REFORGER Convoys could end up approaching the size and importance of their Second World War forerunners. This posed a thorny question for the RN (and indeed the USN), namely, how to get them here safely. All the traditional escorts for convoys, the frigates and destroyers that had done sterling service for example during the Tanker Wars in the 80s, had a key war role escorting carriers, amphibious assault groups and ASWSTRIKEFOR, leaving none spare.
A requirement was quickly created for a cheap, low end escort class which would be able to escort convoys across the Atlantic and across the North Sea. The presence of Soviet submarines meant that there would be a requirement for ASW, namely a helicopter and a TAS. The presence of Soviet Long Range Naval Aviation created a requirement for some kind of ASMD ability, most likely a Seawolf derivative and or CIWS of some form. Unfortunately, this started to look very much like a T23, which wouldn’t be affordable in the numbers required to escort convoys adequately.
A neat solution was created when it was pointed out that it was the convoy that needed these capabilities, not the individual platform. The capabilities could be split over a couple of platforms, one specialising as AAW and C2 and one as ASW. The idea of splitting the capability had unexpected benefits. When the requirement was drawn up, as was usual, word got around the defence community. What the MoD hadn’t realised was that many of these requirements had regularly featured in demonstration designs, from BAe, VT, Yarrows etc, in the form of up-gunned OPVs and the like which they hoped to export. In fact, the AAW/C2 corvette requirement was almost entirely filled by Yarrows’ ‘Light Export Frigate’, known as the F2021 concept, reflecting its heritage.
F2021 was based on the F2000 class of frigates which Yarrows had built for export (to Malaysia as the Lekiu Class). These were a modern take on the old Vospers Mk 5 frigate. As such, when it came to creating a version for the RN, its name was changed to F2021, reflecting the fact that the RN’s version of the Mk 5 was the T21. Whilst it was originally designed with the export market in mind, a few changes were quickly made, with the 8x Mk41s removed, and replaced with VLS Seawolf, and a few other systems added, such as Harpoon. It is interesting to note at this point that all three variants of the F2000 have all been built with Sea Wolf and not the Mk41 as was in the original design. The flight deck and hangar had been designed with smaller helicopters of the size of NH90, or Lynx in mind (in particular, Yarrows had sold them to Malaysia in a partnership deal with Westland, incorporating an export derivative of the Super Lynx, and a similar deal for a further 3 sales had been lined up for Brunei). This suited the RN to a tee, as there were increasing numbers of HM.8s available with the increasing numbers of Merlins replacing them around the Fleet. This provided an almost perfect fit for the requirement, as well as being substantial enough to carry out some of the other tasks it earned, such as enforcing the oil embargo on Saddam’s Iraq and APT(N). This did leave the problem of what design to use for the TAS platform.
It was here that the RN in fact helped itself. Sitting on a shelf in Bath Foxhill was a small model of what looked like a Castle Class OPV. Closer inspection revealed it to be somewhat different. It had acquired a substantial gun, and what looked suspiciously like a TAS on the stern. This closer inspection was in fact carried out by the head of DE&S, whilst waiting to be briefed on the difficulties of finding a suitable design. Despite the fact that he was an Army General, he remarked that ‘there appeared to be a perfectly good design outside’. This caused a mild flurry of activity as the civil servants and naval architects found out what he was referring to, and then spent a while kicking themselves for forgetting all about CNC’s proposal from the 1980s for the Castle Class as a TAS tug. A small amount of work was carried out and the New Castles were born.
The New Castles did pose a few problems, mainly that the production line had been stopped, not just for the hull, but also for much of the equipment. However, this was easily remedied, as the hull was a very simple design, and Paxman Diesels, whilst no longer producing the Valenta and Ventura lines, was producing diesels with a similar size footprint, but much improved performance. In fact, the new class of diesel was so successful that it was retro fitted into the T23s to replace their Venturas. The 105mm gun was taken from the Centurions, many of which were still in storage, and the TAS fitted was 2087, as fitted to T23. Whilst this is a very expensive sonar, the RN was beginning to see some real advantages from the mass production of it, including increased reliability, improved performance as the increasing number of operators learnt its foibles, and a significant reduction in price. Even the US was impressed, something borne out by the fact that just before WW3 broke out, the USN was getting ready to sign a purchase agreement for their ASW requirements.
The T24 Loch Class is looking likely have a few foreign orders, with Brazil interested in them, and New Zealand interested in replacing their ANZAC Class frigates with them, as well as the initial sales to Malaysia and Brunei.
The T25 Castle Class has had minor export success, with the RAN’s Diamantina Class coastal frigates being an Australian built version, and a similar variant is also in service with the RNZN.
Mine Countermeasures Vessels.
The Royal Navy retains a substantial mine hunting force, probably the world’s largest, and certainly the most experienced. The Sandown is the mainstay of the MCM fleet, supported by the Hunt and Black Swan classes. The River class is slowly being withdrawn from service as they are replaced by new build Sandowns and are expected to be gone by 2007. The experiment with hovercraft (MCM(H)s) has been deemed to be a success, providing a speed of transit to minefields that MCMVs have traditionally lacked. Based out of West Wales, the Black Swans are amongst those vessels which have been moved from ‘traditional’ base port areas. The move to West Wales was driven by a need to reduce transit times to the Western Approaches and Irish Sea and limited space in Devonport. As well as this the RN had to move the MCM[H]s out of major population areas because of the noise they create, and West Wales was the most cost-effective option available.
This move by the MCM[H]s has been coupled with a move from Portsmouth and Rosyth of small ‘composite squadrons’ of MCMVs and patrol vessels to Tilbury and Hull respectively. Whilst improving coverage of the UK’s east coast ports and the Thames Estuary, which it was realised were particularly vulnerable to mining, it has also raised the RN’s profile in communities that are far from its recent heartlands. They have proved popular drafts with many sailors from these regions volunteering for service there, as it takes them closer to home. The basing of fishery patrol vessels in the ports with the vessels they protect has helped engender a feeling of respect, as the fishermen increasingly feel that they are protected by ‘their’ ship, and not harassed by the government, as was a frequent complaint previously.
The remaining River Class are likely to be replaced in their Patrol role by Tynes in what will be a name for name replacement.
Hunt Class.
HMS Brecon (M29)
HMS Ledbury (M30)
HMS Cattistock (M31)
HMS Cottesmore (M32)
HMS Brocklesby (M33)
HMS Middleton (M34)
HMS Dulverton (M35)
HMS Biscester (M36)
HMS Chiddingford (M37)
HMS Atherstone (M38)
HMS Hurworth (M39)
HMS Berkeley (M40)
HMS Quorn (M41)
River Class.
HMS Waveney (M2003)
HMS Carron (M2004)
HMS Dovey (M2005)
HMS Helford (M2006)
HMS Blackwater (M2008) (Northern Ireland Squadron)
HMS Itchen (M2009) (Northern Ireland Squadron)
HMS Spey (M2013) (Northern Ireland Squadron)
HMS Arun (M2014) (Northern Ireland Squadron)
Note: Most assigned to the RNR manned 10th MCM Squadron. Those assigned to the Northern Ireland Squadron are RN crewed and would return to the 10th MCMS in wartime.
Sandown Class.
HMS Sandown (M101)
HMS Inverness (M102)
HMS Cromer (M103)
HMS Walney (M104)
HMS Bridport (M105)
HMS Penzance (M106)
HMS Pembroke (M107)
HMS Grimsby (M108)
HMS Bangor (M109)
HMS Ramsey (M110)
HMS Blyth (M111)
HMS Shoreham (M112)
HMS Peterhead (M113) (RNR crewed)
HMS Whitby (M114) (RNR crewed)
HMS Anstruther (M115) (RNR crewed)
HMS Eyemouth (M116) (RNR crewed)
HMS Hartlepool (M117) (RNR crewed)
(+ 3 under construction).
Black Swan (MCM [H]) Class.
HMS Black Swan (M46)
HMS Erne (M47)
HMS Amethyst (M48)
HMS Snipe (M49)
HMS Sparrow (M50)
HMS Whimbrel (M51)
HMS Flamingo (M52)
HMS Ibis (M53)
HMS Crane (M54)
HMS Hart (M55)
HMS Hind (M56)
HMS Sparrow (M57)
Stork (MCM [H]) Class.
HMS Stork (M42)
HMS Egret (M43)
HMS Bittern (M44)
HMS Pelican (M45)
Note: All but M44 in reserve at Faslane, not likely to go to sea again. M44 used as general runabout between Faslane and Northern Ireland.
Patrol Vessels.
Tyne Class.
Batch 1
HMS Tyne (P286)
HMS Severn (P287)
HMS Mersey (P288)
Modified Batch 1
HMS Clyde (P257) (Falkland Islands patrol vessel)
Batch 2
HMS Forth (P222)
HMS Trent (P224)
HMS Tay (P225)
HMS Tamar (P226) (Under construction)
Batch 3
HMS Spey (P227) (Under construction)
HMS Thames (P228) (Under construction)
HMS Tees (P229) (Under construction)
HMS Foyle (P230) (Ordered)
Note: The Tyne Class has had an interesting gestation. Initially conceived as a pure replacement for the Castle Class, they are considerably more powerful than their predecessors, as well as much faster. They are to also replace the ageing Peacocks, and one will provide a more powerful centrepiece to the Cyprus Squadron (although in both cases, these vessels will be fitted for but not with Harpoon or torpedoes, as they will not be required in these theatres). In addition, it seems likely that they will replace the Island Class in their ELINT role (these will temporarily be relieved by the Castles) and the Sentinel in Faslane. This decision to expand the remit of what was initially going to be only a Falkland Island guardship and a fishery protection vessel has been taken on cost grounds. In the long term, it is cheaper for the RN to reduce the number of classes it operates, particularly with regards to older platforms which had little commonality with their contemporaries, let alone ships built several decades later. This desire to standardise has been manifest in several procurement decisions, where a slightly more expensive platform may have been bought, but it allows for a more effective support system.
Peacock Class.
HMS Peacock (P239)
HMS Plover (P240)
HMS Starling (P241)
Note: Assigned to the Gibraltar Squadron.
Castle Class.
HMS Leeds Castle (P258)
HMS Dumbarton Castle (P265)
Note: Will be withdrawn from patrol duties when remaining Tyne class enters service. Will replace remaining Island class in ELINT role.
Island Class.
HMS Anglesey (P277)
HMS Shetland (P298)
HMS Orkney (P299)
Note: Serve in ELINT role, marking Soviet ‘trawlers’ in UK territorial waters, to be replaced by Castle class OPVs.
Sentinel Class.
HMS Sentinel (P246)
Note: Employed in the Clyde area on submarine escort duties – and ‘marking’ of Soviet vessels off N. Ireland.
Scimitar Class.
HMS Scimitar (P292) (ex-MV Grey Fox)
HMS Sabre (P293) (ex-MV Grey Wolf)
Note: Assigned to the Gibraltar Squadron.
Archer Class.
HMS Archer (P264) (East Scotland URNU)
HMS Biter (P270) (Manchester & Salford URNU)
HMS Smiter (P272) (Oxford URNU)
HMS Pursuer (P273) (Glasgow URNU)
HMS Blazer (P297) (Southampton URNU & Portsmouth URNU)
HMS Dasher (P280) (Bristol URNU)
HMS Puncher (P291) (London URNU)
HMS Charger (P292) (Liverpool URNU)
HMS Ranger (P293) (Sussex & Brighton Universities' URNU)
HMS Trumpeter (P294) (Cambridge URNU)
HMS Tracker (P274) (Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron)
HMS Raider (P275) (Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron)
Note: Serve as inshore patrol boats in wartime. P274 & P275 have been armed with 3x GPMG and fitted with ballistic armour.
Attacker Class.
HMS Attacker (P281) (Cyprus Squadron)
HMS Chaser (P282) (Wales URNU)
HMS Fencer (P283) (Cyprus Squadron)
HMS Hunter (P284) (Yorkshire Universities URNU)
HMS Striker (P285) (Cyprus Squadron)
Note: Cyprus Squadron boats armed with three GPMGs and fitted with ballistic armour.
Support and survey Ships.
Challenger Class.
HMS Challenger (K07)
Note: ‘Seabed Operations Vessel’.
Apollo Class.
HMS Apollo (A160)
HMS Ariadne (A161)
HMS Latona (A162)
Note: SWATH ‘sonar support ships’, similar to US T-AGOS ships.
Echo Class.
HMS Echo (H87)
HMS Enterprise (H88)
HMS Emerald (H89)
Note: Survey vessels with a secondary role as MCMV command vessel.
Endurance Class.
HMS Endurance (A171)
Note: Ice Patrol ship and British Antarctic Survey Guardship.
Scott Class.
HMS Scott (H131)
Note: Largest of the RN’s Survey vessel with a secondary role as MCMV command vessel. Had an ice-strengthened hull, which allowed her to stand in for Endurance when the latter was unavailable.
Roebuck Class.
HMS Roebuck (H130)
Note: Survey vessel with a secondary role as MCMV command vessel.
Gleaner Class.
HMS Gleaner (H86)
Note: An inshore survey vessel, which is the smallest commissioned ship in the RN.
Manly Class.
HMS Manly (A92)
HMS Mentor (A94)
HMS Milbrook (A97)
HMS Messina (A107)
Note: A92 to A97 former Fleet Tenders attached to HMS Raleigh for new entry training. A107 RM training ship, based at Poole.
Royal Yacht.
HMY Britannia
Note: It had been intended to decommission and replace the current Royal Yacht around 1997. However, the cost of a modern replacement was becoming prohibitive with all of the other pressures on the defence budget. However, a manufacturer of diesel engines offered a set free of charge if the MOD and Royal Household would pay to re-engine Britannia, an offer that Her Majesty and the Government accepted. As well as her publicised roles it is less well known that in the event of a nuclear attack, she would carry one of the dispersed groups headed by a senior minister. It is not true, however that she would carry HM the Queen.
Wartime Acquisitions
Surface Ships
Leith Class
HMS Leith (K28) (ex-Nakhoda Ragam)
HMS Aberdeen (K29) (ex-Bendahara Sakam)
HMS Dundee (K30) (ex-Jerambak)
Note: A corvette variant of the F2000 class built for the Royal Brunei Navy. Brunei refused to accept delivery of the ships, claiming that they did not meet the required specifications. The trio were laid up at Scotstoun, Glasgow while the dispute was the subject of arbitration. Shortly after the outbreak of war, the MoD requisitioned the ships for service with the Royal Navy. While capable vessels, British sailors found them cramped, as they had been designed for people of smaller stature.
Ton Class
HMS Bronington (M1115)
Note: One of four surviving Ton class minesweepers/hunters, the vessel had been preserved at Birkenhead. Was requisitioned for mine hunting and local patrol duties in the Mersey.
Auxiliary Mine Sweepers
HMS Perth (M58)
HMS Exmouth (M59)
Note: Australian built AMS based on Japanese longliner fishing vessel designs. Two vessels acquired so that the RN could assess the design. Names chosen after locations in both countries that share a name. Used the Australian Minesweeping and Support System emulation sweep (AMASS) system, but could also use electrical and Oropesa sweeping.
Non-seagoing vessels.
Note: Not a comprehensive list. Other non-seagoing ships also still exist, e.g. museum ships, accommodation hulks etc.
Fearless Class.
HMS Fearless (L10)
HMS Intrepid (L11)
Note: Both are in long-term reserve; L10 at 30 days’ notice, L11 used for spare parts and amphibious trials. Neither ship likely to go to sea again, except to breakers.
‘C’ Class.
HMS Caroline
Note: RNR Headquarters and Training Ship berthed in Alexandra Dock in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast. To be replaced by ‘Stone Frigate’ by 2011. May become museum ship after that; was last surviving ship to take part in the Battle of Jutland.
Type 12M (Leander) Class.
HMS Cleopatra (F28) (Static trials ship at Portsmouth)
HMS Sirius (F40) (Harbour Training Ship at Gosport)
HMS Danae (F47) (Harbour Training Ship at Gosport)
HMS Argonaut (F56) (Harbor Training and Trials at Rosyth)
HMS Penelope (F127) (Harbor Training and Trials at Rosyth)
River Class.
Hindostan (ex-HMS Orwell (M2011))
Note: BRNC static training ship.
Oberon Class.
HMS Orpheus (S11)
Notes: Harbour Training Boat at Gosport, last Oberon class in RN service.
Future Warships
Submarines
Successor to Vanguard
(S32)
(S33)
(S34)
(S34)
Note: The class will, initially at least, be armed with the Trident D-5(LE) missile and share a Common Missile Compartment with the American SSBN (X). Although, the US version will have twenty-four tubes, rather than the sixteen the British boats will have. Both countries are also working together on new warhead designs for the Life Extended D-5 missile.
Follow on to Astute.
Note: Likely to be an improved ‘Batch 2’ Astute.
Amphibious Ships.
LPH (R)
Note: A requirement exists to replace both of Ocean class LPH. Early studies were underway in 2005 into a vessel of around 30,000 tons.
LPD (R)
Note: The Albion class will need replacement in the late 2020s, or early 2030s, so, as with LPH (R), the RN had in 2005 started to study what new class of LPD might look like.
Surface Warships.
Type 26 (City) Class.
Batch 1.
(F88)
(F89)
(F90)
Note: The ‘City’ Class are due to take over from the Type 23 as the backbone of the frigate force, while also replacing the Type 22. While no names have been publicly announced, the RN has confirmed that the class will be named after British cities.
Type 31.
Note: The designation had been set aside for a class of light frigate intended to replace the Type 24 Loch class.
Patrol Vessels
Modified River Class.
Batch 1
(P231)
(P232)
(P233)
Note: Larger, modified versions of the Batch 2 and 3 River Class. It is planned that they will replace the Type 25.
Royal Navy Order of Battle 2005.
Submarines.
Vanguard Class.
HMS Vanguard (S28)
HMS Victorious (S29)
HMS Vigilant (S30)
HMS Vengeance (S31)
Astute Class.
HMS Astute (S119)
HMS Ambush (S120)
HMS Artful (S121)
HMS Audacious (S122)
HMS Anson (S123)
HMS Agamemnon (S124)
HMS Ajax (S125) (under construction)
HMS Andrew (S126) (planned, but not ordered)
HMS Affray (S127) (planned, but not ordered)
Note: The Astute Class of SSNs started to enter service in 1999. Conceived as the replacement for the Swiftsure Class, it now appears that many of them will serve alongside Astute and her sisters as the RN builds up her submarine fleet in answer to the increasing submarine threat. Using a lot of technology developed for the Vanguard and bearing some physical similarities, these are the largest attack boats the RN has ever built. The increase in size which allows for improvements such as the end of the requirement for hot bunking, as well as easier maintenance, has made them very popular amongst the Submarine Service. Two more Astutes are planned, however, it is likely that another class will be built. This is likely to be a modernised Astute, incorporating lessons learned during her early service. This new class will have to be ordered in around 2007 if not earlier in order to maintain the ‘drumbeat’ required by the Defence Industrial Strategy (Maritime) (Submarines), which was endorsed as part of the 1997 SDR. This stipulates a requirement for 18 SSNs plus 4 SSBNs.
Trafalgar Class.
HMS Trafalgar (S107)
HMS Turbulent (S87)
HMS Tireless (S88)
HMS Torbay (S90)
HMS Trenchant (S91)
HMS Talent (S92)
HMS Triumph (S93)
Swiftsure Class.
HMS Swiftsure (S126) (‘active reserve’/extended readiness)
HMS Sovereign (S108) (Will decommission when Ajax is operational)
HMS Superb (S109)
HMS Sceptre (S104)
HMS Spartan (S105)
HMS Splendid (S106)
Valiant Class.
HMS Churchill (S46)
HMS Warspite (S103)
Note: Used for alongside training. Not likely to go to sea again.
Upholder Class.
HMS Upholder (S40)
HMS Unseen (S41)
HMS Ursula (S42)
HMS Unicorn (S43)
HMS Una (S44)
HMS Undaunted (S45)
HMS Unbending (S26)
HMS Unbroken (S27)
Note: At one point in the early 1990s, the Upholders were seen as a potential victim of mooted defence cuts, with some rumours circulating that they would be sold to Canada. In the end, they have had a relatively short, but so far successful service history. This includes operational deployments to the Mediterranean and Adriatic, the Arabian Gulf, as well as the usual patrols in Northern European waters. The worry of failing to maintain a drumbeat for construction remains but has been alleviated by sales of an export version to Canada (the Victoria Class being lengthened and strengthened for operations under the ice), an interesting reversal of the original sale rumour. Currently, there is interest in further sales from the Dutch and possibly India. The Upholders remain base ported at HMS Dolphin in Gosport, Hants.
Aircraft Carriers.
Queen Elizabeth Class.
HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) (under construction)
HMS Prince of Wales (R09) (under construction)
R10 (ordered, name not chosen)
Note: Designed as a result of the 1992 SDR – Options for Change, the Future Aircraft Carrier (which became CV(Future), then CVF, and now it is in build is the QE Class), marks the return of the Royal Navy to large aircraft carriers. The operations in the Gulf War of 1991 highlighted the RN’s lack of strike capability and power projection, the CVS/FA2 combination not being able to deliver a big enough punch over a large enough distance and served only to confirm the lessons of 1982 with respect to carrier operations. Therefore, with the Invincible Class edging towards the end of their lives, a decision was taken to replace them, and the decision was to go larger.
The RN had finally won its battle with the Treasury with regards to size of ships and costs, the men in suits finally coming round to the concept that steel is cheap, and that communications, sensors and weapons are the expensive bit. This allowed initial drawings of a 40,000t carrier to be shelved, as whilst it was bigger than a CVS, it would be less effective, and possibly just as expensive to run and maintain as the 75,000t design that was finally selected.
The RN did keep an eye on the future with the design of the QE. Whilst it will be initially configured with a ski jump, it is perfectly capable of being reconfigured for conventional carrier operations, as it has the spaces pre laid out for catapults and arrestor wires etc. This has been beneficial as at the time of writing, there is some debate as to whether the RN should stay with the STOVL variant of the JSF or move to the more capable CATOBAR variant. This is somewhat moot for QE, as she will be in service before either variant is operational and will operate Sea Harriers and GR9s before the JSF sees service. The carrier is powered by two RR MT30 gas turbines, which will generate 45MW each, driving two electric motors and powering the ship. It was decided that nuclear power was not the way forward for the carriers, as despite the RN’s background and experience with nuclear submarines, it would be too expensive to upgrade Portsmouth and Portland’s facilities for regular nuclear use. Interestingly, it is not expected that a QE will use substantially more fuel than a CVS, due to the increases in efficiency in modern GTs.
QE will have a nominal complement of 700 (without air group), only slightly larger than a CVS. Its air group will normally be approximately 40 JSF, plus helos. This is a substantial increase from CVS, both in quantity and capability.
Invincible Class.
HMS Invincible (R05)
HMS Illustrious (R06)
HMS Ark Royal (R07)
Note: The three CVSA were upgraded with GWS.27 ‘Lightweight’ Sea Wolf. In war would serve with the NATO ASWSTRIKEFOR & as the flagships of ASW groups. The three ships were well regarded in the RN and kept naval aviation alive. Last vessel due to decommission in 2014.
Amphibious ships.
Ocean Class.
HMS Ocean (L12)
HMS Glory (L16)
Note: The RNs decision to build a new class of assault ships in the late 1980s was borne out of the lessons of the 1982. The difficulties of landing 3 Cdo Brigade as well as 5 Inf Brigade, re-affirmed in the RN it’s need for dedicated helicopter assault ships, not just trying to re role its carriers on an ad-hoc basis. Ocean and Glory were designed to fill this role and return to the RN a capability that disappeared with the retreat from east of Suez. Simple in design, they have several innovations that make them very good LPHs, such as extra wide passageways for Royal Marines laden with equipment to use, which provide dedicated routes from mess decks straight to the flight deck. Well fitted out for controlling an amphibious assault, they are capital ships in their own right, and key components in NATO’s ability to secure the Northern Flank, as well as providing a significant increase in power projection for the UK.
Albion Class.
HMS Albion (L14)
HMS Bulwark (L15)
Note: Albion and Bulwark were built as successors to Fearless and Intrepid, which were built in the 1960s. Like the LPHs, they incorporated lesson learned from 1982, such as dedicated assault routes. They are bigger than their predecessors, capable of carrying more equipment and men, throwing a larger footprint ashore in a faster time. Like their predecessors though, they lack a hangar (there is a plan for the addition of a hangar aft of the main superstructure which would be able to house 3 Merlins, but this is as yet unfunded. A similar plan exists for the Bays). The RN prefers to keep its aviation assets further offshore, where they are less exposed to threats, another lesson learned from 1982, where shore based Exocets caused a lot of damage and worry within the fleet. Albion and Bulwark are accompanied by the Bay Class of the RFA, which provide a similar function, although with a smaller capacity, and a smaller lift capability for each assault. All told, the RN has a blue water amphibious capability which is second only to the USN’s in quantity, and in quality, it’s equal.
Surface Warships.
Type 46 (Tiger) Class.
Batch 1.
HMS Tiger (C20)
HMS Lion (C34)
HMS Blake (C99)
HMS Minotaur (C21)
Batch 2.
HMS Defence (C05)
HMS Hawke (C23)
HMS Captain (C24)
HMS Edgar (C25)
Batch 3.
HMS Mars (C26)
HMS Bellerophon (C28)
HMS Diadem (C84) (working up)
HMS Royalist (C89) (on sea trials)
Type 45 (Daring) Class.
Batch 1.
HMS Daring (D32)
HMS Dauntless (D33)
HMS Diamond (D34)
HMS Dragon (D35)
Batch 2.
HMS Defender (D36)
HMS Duncan (D37)
HMS Decoy (D38)
HMS Dainty (D39)
HMS Delight (D40)
Batch 3.
HMS Dane (D41)
HMS Duchess (D42) (on sea trials)
HMS Despatch (D43) (on sea trials)
HMS Dorsetshire (D44) (preparing for sea trials)
HMS Dido (D45) (preparing for sea trials)
Note: The Type 45 (Daring Class) is a surprising success story for the Royal Navy. Born out of not one, but two cancelled projects, it has become a success story for the RN, and BAe, its designers, successfully being exported to several countries.
Similar in appearance to the Horizon class, which could be described as its half-sister, it is much more capable. Equipped with Garfish missiles, and Sampson radar, it provides a very potent AAW platform, easily capable of dealing with the latest Soviet missiles and aircraft.
The original order called for 12 Darings, which was the initial requirement of the 1992 SDR, a one for one replacement of the T42s, and had long been planned in its many guises. However, the early 90s saw an increase in Warsaw Pact and NATO conventional forces, a result of the reduction in nuclear weaponry. This led to a need for a further order of surface combatants, probably more Darings. At this point the Admiralty did some thinking, namely as to what they would require of these further surface warships to do. They came with a few key requirements (amongst many others):
Escort CVF (Area AAW)
Escort Assault Ships (Area AAW)
Escort Convoys (Area AAW)
Land Attack
The first requirement was the same as had been laid down for the Daring. The second and third were subtly different, as none of the 4 assault ships had an Ops Room designed for Area AAW, and neither did the convoys (it should be noted that with the increase in conventional forces, the REFORGER convoys were starting to return to strategic prominence, as assumptions about MAD became less certain). This led to the thought that some kind of ‘command AAW’ ship might be needed, with improved C4ISTAR facilities compared to the Darings. Admittedly, the Darings had had some space allocated for a Flag suite, and would be just about adequate in a command role, but it wasn’t specifically what they were designed for.
Accepting that the ‘Command Daring’ was going to be the way ahead (the word ‘Cruiser’ was deemed as too politically charged by the RN still), almost certainly a stretched version with a bit more space for the Flag suite, a few more pieces of the puzzle fell into place. As already mentioned, the Daring is optimised as an AAW ship. It does, however, have the capability to launch VL TLAM, courtesy of its Mk41 launchers. The only problem with this is that in the event of the Cold War going hot, all the 48 cells would be required for Garfish, leaving no space for TLAM. Stretching a Daring would provide enough space to add more Mk41s (aft as it turned out) which allows more TLAM to be carried without affecting the number of Garfish. Alternatively, if roled as a convoy escort, it could carry more Garfish, covering the AAW aspect, whilst the new corvette classes dealt with the ASW threat.
This led to the first images appearing in military publications in about 1995 of a ‘Stretched Daring’, just as Daring was coming off the slips herself. As the RN was busy conducting feasibility studies and costings, other organisations, always interested in the Navy, were conducting other studies. On the 21st of October 1995, when Daring was launched, the Sun newspaper ran a story all about the Daring, and how there were plans afoot for an even bigger sister class, and that both classes which would be bigger than the Second World War built Tiger Class. This new unnamed class attracted considerable interest from the British public, and without official consent, they soon acquired a nickname: ‘The New Tigers’, and so, the Tiger Class Cruiser was born.
Fast forward to 1999 and HMS Tiger was launched in Glasgow. The Daring production had wound down slightly, with 3 commissioned, 4 on trials, 3 fitting out and 2 still building, the last 5 at a much slower rate, leaving plenty of room for the 8 Tigers ordered to be built in shipyards throughout Britain. The increasing tension of the late 90s saw a further order of 6 ships, 4 more Tigers, and 2 more Darings, as well as the orders for the 6 Australian Darings (the Vampires) and the pair of Saudi Darings (al-Salil, the Drawn Sword Class).
Interestingly, by the time the Tigers were ordered, their development had already been paid for by the initial Daring order. Coupled with more efficient methods found in building the total production run of 32 ships, this meant that the Tigers were in fact cheaper than the Darings to build, at £550 million to the initial price of £700 million. The last 2 Darings came in at just over £400 million, all their development being paid for, and the shipyards very familiar with building them. It is interesting to note, that had the MoD only ordered 6 Darings, which was strongly rumoured when Garfish was looking at being prohibitively expensive, they would have cost upwards of £1 Billion each, roughly the price of a Tiger and Daring pair.
Type 42 (Sheffield) Class.
Batch 1.
HMS Birmingham (D86)
HMS Newcastle (D87)
HMS Glasgow (D88)
HMS Cardiff (D108)
Note: In so called ‘active reserve’/extended readiness.
Batch 2.
HMS Exeter (D89) (‘active reserve’/extended readiness)
HMS Southampton (D90)
HMS Nottingham (D91) (‘active reserve’/extended readiness)
HMS Liverpool (D92)
Batch 3.
HMS Manchester (D95)
HMS Gloucester (D96)
HMS Edinburgh (D97)
HMS York (D98)
Note: The Type 42 (Sheffield) Class has been in service in the Royal Navy since the 1970s, and has proven itself eventually to be a reliable and hardy platform. In the 1991 Gulf War, the class even earnt distinction with the first ever successful missile to missile engagement at sea, carried out by HMS Gloucester in the defence of USS Missouri. Reaching the end of their lives now, they are being replaced by the Darings and Tigers which provide a significant increase in firepower and capability. They still remain useful, and are still found on lower threat deployments, such as APT(S). Currently the first half of the class is in Reserve, manned by the RNR augmented by a regular core, which also maintains them. It is likely that when the final half of the class is replaced, and they enter reserve, that the older ships will be scrapped. Some though, will replace the Leanders in their role as Harbour Training Ships and Trials Ships.
Type 82 (Bristol) Class.
HMS Bristol (D23)
Note: In ‘active reserve’/extended readiness; flagship of the Standby Squadron. Has been mobilised to service on four times between 1993 and 2004 for exercises, using RNR personnel to fill out her company. The rest of the time she serves as a Harbour Training Ship supporting the HMS Excellent shore establishment. She hosts RNR personnel and MoD supported cadets for training and ‘experience weekends’. Was also used as a source of additional accommodation in HMNB Portsmouth, which was at a premium. As of 2005 there were no immediate plans to replace her, with a further refit planned for around 2010. However, it was planned that around 2006/2007 she would become a permanent static HTS.
Type 21 (Amazon) Class.
HMS Alacrity (F174)
HMS Avenger (F185)
Note: Serve as engineering training and sea going trials ships at Rosyth. Will transfer to Pakistani navy in 2006
Type 22 (Broadsword) Class.
Batch 1.
HMS Brilliant (F90)
HMS Brazen (F91)
Note: In ‘active reserve’/extended readiness
Batch 2 (standard).
HMS Beaver (F93)
HMS Brave (F94)
Note: ‘active reserve’/extended readiness
Batch 2 (reconstructed).
HMS Boxer (F92) (training ship)
HMS London (F95) (training ship)
HMS Sheffield (F96)
HMS Coventry (F98)
Batch 3.
HMS Cumberland (F85)
HMS Campeltown (F86)
HMS Chatham (F87)
HMS Cornwall (F99)
Note: Like their sister class, the T22 (Broadsword) Class have been in service since the 1970s. Popular with the men and latterly women of the RN due to their spacious size, they are slowly being phased out. The last 8, all at what is now called ‘Batch 3 Standard’, retain their ASW role. Now equipped with Goalkeeper, 2170 Sonar, a 4.5” Mk 8, 8x Harpoon and 2 Lynx HM.8 helos, as well as a formidable array of EW sensors and the original Sea Wolf fit, they still provide a very capable and powerful platform.
Despite the punch they still pack, the first 4 of the class have been retired to extended readiness, replaced by the Stretched T23s. Like the reserve T42s, these are manned by the RNR, with a regular core. The later ships are now starting to reach the end of their lives as well, and replacement is in the form of the Type 26 frigate. Sales of the earlier ships have been mooted, with Brazil already having bought the oldest two, with two more to follow. However, there is an element of indecision, as the RN is pushing for them to purchase T24 Loch Class frigates instead, keeping British shipyards in work. Should this happen it is likely that one or two will become Trials and Training ships, with the remainder scrapped.
Type 23 (Duke) class.
HMS Norfolk (F230)
HMS Marlborough (F233)
HMS Lancaster (F229)
HMS Argyll (F231)
HMS Iron Duke (F234)
HMS Monmouth (F235)
HMS Montrose (F236)
HMS Westminster (F237)
HMS Northumberland (F238)
HMS Richmond (F239)
HMS Somerset (F82)
HMS Grafton (F80)
HMS Sutherland (F81)
HMS Kent (F78)
HMS Portland (F79)
HMS St. Albans (F83)
‘Stretched’ Type 23 (I).
HMS Bedford (F84)
HMS Rutland (F240)
HMS Beaufort (F241)
HMS Devonshire (F242)
HMS Hamilton (F243)
HMS Lennox (F244)
HMS Rothesay (F245)
Note: The ‘Stretched’ T23 were 6 meters longer, allowing for an increase in Sea Wolf missiles from 32 to 48 missiles. The ships also had the same Mk.9 155mm gun as the T45, and a Goalkeeper CWIS amidships.
Type 12M (Leander) Class.
HMS Andromeda (F57)
HMS Hermione (F58)
HMS Jupiter (F60)
HMS Scylla (F71)
HMS Charybdis (F75)
Note: In ‘active reserve’/extended readiness, to be withdrawn to long-term reserve in 2006. Available for sale abroad. May be used as targets.
The last of the active Leanders, these ships are being replaced in reserve by the older T42s and T22s. It is likely that these will either be scrapped or used as targets. One novel use has already been suggested, and that is to sink one off the Cornish coast to provide an attraction for divers and thus boost tourism. It is not sure how seriously this idea is being taken.
Type 24 (Loch) Class.
HMS Loch Lomond (K15)
HMS Loch Achray (K16)
HMS Loch Dunvegan (K17)
HMS Loch Fada (K18)
HMS Loch Katrine (K19)
HMS Loch Glendhu (K20)
HMS Loch Fyne (K21)
HMS Loch Insh (K22)
HMS Loch Killin (K23)
HMS Loch Tarbert (K24)
(+ 4 under construction.)
Type 25 (Castle) Class.
HMS Alnwick Castle (K259)
HMS Hurst Castle (K266)
HMS Tintagel Castle (K260)
HMS Bamborough Castle (K267)
HMS Amberly Castle (K261)
HMS Hurst Castle (K268)
HMS Oxford Castle (K262)
HMS Pevensey Castle (K269)
(+ 6 building.)
Note: The increased likelihood of a more protracted and conventional war than envisaged by many people during the Cold War led many people in the RN to start thinking about the requirement to bring large amounts of personnel and equipment across from the US. Whilst many would be flown in to use prepositioned equipment, it became increasingly apparent that with the reduction in tactical nuclear weapons and resulting increase in conventional forces, that the REFORGER Convoys could end up approaching the size and importance of their Second World War forerunners. This posed a thorny question for the RN (and indeed the USN), namely, how to get them here safely. All the traditional escorts for convoys, the frigates and destroyers that had done sterling service for example during the Tanker Wars in the 80s, had a key war role escorting carriers, amphibious assault groups and ASWSTRIKEFOR, leaving none spare.
A requirement was quickly created for a cheap, low end escort class which would be able to escort convoys across the Atlantic and across the North Sea. The presence of Soviet submarines meant that there would be a requirement for ASW, namely a helicopter and a TAS. The presence of Soviet Long Range Naval Aviation created a requirement for some kind of ASMD ability, most likely a Seawolf derivative and or CIWS of some form. Unfortunately, this started to look very much like a T23, which wouldn’t be affordable in the numbers required to escort convoys adequately.
A neat solution was created when it was pointed out that it was the convoy that needed these capabilities, not the individual platform. The capabilities could be split over a couple of platforms, one specialising as AAW and C2 and one as ASW. The idea of splitting the capability had unexpected benefits. When the requirement was drawn up, as was usual, word got around the defence community. What the MoD hadn’t realised was that many of these requirements had regularly featured in demonstration designs, from BAe, VT, Yarrows etc, in the form of up-gunned OPVs and the like which they hoped to export. In fact, the AAW/C2 corvette requirement was almost entirely filled by Yarrows’ ‘Light Export Frigate’, known as the F2021 concept, reflecting its heritage.
F2021 was based on the F2000 class of frigates which Yarrows had built for export (to Malaysia as the Lekiu Class). These were a modern take on the old Vospers Mk 5 frigate. As such, when it came to creating a version for the RN, its name was changed to F2021, reflecting the fact that the RN’s version of the Mk 5 was the T21. Whilst it was originally designed with the export market in mind, a few changes were quickly made, with the 8x Mk41s removed, and replaced with VLS Seawolf, and a few other systems added, such as Harpoon. It is interesting to note at this point that all three variants of the F2000 have all been built with Sea Wolf and not the Mk41 as was in the original design. The flight deck and hangar had been designed with smaller helicopters of the size of NH90, or Lynx in mind (in particular, Yarrows had sold them to Malaysia in a partnership deal with Westland, incorporating an export derivative of the Super Lynx, and a similar deal for a further 3 sales had been lined up for Brunei). This suited the RN to a tee, as there were increasing numbers of HM.8s available with the increasing numbers of Merlins replacing them around the Fleet. This provided an almost perfect fit for the requirement, as well as being substantial enough to carry out some of the other tasks it earned, such as enforcing the oil embargo on Saddam’s Iraq and APT(N). This did leave the problem of what design to use for the TAS platform.
It was here that the RN in fact helped itself. Sitting on a shelf in Bath Foxhill was a small model of what looked like a Castle Class OPV. Closer inspection revealed it to be somewhat different. It had acquired a substantial gun, and what looked suspiciously like a TAS on the stern. This closer inspection was in fact carried out by the head of DE&S, whilst waiting to be briefed on the difficulties of finding a suitable design. Despite the fact that he was an Army General, he remarked that ‘there appeared to be a perfectly good design outside’. This caused a mild flurry of activity as the civil servants and naval architects found out what he was referring to, and then spent a while kicking themselves for forgetting all about CNC’s proposal from the 1980s for the Castle Class as a TAS tug. A small amount of work was carried out and the New Castles were born.
The New Castles did pose a few problems, mainly that the production line had been stopped, not just for the hull, but also for much of the equipment. However, this was easily remedied, as the hull was a very simple design, and Paxman Diesels, whilst no longer producing the Valenta and Ventura lines, was producing diesels with a similar size footprint, but much improved performance. In fact, the new class of diesel was so successful that it was retro fitted into the T23s to replace their Venturas. The 105mm gun was taken from the Centurions, many of which were still in storage, and the TAS fitted was 2087, as fitted to T23. Whilst this is a very expensive sonar, the RN was beginning to see some real advantages from the mass production of it, including increased reliability, improved performance as the increasing number of operators learnt its foibles, and a significant reduction in price. Even the US was impressed, something borne out by the fact that just before WW3 broke out, the USN was getting ready to sign a purchase agreement for their ASW requirements.
The T24 Loch Class is looking likely have a few foreign orders, with Brazil interested in them, and New Zealand interested in replacing their ANZAC Class frigates with them, as well as the initial sales to Malaysia and Brunei.
The T25 Castle Class has had minor export success, with the RAN’s Diamantina Class coastal frigates being an Australian built version, and a similar variant is also in service with the RNZN.
Mine Countermeasures Vessels.
The Royal Navy retains a substantial mine hunting force, probably the world’s largest, and certainly the most experienced. The Sandown is the mainstay of the MCM fleet, supported by the Hunt and Black Swan classes. The River class is slowly being withdrawn from service as they are replaced by new build Sandowns and are expected to be gone by 2007. The experiment with hovercraft (MCM(H)s) has been deemed to be a success, providing a speed of transit to minefields that MCMVs have traditionally lacked. Based out of West Wales, the Black Swans are amongst those vessels which have been moved from ‘traditional’ base port areas. The move to West Wales was driven by a need to reduce transit times to the Western Approaches and Irish Sea and limited space in Devonport. As well as this the RN had to move the MCM[H]s out of major population areas because of the noise they create, and West Wales was the most cost-effective option available.
This move by the MCM[H]s has been coupled with a move from Portsmouth and Rosyth of small ‘composite squadrons’ of MCMVs and patrol vessels to Tilbury and Hull respectively. Whilst improving coverage of the UK’s east coast ports and the Thames Estuary, which it was realised were particularly vulnerable to mining, it has also raised the RN’s profile in communities that are far from its recent heartlands. They have proved popular drafts with many sailors from these regions volunteering for service there, as it takes them closer to home. The basing of fishery patrol vessels in the ports with the vessels they protect has helped engender a feeling of respect, as the fishermen increasingly feel that they are protected by ‘their’ ship, and not harassed by the government, as was a frequent complaint previously.
The remaining River Class are likely to be replaced in their Patrol role by Tynes in what will be a name for name replacement.
Hunt Class.
HMS Brecon (M29)
HMS Ledbury (M30)
HMS Cattistock (M31)
HMS Cottesmore (M32)
HMS Brocklesby (M33)
HMS Middleton (M34)
HMS Dulverton (M35)
HMS Biscester (M36)
HMS Chiddingford (M37)
HMS Atherstone (M38)
HMS Hurworth (M39)
HMS Berkeley (M40)
HMS Quorn (M41)
River Class.
HMS Waveney (M2003)
HMS Carron (M2004)
HMS Dovey (M2005)
HMS Helford (M2006)
HMS Blackwater (M2008) (Northern Ireland Squadron)
HMS Itchen (M2009) (Northern Ireland Squadron)
HMS Spey (M2013) (Northern Ireland Squadron)
HMS Arun (M2014) (Northern Ireland Squadron)
Note: Most assigned to the RNR manned 10th MCM Squadron. Those assigned to the Northern Ireland Squadron are RN crewed and would return to the 10th MCMS in wartime.
Sandown Class.
HMS Sandown (M101)
HMS Inverness (M102)
HMS Cromer (M103)
HMS Walney (M104)
HMS Bridport (M105)
HMS Penzance (M106)
HMS Pembroke (M107)
HMS Grimsby (M108)
HMS Bangor (M109)
HMS Ramsey (M110)
HMS Blyth (M111)
HMS Shoreham (M112)
HMS Peterhead (M113) (RNR crewed)
HMS Whitby (M114) (RNR crewed)
HMS Anstruther (M115) (RNR crewed)
HMS Eyemouth (M116) (RNR crewed)
HMS Hartlepool (M117) (RNR crewed)
(+ 3 under construction).
Black Swan (MCM [H]) Class.
HMS Black Swan (M46)
HMS Erne (M47)
HMS Amethyst (M48)
HMS Snipe (M49)
HMS Sparrow (M50)
HMS Whimbrel (M51)
HMS Flamingo (M52)
HMS Ibis (M53)
HMS Crane (M54)
HMS Hart (M55)
HMS Hind (M56)
HMS Sparrow (M57)
Stork (MCM [H]) Class.
HMS Stork (M42)
HMS Egret (M43)
HMS Bittern (M44)
HMS Pelican (M45)
Note: All but M44 in reserve at Faslane, not likely to go to sea again. M44 used as general runabout between Faslane and Northern Ireland.
Patrol Vessels.
Tyne Class.
Batch 1
HMS Tyne (P286)
HMS Severn (P287)
HMS Mersey (P288)
Modified Batch 1
HMS Clyde (P257) (Falkland Islands patrol vessel)
Batch 2
HMS Forth (P222)
HMS Trent (P224)
HMS Tay (P225)
HMS Tamar (P226) (Under construction)
Batch 3
HMS Spey (P227) (Under construction)
HMS Thames (P228) (Under construction)
HMS Tees (P229) (Under construction)
HMS Foyle (P230) (Ordered)
Note: The Tyne Class has had an interesting gestation. Initially conceived as a pure replacement for the Castle Class, they are considerably more powerful than their predecessors, as well as much faster. They are to also replace the ageing Peacocks, and one will provide a more powerful centrepiece to the Cyprus Squadron (although in both cases, these vessels will be fitted for but not with Harpoon or torpedoes, as they will not be required in these theatres). In addition, it seems likely that they will replace the Island Class in their ELINT role (these will temporarily be relieved by the Castles) and the Sentinel in Faslane. This decision to expand the remit of what was initially going to be only a Falkland Island guardship and a fishery protection vessel has been taken on cost grounds. In the long term, it is cheaper for the RN to reduce the number of classes it operates, particularly with regards to older platforms which had little commonality with their contemporaries, let alone ships built several decades later. This desire to standardise has been manifest in several procurement decisions, where a slightly more expensive platform may have been bought, but it allows for a more effective support system.
Peacock Class.
HMS Peacock (P239)
HMS Plover (P240)
HMS Starling (P241)
Note: Assigned to the Gibraltar Squadron.
Castle Class.
HMS Leeds Castle (P258)
HMS Dumbarton Castle (P265)
Note: Will be withdrawn from patrol duties when remaining Tyne class enters service. Will replace remaining Island class in ELINT role.
Island Class.
HMS Anglesey (P277)
HMS Shetland (P298)
HMS Orkney (P299)
Note: Serve in ELINT role, marking Soviet ‘trawlers’ in UK territorial waters, to be replaced by Castle class OPVs.
Sentinel Class.
HMS Sentinel (P246)
Note: Employed in the Clyde area on submarine escort duties – and ‘marking’ of Soviet vessels off N. Ireland.
Scimitar Class.
HMS Scimitar (P292) (ex-MV Grey Fox)
HMS Sabre (P293) (ex-MV Grey Wolf)
Note: Assigned to the Gibraltar Squadron.
Archer Class.
HMS Archer (P264) (East Scotland URNU)
HMS Biter (P270) (Manchester & Salford URNU)
HMS Smiter (P272) (Oxford URNU)
HMS Pursuer (P273) (Glasgow URNU)
HMS Blazer (P297) (Southampton URNU & Portsmouth URNU)
HMS Dasher (P280) (Bristol URNU)
HMS Puncher (P291) (London URNU)
HMS Charger (P292) (Liverpool URNU)
HMS Ranger (P293) (Sussex & Brighton Universities' URNU)
HMS Trumpeter (P294) (Cambridge URNU)
HMS Tracker (P274) (Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron)
HMS Raider (P275) (Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron)
Note: Serve as inshore patrol boats in wartime. P274 & P275 have been armed with 3x GPMG and fitted with ballistic armour.
Attacker Class.
HMS Attacker (P281) (Cyprus Squadron)
HMS Chaser (P282) (Wales URNU)
HMS Fencer (P283) (Cyprus Squadron)
HMS Hunter (P284) (Yorkshire Universities URNU)
HMS Striker (P285) (Cyprus Squadron)
Note: Cyprus Squadron boats armed with three GPMGs and fitted with ballistic armour.
Support and survey Ships.
Challenger Class.
HMS Challenger (K07)
Note: ‘Seabed Operations Vessel’.
Apollo Class.
HMS Apollo (A160)
HMS Ariadne (A161)
HMS Latona (A162)
Note: SWATH ‘sonar support ships’, similar to US T-AGOS ships.
Echo Class.
HMS Echo (H87)
HMS Enterprise (H88)
HMS Emerald (H89)
Note: Survey vessels with a secondary role as MCMV command vessel.
Endurance Class.
HMS Endurance (A171)
Note: Ice Patrol ship and British Antarctic Survey Guardship.
Scott Class.
HMS Scott (H131)
Note: Largest of the RN’s Survey vessel with a secondary role as MCMV command vessel. Had an ice-strengthened hull, which allowed her to stand in for Endurance when the latter was unavailable.
Roebuck Class.
HMS Roebuck (H130)
Note: Survey vessel with a secondary role as MCMV command vessel.
Gleaner Class.
HMS Gleaner (H86)
Note: An inshore survey vessel, which is the smallest commissioned ship in the RN.
Manly Class.
HMS Manly (A92)
HMS Mentor (A94)
HMS Milbrook (A97)
HMS Messina (A107)
Note: A92 to A97 former Fleet Tenders attached to HMS Raleigh for new entry training. A107 RM training ship, based at Poole.
Royal Yacht.
HMY Britannia
Note: It had been intended to decommission and replace the current Royal Yacht around 1997. However, the cost of a modern replacement was becoming prohibitive with all of the other pressures on the defence budget. However, a manufacturer of diesel engines offered a set free of charge if the MOD and Royal Household would pay to re-engine Britannia, an offer that Her Majesty and the Government accepted. As well as her publicised roles it is less well known that in the event of a nuclear attack, she would carry one of the dispersed groups headed by a senior minister. It is not true, however that she would carry HM the Queen.
Wartime Acquisitions
Surface Ships
Leith Class
HMS Leith (K28) (ex-Nakhoda Ragam)
HMS Aberdeen (K29) (ex-Bendahara Sakam)
HMS Dundee (K30) (ex-Jerambak)
Note: A corvette variant of the F2000 class built for the Royal Brunei Navy. Brunei refused to accept delivery of the ships, claiming that they did not meet the required specifications. The trio were laid up at Scotstoun, Glasgow while the dispute was the subject of arbitration. Shortly after the outbreak of war, the MoD requisitioned the ships for service with the Royal Navy. While capable vessels, British sailors found them cramped, as they had been designed for people of smaller stature.
Ton Class
HMS Bronington (M1115)
Note: One of four surviving Ton class minesweepers/hunters, the vessel had been preserved at Birkenhead. Was requisitioned for mine hunting and local patrol duties in the Mersey.
Auxiliary Mine Sweepers
HMS Perth (M58)
HMS Exmouth (M59)
Note: Australian built AMS based on Japanese longliner fishing vessel designs. Two vessels acquired so that the RN could assess the design. Names chosen after locations in both countries that share a name. Used the Australian Minesweeping and Support System emulation sweep (AMASS) system, but could also use electrical and Oropesa sweeping.
Non-seagoing vessels.
Note: Not a comprehensive list. Other non-seagoing ships also still exist, e.g. museum ships, accommodation hulks etc.
Fearless Class.
HMS Fearless (L10)
HMS Intrepid (L11)
Note: Both are in long-term reserve; L10 at 30 days’ notice, L11 used for spare parts and amphibious trials. Neither ship likely to go to sea again, except to breakers.
‘C’ Class.
HMS Caroline
Note: RNR Headquarters and Training Ship berthed in Alexandra Dock in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast. To be replaced by ‘Stone Frigate’ by 2011. May become museum ship after that; was last surviving ship to take part in the Battle of Jutland.
Type 12M (Leander) Class.
HMS Cleopatra (F28) (Static trials ship at Portsmouth)
HMS Sirius (F40) (Harbour Training Ship at Gosport)
HMS Danae (F47) (Harbour Training Ship at Gosport)
HMS Argonaut (F56) (Harbor Training and Trials at Rosyth)
HMS Penelope (F127) (Harbor Training and Trials at Rosyth)
River Class.
Hindostan (ex-HMS Orwell (M2011))
Note: BRNC static training ship.
Oberon Class.
HMS Orpheus (S11)
Notes: Harbour Training Boat at Gosport, last Oberon class in RN service.
Future Warships
Submarines
Successor to Vanguard
(S32)
(S33)
(S34)
(S34)
Note: The class will, initially at least, be armed with the Trident D-5(LE) missile and share a Common Missile Compartment with the American SSBN (X). Although, the US version will have twenty-four tubes, rather than the sixteen the British boats will have. Both countries are also working together on new warhead designs for the Life Extended D-5 missile.
Follow on to Astute.
Note: Likely to be an improved ‘Batch 2’ Astute.
Amphibious Ships.
LPH (R)
Note: A requirement exists to replace both of Ocean class LPH. Early studies were underway in 2005 into a vessel of around 30,000 tons.
LPD (R)
Note: The Albion class will need replacement in the late 2020s, or early 2030s, so, as with LPH (R), the RN had in 2005 started to study what new class of LPD might look like.
Surface Warships.
Type 26 (City) Class.
Batch 1.
(F88)
(F89)
(F90)
Note: The ‘City’ Class are due to take over from the Type 23 as the backbone of the frigate force, while also replacing the Type 22. While no names have been publicly announced, the RN has confirmed that the class will be named after British cities.
Type 31.
Note: The designation had been set aside for a class of light frigate intended to replace the Type 24 Loch class.
Patrol Vessels
Modified River Class.
Batch 1
(P231)
(P232)
(P233)
Note: Larger, modified versions of the Batch 2 and 3 River Class. It is planned that they will replace the Type 25.
