What Does The Royal Navy Do Today? Their Own Words

The Sharp End

In recent years, personnel of the
Royal Navy and Royal Marines
have seen active service in the
Gulf region, the Balkans, Afghanistan
and Sierra Leone, to name just a few.

Active Duty In UK Waters

The Royal Navy protects UK ports
and shipping from the threats of
terrorism, drug smuggling, illegal
fishing and pollution. To do this
our ships, submarines and aircraft
patrol an area of sea that covers
over 80,000 square miles around
our coastline.

Policing The World’s Oceans

Ships of the Royal Navy regularly
patrol waters around the
Caribbean, Cyprus, Gibraltar,
the Gulf and the Falkland Islands
to provide defence or act as a
deterrent against terrorism, illegal
immigration and drug trafficking.
Royal Marines Commandos also
regularly work alongside their
counterparts in the Surface Fleet as
members of the Fleet Standby Rifle
Troop – a rapid-response Task
Group, which has the specialist
skills to board and search ships
quickly and effectively, if required.

Nuclear Deterrent

Trident is the weapon system that
provides the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
The Submariners of the Royal
Navy’s ballistic submarines are
the sole custodians of this system.
They operate out of a Naval Base
in Faslane, Scotland.

Humanitarian Relief

Following recent catastrophes,
Royal Navy personnel have helped
restore power to hospitals, assisted
hard-pressed medical teams and
cleared runways so that emergency
relief flights could land. In addition
to helping with these relief efforts,
the Royal Marines also act to
secure disaster-hit areas so that
aid teams can operate safely
and efficiently.