In this snapshot of the Royal Navy and RFA’s current fleet status, we see the status of individual ships and what they’re up to.
From the formidable Queen Elizabeth-class carriers to the nimble Archer-class patrol boats, this analysis reveals the number of active and inactive vessels across each distinct class.
A special word of gratitude goes to the diligent efforts of Open Source Intelligence analyst and renowned UK naval commentator, Britsky (@TBrit90). His detailed work and commitment to transparency in naval affairs have proven invaluable in compiling this report. We deeply appreciate his permission to utilise the information for this article, providing our readers with an insightful glimpse into the state of the Royal Navy and RFA. His contributions to naval discourse continue to enhance public understanding and foster informed discussions.”
Of the Royal Navy and RFA surface fleet, approximately 29.41% of the ships are currently inactive, encompassing vessels undergoing maintenance, refit, and other non-operational statuses. It’s important to note that the article here does not include information on the UK’s nuclear submarines, which form a critical component of the nation’s naval defence strategy. The information can be found in the original data, though.
https://twitter.com/TBrit90/status/1713366920316035218
Anyway, here’s the breakdown.
Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 2
- Currently Active: 2 (100% of the class)
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Queen Elizabeth: Currently deployed in the North Sea as part of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG).
- HMS Prince of Wales: Deployed to the US, currently undergoing trials.
Albion Class landing platform docks
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 2
- Currently Active: 0 (0% of the class)
- Currently Inactive: 2 (100% of the class)
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Albion: Currently inactive, with its location in Devonport.
- HMS Bulwark: Also located in Devonport and currently marked as inactive. However, it’s worth noting that HMS Bulwark is in the process of reactivation.
Type 45 Destroyers
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 6
- Currently Active: 3 (50% of the class)
- Currently Inactive: 3 (50% of the class)
Reasons for Inactivity:
- Undergoing Refit: 3
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Daring: In refit, currently in Portsmouth.
- HMS Dauntless: Active, deployed to the US for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
- HMS Diamond: Active, deployed in the North Sea as part of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG).
- HMS Dragon: In refit, currently in Portsmouth.
- HMS Defender: In refit in Portsmouth, with upgrades for the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM).
- HMS Duncan: Active, deployed in the Mediterranean as part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2).
Type 23 Frigates
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 11
- Currently Active: 5 (45% of the class)
- Currently Inactive: 6 (55% of the class)
Reasons for Inactivity:
- Undergoing Refit: 4
- Undergoing Maintenance: 2
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Argyll: In refit, currently in Devonport.
- HMS Lancaster: Active, deployed in the Persian Gulf.
- HMS Iron Duke: Active in UK waters.
- HMS Westminster: Inactive, stationed at Devonport.
- HMS Northumberland: Undergoing maintenance at Devonport.
- HMS Richmond: Undergoing maintenance at Devonport.
- HMS Somerset: Undergoing maintenance at Devonport.
- HMS Sutherland: In refit at Devonport.
- HMS Kent: Active in UK waters.
- HMS Portland: Active in UK waters, serving in the TAPS role, primarily monitoring submarine activity around HMNB Clyde.
- HMS St Albans: In refit at Devonport.
River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 8
- Currently Active: 8 (100% of the class)
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Tyne: Active, patrolling UK waters.
- HMS Severn: Active in UK waters, primarily for training purposes.
- HMS Mersey: Active, patrolling UK waters.
- HMS Forth: Deployed in the Atlantic, serving as a Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel (FIPV).
- HMS Medway: Deployed in the Falklands, serving as a Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel (FIPV).
- HMS Trent: Deployed in West Africa, operating from Gibraltar.
- HMS Tamar: Deployed to Australia, with operations in the Pacific region.
- HMS Spey: Deployed in the South China Sea (SCS), operating in the Pacific region.
Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 6
- Currently Active: 3 (50% of the class)
- Currently Inactive: 3 (50% of the class)
Reasons for Inactivity:
- Undergoing Refit: 2
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Ledbury: In refit, currently in Portsmouth.
- HMS Cattistock: Active, operating in UK waters.
- HMS Brocklesby: In refit, currently in Portsmouth.
- HMS Middleton: Deployed in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Kipion.
- HMS Chiddingfold: Deployed in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Kipion.
- HMS Hurworth: Active, operating in UK waters.
Sandown Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 2
- Currently Active: 2 (100% of the class)
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Penzance: Active, operating in UK waters from the Clyde.
- HMS Bangor: Deployed in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Kipion.
Archer Class Patrol Boats
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 16
- Currently Active: 15 (93.75% of the class)
- Currently Inactive: 1 (6.25% of the class)
Reasons for Inactivity:
- Undergoing Maintenance: 1
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Archer: Undergoing maintenance in South Shields.
- HMS Biter: Active, operating from Liverpool.
- HMS Smiter: Active, operating from Portsmouth.
- HMS Pursuer: Active, operating from Glasgow.
- HMS Blazer: Active, operating from Portsmouth.
- HMS Dasher: Active, operating from Portsmouth.
- HMS Puncher: Active, operating from Portsmouth.
- HMS Charger: Active, operating from Liverpool.
- HMS Ranger: Active, operating from Portsmouth.
- HMS Trumpeter: Active, operating from Ipswich.
- HMS Express: Active, operating from Cardiff.
- HMS Example: Active, operating from Gateshead.
- HMS Explorer: Active, operating from Hull.
- HMS Exploit: Active, operating from Portsmouth.
- HMS Tracker: Active, stationed at Clyde.
- HMS Raider: Active, stationed at Clyde.
Cutlass Class Patrol Boats
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 2
- Currently Active: 2 (100% of the class)
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Cutlass: Active, stationed and operating in Gibraltar.
- HMS Dagger: Active, stationed and operating in Gibraltar.
Royal Navy Survey Vessels
Type & Role: The Royal Navy’s survey vessels are specialised ships of various classes designed for the crucial task of hydrographic and oceanographic surveying.
Composition & Operational Readiness:
- Total Number: 3
- Currently Active: 3 (100% of the type)
Status of Individual Ships:
- HMS Scott: An ocean survey vessel, currently active and operating in UK waters.
- HMS Protector: A polar research and survey vessel, currently active and operating in UK waters.
- HMS Magpie: A hydrographic survey vessel, currently active and operating in UK waters.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)
Tide Class fleet replenishment tankers
- Active: 2 (RFA Tidespring, RFA Tideforce)
- Inactive: 2 (RFA Tiderace, RFA Tidesurge under refit)
Wave Class fleet replenishment tanks
- Active: 0
- Inactive:
- 2 (RFA Wave Knight, RFA Wave Ruler)
Fort Class stores ship
- Active: 0
- Inactive: 1 (RFA Fort Victoria)
Bay Class landing ship docks
- Active: 3 (RFA Lyme Bay, RFA Mounts Bay, RFA Cardigan Bay)
Other major vessels:
- RFA Argus: Active supporting the Littoral Response Group (South) (LRG(S)).
- RFA Proteus: Currently active in the UK.
- RFA Stirling Castle: Active in the UK.
