Global operations

We maintain a constant presence in the Gulf region – from a dedicated mine warfare task force committed to keeping sea lanes open to a frigate which operates with international warships and task groups to safeguard shipping and intercept smugglers trafficking drugs and weapons, threatening regional and global instability.

With British Overseas Territories across the region, the Royal Navy maintains a year-round presence in the Caribbean with two distinct missions: to work with our friends and allies to tackle the scourge of drug trafficking; and from June through to the end of November, standing ready to help in the event of storms ravaging the many island communities. 

The Royal Navy provides constant reassurance, security and support to the British citizens of the Falkland Islands and neighbouring South Georgia courtesy of a River-class patrol vessel. During the austral summer – November through to March – the Navy’s unique icebreaker and survey ship HMS Protector also deploys to the region to conduct her scientific mission in Antarctica focusing on the safety of seafarers and research into the environment and climate change. 

This is the Royal Navy’s ‘back yard’ and the focal point of operations, maintaining a 24/7/365 watch on potentially hostile activity above, on and below the waves, working side-by-side with our NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) allies, often in challenging conditions from the grey wastes of the Atlantic and bitter Arctic Ocean to the snow-covered mountains and valleys of northern Norway where Royal Marines Commandos can be found every winter as the UK’s cold weather warfare specialists.

With Gibraltar serving as a vital hub and forward base for operations, the Royal Navy maintains a permanent presence safeguarding the western gateway to the Mediterranean, as well as committing warships working independently or with NATO allies to guarantee the safe passage of shipping and readiness to respond to international incidents from the Gulf of Guinea and the length and breadth of the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. 

With the renewed strategic importance of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to the UK’s security and prosperity, the Royal Navy has returned to the region by maintaining two warships constantly on patrol typically between India and the western Pacific Rim, upholding shared values with our allies, renewing old friendships and forging new ones with remote nations and communities. In addition, the UK can deploy the Carrier Strike Group – it’s most potent naval force – to the region, as it did with HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021.