Editing Royal Navy (section)

===Locations===
{{Main|List of Royal Navy shore establishments}}
[[File:HMNB Clyde.jpg|thumb|[[HMNB Clyde]], [[Faslane]], home of the {{sclass|Vanguard|submarine|0}} submarines]]

Historically the Navy had a number of geographical commands, each under a Commander-in-Chief, and often informally referred to as "stations." Over 300 years to 1971 these commands were repeatedly reduced in number, until they were merged into a single entity. The former stations of the Royal Navy included the [[East Indies Station]] (1744–1831); [[East Indies and China Station]] (1832–1865); East Indies Station (1865–1913); Egypt and East Indies Station (1913–1918); East Indies Station (1918–1941). Later the Eastern Fleet became the East Indies Fleet. In 1952, after the Second World War ended, the East Indies Fleet became the [[Far East Fleet (United Kingdom)|Far East Fleet]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Graham |title=Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947–2013:1. ROYAL NAVY ORGANISATION AND DEPLOYMENT FROM 1947 |url=http://www.naval-history.net/xGW-RNOrganisation1947-2013.htm#1 |website=www.naval-history.net |publisher=Gordon Smith, 12 July 2015 |access-date=10 July 2018}}</ref> In 1971 the final merger into a single fleet took place with Far East Fleet merged into the larger single formation under the orders of the [[Commander-in-Chief Fleet]] (CINCFLEET).<ref>{{cite journal |title = Maritime Affairs |journal = The Army Quarterly and Defence Journal |date = 1971 |volume = 101 |page = 404<!-- |access-date = 2 January 2018--> }}</ref>

The Royal Navy currently operates from three bases in the United Kingdom where commissioned ships are based; [[HMNB Portsmouth|Portsmouth]], [[HMNB Clyde|Clyde]] and [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport]], [[Plymouth]]—Devonport is the largest operational naval base in the UK and Western Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.3109 |title=HMNB Devonport |work=The Royal Navy |access-date=18 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017034600/http://royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.3109 |archive-date=17 October 2007 }}</ref> Each base hosts a flotilla command under a [[Commodore (RN)|commodore]],  responsible for the provision of operational capability using the ships and submarines within the flotilla. UK Commando Force is similarly commanded by a [[brigadier]] and based in Plymouth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-marines/3-commando-brigade.html|title=3 Commando Brigade|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref>

The Royal Navy has historically maintained [[Royal Navy Dockyards]] around the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.581/viewPage/2 |title=Royal Navy Dockyards |publisher=National Maritime Museum |access-date=10 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031552/http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.581/viewPage/2 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Dockyard]]s of the Royal Navy are harbours where ships are overhauled and refitted. Only four are operating today; at Devonport, [[Faslane Naval Base|Faslane]], [[Rosyth Dockyard|Rosyth]] and at Portsmouth.<ref name=UKNDABlackham>{{Cite journal |author=Vice-Admiral Sir [[Jeremy Blackham]] |title=The Royal Navy at the Brink |version=1 |publisher=[[Royal United Services Institute]] |date=13 March 2007 |journal=RUSI Journal |url=http://www.uknda.org/docs/uknda_royal_navy_at_the_brink.pdf |access-date=10 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710014719/http://www.uknda.org/docs/uknda_royal_navy_at_the_brink.pdf |archive-date=10 July 2007}}</ref> A Naval Base Review was undertaken in 2006 and early 2007, the outcome being announced by Secretary of State for Defence, [[Des Browne]], confirming that all would remain however some reductions in manpower were anticipated.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6916113.stm| title=Devonport 'secure' says minister |publisher=BBC |date=25 July 2007 |access-date=10 August 2007}}</ref>

The academy where initial training for future Royal Navy officers takes place is Britannia Royal Naval College, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon. Basic training for future [[Naval rating|ratings]] takes place at HMS ''Raleigh'' at [[Torpoint]], [[Cornwall]], close to HMNB Devonport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/where-we-are/training-establishments/hms-raleigh/history|title=HMS Raleigh: history|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917124100/https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/where-we-are/training-establishments/hms-raleigh/history|archive-date=17 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Significant numbers of naval personnel are employed within the Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support and on exchange with the Army and Royal Air Force. Small numbers are also on exchange within other government departments and with allied fleets, such as the United States Navy. The navy also posts personnel in small units around the world to support ongoing operations and maintain standing commitments. Nineteen personnel are stationed in Gibraltar to support the small [[Gibraltar Squadron]], the RN's only permanent overseas squadron. Some personnel are also based at [[East Cove Military Port]] and [[RAF Mount Pleasant]] in the Falkland Islands to support APT(S). Small numbers of personnel are based in [[Diego Garcia]] (Naval Party 1002), Miami (NP 1011 – [[AUTEC]]), Singapore (NP 1022), [[Dubai]] (NP 1023) and elsewhere.<ref>[http://www.bfpo.mod.uk/bfponumbers_ships.htm British Forces Post Office – Ship/unit numbers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517063856/http://www.bfpo.mod.uk/bfponumbers_ships.htm |date=17 May 2010 }} 4 February 2011</ref>

On 6 December 2014, the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] announced it would expand the UK's naval facilities in [[Bahrain]] to support larger Royal Navy ships deployed to the Persian Gulf. Once completed, it became the UK's first permanent military base located [[East of Suez]] since it withdrew from the region in 1971. The base is reportedly large enough to accommodate Type 45 destroyers and ''Queen Elizabeth''-class aircraft carriers.<ref>{{cite news|title=UK-Bahrain sign landmark defence agreement|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-bahrain-sign-landmark-defence-agreement|access-date=6 December 2014|publisher=Foreign & Commonwealth Office|date=5 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209030053/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-bahrain-sign-landmark-defence-agreement|archive-date=9 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=UK to establish £15m permanent Mid East military base|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30355953|access-date=6 December 2014|work=BBC News|date=6 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124233435/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30355953|archive-date=24 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=East of Suez, West from Helmand: British Expeditionary Force and the next SDSR|url=http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/sites/default/files/ORGDec14EastSuezWestHelmand_0.pdf|publisher=Oxford Research Group|access-date=22 May 2015|date=December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702074143/http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/sites/default/files/ORGDec14EastSuezWestHelmand_0.pdf|archive-date=2 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Bases in the United Kingdom====
[[File:HMS Vigilant alongside Faslane Naval Base. MOD 45147682.jpg|thumb|{{HMS|Vigilant|S30|6}} alongside [[HMNB Clyde|Faslane Naval Base]]]]
[[File:Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force Merlin HC3-3A, British Army Wildcat AH1 (28418553256).jpg|alt=|thumb|A [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HC3]] and [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Wildcat AH1]], both part of the Commando Helicopter Force, at [[RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)|RNAS Yeovilton]]]]
*[[HMNB Devonport]] (HMS ''Drake'') – This is currently the largest operational naval base in Western Europe. [[Devonport, Plymouth|Devonport]]'s flotilla consists of most of the [[Type 23 frigate]]s. In the past, Devonport was also home to some of the RN's submarine service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trafalgar Class {{!}} Royal Navy|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/submarines/attack-submarines/trafalgar-class|access-date=31 October 2020|website=Royal Navy|language=en}}</ref>

*[[HMNB Portsmouth]] (HMS ''Nelson'') – This is home to the Queen Elizabeth Class supercarriers. [[Portsmouth]] is also the home to the Type 45 Daring Class Destroyer and a moderate fleet of Type 23 frigates as well as [[Overseas Patrol Squadron]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/where-we-are/naval-base/portsmouth|title=HMNB Portsmouth|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=30 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230225809/https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/where-we-are/naval-base/portsmouth|archive-date=30 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[HMNB Clyde]] (HMS ''Neptune'') – This is situated in Central Scotland along the [[River Clyde]]. Faslane is known as the home of the UK's nuclear deterrent, as it maintains the fleet of ''Vanguard''-class ballistic missile (SSBN) submarines, as well as the fleet of ''Astute''-class fleet (SSN) submarines. Faslane will become the home to all Royal Navy submarines, and thus the RN Submarine Service. As a result, 43 Commando (Fleet Protection Group) are stationed in Faslane alongside to guard the base as well as The Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport. The newly established Mine and Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG) is also based within Faslane as a successor to the Sandown class mine hunters. Moreover, Faslane is also home to Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron (FPBS) who operates a fleet of Archer class patrol vessels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/where-we-are/naval-base/clyde|title=HMNB Clyde|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=30 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230230205/https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/where-we-are/naval-base/clyde|archive-date=30 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/operations/united-kingdom/faslane-patrol-boat-squadron|title=Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron {{!}} Royal Navy|website=Royal Navy|language=en|access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

*[[RNAS Yeovilton]] (HMS ''Heron'') – Yeovilton is home to Commando Helicopter Force and Wildcat Maritime Force.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://royal-naval-association.co.uk/news/new-navy-wildcat-helicopter-squadron-commissions-at-rnas-yeovilton/|title=New Navy Wildcat Helicopter Squadron commissions at RNAS Yeovilton|newspaper=Royal Naval Association|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref>

*[[RNAS Culdrose]] (HMS ''Seahawk'') – This is home to Mk2 Merlins, primarily tasked with conducting Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Early Airborne Warning (EAW). [[RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)|Culdrose]] is also currently the largest helicopter base in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/bases-and-stations/air-stations/rnas-culdrose|title=RNAS Culdrose {{!}} Royal Navy|website=Royal Navy|language=en|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref>
*{{HMS|Gannet|stone frigate|6}} – Previously known as RNAS Prestwick.  Previously used for Defence of the Clyde and Search and Rescue tasking, it is now used primarily as a FOB for ASW Merlins deployed from RNAS Culdrose to support the SSBN and defence of the Clyde tasking.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ripley|first=Tim|date=6 March 2020|title=UK Royal Navy enhances Prestwick helicopter base|url=https://janes.com/article/94755/uk-royal-navy-enhances-prestwick-helicopter-base|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408021213/https://janes.com/article/94755/uk-royal-navy-enhances-prestwick-helicopter-base|archive-date=8 April 2020|access-date=19 July 2021|website=[[Jane's]]}}</ref>

====Bases abroad====
[[File:ZH850 - WM-462 EHI EH-101 Merlin HM2 (Mk111) (cn 50125-RN30) Royal Navy. (10475633143).jpg|alt=|thumb|A Royal Navy [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HM2]] at [[RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)|RNAS Culdrose]]]]
* UK National Support Element (Bahrain) – The home port for vessels deployed on [[Operation Kipion]] and acts as the hub of the Royal Navy's operations in the [[Persian Gulf]], [[Red Sea]] and [[Indian Ocean]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bahraindefence.com/news/new-royal-navy-operations-hub-opens-in-gulf|title=New Royal Navy operations hub opens in Gulf|website=BIDEC 2019|language=en-GB|access-date=13 November 2019|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113165806/https://www.bahraindefence.com/news/new-royal-navy-operations-hub-opens-in-gulf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Vessels based there include the [[9th Mine Counter-Measures Squadron|9th Mine Countermeasures Squadron]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2013/september/05/130905-reborn-identity|title=Reborn Identity for Mine Countermeasure Squadron {{!}} Royal Navy|website=Royal Navy|language=en|access-date=13 November 2019}}</ref> and (as of early 2023) {{HMS|Lancaster|F229|6}}.<ref>{{cite tweet |title=Port Crew have taken over from Starboard Crew on completion of HMS Lancaster's first crew rotation as the @RoyalNavy Forward Deployed T23 Frigate|user=HMSLANCASTER |author=HMS ''Lancaster'' |number=1601151113260302337 |date=9 December 2022 |access-date=15 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2018/october/26/181026-montrose-deploys|title=HMS ''Montrose'' to become first forward-deployed frigate in the Middle East {{!}} Royal Navy|website=Royal Navy|language=en|access-date=13 November 2019}}</ref>
* [[UK Joint Logistics Support Base]] ([[Oman]]) – A logistical support facility which is strategically located in the [[Middle East]] but outside the [[Persian Gulf]].<ref name="UKJLSB">{{cite news |title=Defence Secretary strengthens ties between UK and Oman |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-strengthens-ties-between-uk-and-oman |agency=Ministry of Defence |date=28 August 2017}}</ref>
* [[British Defence Singapore Support Unit]] ([[Singapore]]) – A remnant of [[HMNB Singapore]] which repairs and resupplies Royal Navy ships in the [[Asia Pacific]].<ref name="BDSSU">{{cite web |title=Director of Overseas Bases |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permanent-joint-operating-bases-pjobs/fd |website=gov.uk |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=13 October 2020 |date=18 December 2019}}</ref> It is the primary logistics support hub for the Royal Navy offshore patrol vessels assigned to the Asia-Pacific region, {{HMS|Tamar|P233|6}} and {{HMS|Spey|P234|6}}.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Euan |title=Reflections on the Royal Navy's Indo-Pacific engagement |url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2021/10/reflections-on-the-royal-navys-indo-pacific-engagement |access-date=20 October 2021 |work=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |date=19 October 2021}}</ref>
* [[British Forces Gibraltar#HM Dockyard, Gibraltar|HMNB Gibraltar]] – A current Royal Navy dockyard in [[Gibraltar]] which is still used for docking, repairs, training and resupply.<ref name="British Forces Gibraltar">{{cite web |title="FOI(A) regarding British Forces Gibraltar" |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/745642/response/1782914/attach/3/202105%20FOI2021%2003836%20Zacchi.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 |website=[[What Do They Know]] | date=9 April 2021 |access-date=10 June 2022|quote=The Royal Navy utilise HM Naval Base Gibraltar}}</ref> Vessels permanently based with the [[Gibraltar Squadron]] include the Offshore Patrol Ship, [[HMS Trent (P224)|HMS ''Trent'']] and the [[Cutlass-class patrol vessel|''Cutlass''-class fast patrol boats]], HMS ''Cutlass'' and HMS ''Dagger''.<ref name="Gibdock2">{{cite web |title=Gibraltar Squadron |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/operations/mediterranean-and-black-sea/gibraltar-squadron |website=Royal Navy |access-date=22 October 2020 |quote=With its rocky terrain and Mediterranean climate, the island is used primarily for training purposes and as a stopover for ships and aircraft on their way to or from Africa or the Middle East.}}</ref>
* [[Mare Harbour]] ([[Falkland Islands]]) – Serves as the port facility for [[RAF Mount Pleasant]], the main British base in the Falkland Islands. Mare Harbour incorporates several berths which support Royal Navy and marine services vessels operating in the South Atlantic. The facility also supports the [[British Antarctic Survey]] ship, [[RRS Sir David Attenborough]], when she operates in Antarctic waters during the regional summer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1053494/20210630-BFSAI_Nav_Risk_Assessment_2021-Public_Final.pdf |title=British Forces South Atlantic Islands East Cove Port Navigation Risk Assessment 2021  |last=Childs (RN) |first=Cdr J R |date=June 2021 |access-date=17 May 2023}}</ref>