HMS Somerset (F82)
A United Kingdom Royal Navy frigate is joining Norwegian forces operating in the North Sea protecting gas pipelines following last week’s rupture of two Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic, the U.K. Ministry of Defence announced on Monday. Read More
HMS Westminster monitoring cruiser Marshal Ustinov. U.K. Royal Navy
The U.K. Royal Navy shadowed thee Russian warships as they sailed past the British Isles, London announced in a Tuesday press release. Read More
An F-35B Lightning II, assigned to the ‘Wake Island Avengers’ of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VFMA) 211, launches from the flight deck of U.K. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), while the ship steams alongside Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), and Japan Maritime Self- Defense Force Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184), as the ships transit the Bay of Bengal as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX), Oct. 17, 2021. US Navy Photo
The U.K. Royal Navy is returning to its historic persistent presence in the Indo-Pacific while at the same time ensuring its stature as the foremost navy in Europe, according to the United Kingdom’s senior naval officer. Read More
This post is part of a series looking back at the top naval stories from 2021.
This year U.S. rivals and allies made major strides in developing expanded naval capabilities from expanding aircraft carrier capability to developing new hypersonic weapons. Read More
HMS Queen Elizabeth returns from her seven-month global mission on Dec. 9, 2021. UK Royal Navy Photo
HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) and escorts of the Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG 21) returned to their home ports in HMNB Devonport and HMNB Portsmouth marking the end of its seven-month maiden deployment. Read More
An F35B Lightning II pilot prepared to take off from HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) on Aug. 14, 2021. UK Royal Navy Photo
This post has been updated with additional information from the U.K. MoD and a statement from F-35 builder Lockheed Martin.
A U.K. F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter operating from Royal Navy carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) crashed in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, the U.K. Ministry of Defense announced. Read More
Adm. Ben Key became the nation’s most senior sailor aboard flagship HMS Victory. Royal Navy Photo
A new head of the U.K. Royal Navy has taken command, the Ministry of Defence announced on Monday. Read More
Russian and Chinese ships on Oct. 23 off the coast of Japan. JMSDF Image
KUALA LUMPUR – A combined Russian Navy and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet concluded a sail in international waters east of Japan’s main island of Honshu and split off to their home ports on Saturday, all while being monitored by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships and aircraft during the voyage. Read More
Chinese and Russian Warships. Japan Self-Defense Forces Photos
KUALA LUMPUR – A combined Russian Navy and China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet continues to sail in international waters east of Japan’s main island of Honshu, while Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships and aircraft monitor the fleet during its voyage. Read More
HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) visits Western Scotland for the first time on March 20, 2021. Royal Navy Photo
Keeping the Atlantic open so European allies can remain in the loop with the United States and Canada during a crisis has “always been the case in NATO military strategy” and remains so today, the chief of the United Kingdom’s defense staff said Tuesday. Read More
