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Britain’s ships are deployed across the globe on various operations.
Many of them are based in Portsmouth, the home of the Royal Navy and epicentre for various missions and developments. Vessels as large as the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers - 932ft long and weighing 65,000 tonnes - are joined by some of the smallest in the force here.
Conventional warships are also being bolstered by autonomous vessels and drones, operated by skilled personnel equipped to handle the latest technology. The aim is to turn the fleet into a hybrid force, where un-crewed capabilities supplement conventional warships.
While some of Portsmouth’s ships are stuck at base for upgrades and maintenance, many of the vessels are out on deployments close to home and further afield. Here are all of the city’s capabilities, where they are and their current missions.
Be sure to click through all the pictures to make sure you don’t miss a key operation.
21. HMS Cattistock
HMS Cattistock has recently been operating around British waters, and was primarily in Plymouth in the summer. | Royal Navy
22. HMS Hurworth
HMS Hurworth is currently in Portsmouth, with her last major operation being Exercise Sea Breeze. This saw new and advanced mine-hunting technology being trialled, alongside HMS Stirling Castle.
23. HMS Middleton
HMS Middleton is currently in Falmouth dry dock for a period of maintenance. | Royal Navy
24. HMS Stirling Castle
HMS Stirling Castle, the Royal Navy's newest ship, has recently been operating around the UK. Her high-profile recent activities include Exercise Sea Breeze, and transporting mine-hunting technology to RFA Lyme Bay ahead of use in the Middle East. | UK MOD Crown copyright