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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.
1. Portsmouth Royal Navy ships
The Royal Navy's fleet is deployed across the globe conducting various missions. Here is the current status of all the ships that are based in Portsmouth. | Various
2. HMS Prince of Wales
The Royal Navy flagship recently set off to conduct the second phase of Operation Firecrest, taking charge of the UK Carrier Strike Group. | Ben Mitchell/PA
3. HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Queen Elizabeth recently left Belfast, Northern Ireland, following a diplomatic visit. Assigned as a the head strategic platform for Nato, she has been operatizing in the North Atlantic and High North alongside allies. She is heading to Gibraltar. | Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press - contributed by Belfast Newsletter
4. HMS Dragon
HMS Dragon recently returned home to HMNB Portsmouth after a seven-month deployment. She conducted various trials in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, helping protect British interests in the region amid the escalating Iran war. | PO Phot Chris Sellars/PA