What is the Royal Navy?
Q: What is the Royal Navy?
A: The Royal Navy is the navy of the United Kingdom, consisting of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Fleet Air Arm and reserve forces.
Q: Why is the Royal Navy called the "Senior Service"?
A: The Royal Navy is the oldest part of the British fighting forces, which is why it is called the "Senior Service".
Q: What was the role of the Royal Navy in making Britain a superpower before World War II?
A: The Royal Navy was very important in making Britain the superpower of that time.
Q: How many personnel make up the Naval Service?
A: As of November 2011, the Naval Service had 57,000 personnel (people) including part-time reserve sailors, airmen and marines.
Q: How many ships does the Royal Navy have and what types of ships are they?
A: The Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary have 98 ships including aircraft carriers, submarines, minesweepers and patrol vessels, as well as the ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Q: Why are all ships in the Royal Navy called "Her Majesty's ships"?
A: All ships in the Royal Navy are called "Her Majesty's ships" (Or HMS for short), because by constitution the Queen owns them and has command over them.
Q: What are ships in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary called and who owns them?
A: Ships in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are called "Royal Fleet Auxiliaries" (Or RFA for short) and are also technically owned by the Queen. In times of a male monarch the "Her" is replaced with "His".
