- published: 08 Dec 2015
- views: 91915
The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's principal naval warfare force. Naval forces were first used by Alfred the Great in the 9th century, and from the early 14th century England's navy was engaged in maritime warfare. The modern Royal Navy traces its origins to the early 16th century, it is the oldest of the armed services and is known as the Senior Service.
During the 17th century the Royal Navy vied with the French Navy for world supremacy, and from the late 17th century until the mid- 1940s it was the most powerful navy in the world, being surpassed by the US Navy after World War II. The Royal Navy played a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power during the 17th, 18th, 19th and first part of the 20th centuries. Due to this historical prominence, it is usual – even among non-Britons – to refer to it as "The Royal Navy" without qualification.
Following victory in the First World War, the Royal Navy was significantly reduced in size, although at the onset of the Second World War it was still the largest in the world. By the end of the Second World War, however, the United States Navy had emerged as the world's largest. During the course of the Cold War, the Royal Navy transformed into a primarily anti-submarine force, hunting for Soviet submarines, mostly active in the GIUK gap. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, its focus has returned to expeditionary operations around the world.
Onboard Royal Navy's largest ever warship - BBC News
History of the Royal Navy - Wooden Walls (1600-1805)
HMS Albion: Rare Access To Mothballed Royal Navy Ship
Royal Navy - Show of Strength (The Modern Navy - State of Alert)
ROYAL NAVY AVIATION IN THE 60 s
ROYAL NAVY COLD WAR CAPABILITIES vs. SOVIET NAVY SUBMARINES 75714
Sinking Ship Simulator: The Royal Navy's Damage Repair Instructional Unit
History of the Royal Navy - Steam, steel and Dreadnoughts (1806-1918)
HMS Queen Elizabeth - The Future of the Royal Navy
Sailor School | Royal Navy Sailor School S1-Ep1 | Channel 4