| Royal Navy Surface Fleet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Type | Military branch |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Commodore Ian Feasey |
| Insignia | |
| White Ensign (1901 – present) |  |
| Naval jack |  |
TheRoyal Navy Surface Fleet forms one of thefive fighting arms of theRoyal Navy.[1]
During much of the medieval period, fleets or "king's ships" were often established or gathered for specific campaigns or actions, and these would disperse afterwards. These were generally merchant ships enlisted into service. Unlike some European states, England did not maintain a small permanent core of warships in peacetime. England's naval organisation was haphazard and the mobilization of fleets when war broke out was slow.[2] In the 11th century,Aethelred II had an especially large fleet built by a national levy.[3] During the period of Danish rule in the 11th century, the authorities maintained a standing fleet by taxation, and this continued for a time underEdward the Confessor, who frequently commanded fleets in person.[4]
Royal Navy surface ships currently consist of twoflotillas based atHMNB Portsmouth andHMNB Devonport, both located on the south coast ofEngland. Surface combatants range fromaircraft carriers tomine countermeasures vessels tooffshore patrol vessels, but most are escorts;destroyers (Type 45) andfrigates (Type 23).
Surface combatants deploy to conduct severalstanding Royal Navy deployments. Closer to home, the surface fleet also conducts Fishery Protection Patrols aroundUK waters, by agreement with theDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
At some point between 2011 and 2018,Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces and Rear Admiral Surface Ships was also given the role of Rear-Admiral Surface Ships, the 'tribal chief' of surface ships within the Navy.Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group andCommander Littoral Strike Group are the two main deployable forces, led by Commodores (1* rank) under COMUKMARFOR.
The surface ships were administered by theCommander United Kingdom Strike Force and Rear Admiral Surface Ships (COMUKSTRKFOR orCSF).[5][6] Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces is a sea-going combatant command appointment.
One of the most recent Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces was Rear AdmiralMichael Utley.
In 2020-2021, the surface ships were reduced to the status of a Commodore-led flotilla, the Surface Flotilla, underCommander Operations (Royal Navy).[7]
...was appointed Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces COMUKSTRKFOR (CSF) and Rear Admiral Surface Ships (RASS)
Commodore Craig Wood: Commander, Surface Flotilla, April 2020 (appointment date?)
