Number of Royal Navy personnel deployed at Christmas about half that of 10 years ago

In 2014, more than 3,000 Naval Service personnel were on duty at Christmas. A decade on, and the RN says the number this year is about 1,600.

The number of people deployed is, of course, a very crude measurement of output but provides some indication of how the service is struggling. Obviously, people and ships are not deployed for the sake of it or to hit arbitrary targets but the world is arguably far more dangerous and unstable than in 2014. If it were possible, the RN would undoubtedly have a bigger global footprint.

It could be argued that minimising the number of people away from their families at Christmas is a sensible step when every effort needs to be made to improve morale and retention. In the past, the RN has been run ‘too hot’ – pushing people beyond what is sensible with the inevitable impact on retention. In most cases (apart from SSBN crews) this balance is now better managed. To what extent the fleet disposition this Christmas is ‘a choice’ against operational demands, available budget and platform availability is debatable.

The Naval Service’s total strength in October 2014 was 32,900 (of which 30,200 were fully trained). There has been a modest decline in numbers to 31,812 in October 2024 (of which 28,125 are fully trained) but it has clearly not halved. The reduction in hull numbers and ‘pinch points’ (shortages of people in particular technical branches) are the underlying reasons why the service is so much weaker.

The RN says that despite the low numbers on duty over Christmas, there are “21 RN and RFA vessels deployed or on short notice to respond if required”. The vast majority of the fleet is alongside in UK naval bases or foreign ports at various levels of readiness. It is unlikely that all these vessels could be put to sea on Boxing Day in the unlikely event this was required.

The Vanguard-class submarine carrying the UK’s Nuclear Deterrent is of course at sea somewhere deep in the ocean, its location only known to a handful of people. Already almost 4 months into the patrol, let’s hope her relief is nearly ready and she is able to come home soon. HMS Triumph has paid off and HMS Astute and HMS Anson returned to Faslane before Christmas, meaning no SSNs at sea again.

HMS Lancaster, HMS Chiddingfold, Middleton and Bangor are in the Gulf and RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Tidesurge are alongside in Gibraltar. The small patrol boats, HMS Cutlass and Dagger and personnel of the RN Gibraltar Squadron are at readiness to protect the Rock’s territorial waters.

HMS Portland is alongside in Devonport but at high readiness, designated as the Fleet Ready Escort (FRE) available to respond to incidents in UK waters. (Incidentally, she carried out the exact same duty over Christmas 2014).

The five OPVs are all overseas. HMS Medway alongside in Willemstad, Curacao in the Caribbean. HMS Forth is conducting patrols around the outlying Islands around the Falklands. HMS Trent is in refit in Malta while HMS Tamar is in Singapore and HMS Spey is in Malaysia. HMS Protector is alongside at the Rothera BAS research station in Antarctica.

There are also many people serving in non-afloat units that are on duty over Christmas. These include the Royal Marines protecting nuclear installations at HMNB Clyde, The Maritime Interdiction Flight held at high readiness to support UK Special Forces in Maritime Counter-Terrorism (MCT) operations and personnel attached to the Bomb-disposal/ EOD units. Various personnel will be on duty at shore establishments (or on ships alongside). RN medics are working shifts in NHS hospitals around the UK and the Northwood Maritime Operations Centre is staffed.

However diminished the numbers may be, this does not take away from the sacrifices of those serving. A heartfelt thank you from the nation you protect and Merry Christmas to all in the Naval Service and their families.