Although the majority of the Royal Navy fleet, unless required, remains training and exercising in and around Home Waters, the Navy has a number of standing commitments to provide ships for various missions around the world:

Fleet Flagship and R2 Carrier

Normally two aircraft carriers are available to the Royal Navy at any one time - one will normally be on 48 hours standby for deployment, and is designated as the 'Fleet Flagship'

Fleet Ready Escort

This is a ship that is maintained on short-notice standby to be deployed anywhere in the world.

Atlantic Patrol Task (North)

This is the United Kingdom's contribution to the North Atlantic and Caribbean areas. It is designed to act as a reassuring presence to British, Commonwealth and friendly nations in the area, and to protect British interests. In addition, the deployment also plays a major anti-drugs role and can provide humanitarian assistance.

Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT)

STANAVFORLANT is a permanent squadron of medium sized warships from several NATO countries which trains and deploys together in the eastern Atlantic to provide verification of current procedures and tactics.

Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED)

STANAVFORMED is an identical deployment to STANAVFORLANT, performing an equivalent function in the Mediterranean.

Atlantic Patrol Task (South)

This deployment performs an equivalent function to the APT(N), providing a British presence to friendly countries in the South Atlantic and West Africa. In addition, it is also tasked with maintaining the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

Armilla Patrol

The Armilla Patrol was originally established at the beginning of the Iran-Iraq War to ensure the safety of British shipping in the Persian Gulf. While that is still part of its function, it is also responsible for maintaining a reassuring British presence for friendly nations in the region.

Mine Countermeasures Force (North)

MCMFOR(N) is a standing commitment to NATO to provide a Mine Countermeasures vessel to the Baltic, Northern Europe and Atlantic areas.

Fishery Protection Squadron

The Fishery Protection Squadron protects both the United Kingdom fishing fleet and the oil and gas fields in the British areas of the North Sea.

Northern Ireland Squadron

The function of the Northern Ireland Squadron is to prevent and deter the movement of arms and personnel of the various terrorist factions in and around Ulster.

Falkland Islands Patrol Ship

The Falkland Islands patrol ship is an Offshore Patrol Vessel that is permanently station in the islands, in support of the APT(S) deployment.