Introduction *

The Twilight War (1995-2000) *

Opening Moves *

The Battle of the Norwegian Sea *

The GIUK Campaign *

The North Cape Campaign *

The End of the Big Fleets *

Falklands *

Armilla Patrol *

South East Asia *

Far East *

After the Twilight *

Surface Ships *

Aviation Ships: *

Destroyers: *

Frigates: *

Submarines *

Amphibious *

Royal Fleet Auxiliary *

Mine Countermeasures *

Fleet Air Arm *

Aircraft *

Weapons *

Ship *

Submarine *

Aircraft *

Port Divisions *

This article makes no attempt to try and reinvent the Twilight:2000 or 2300AD history. Some of the ships and systems are not real world, and will not be found in 'Janes Fighting Warships'. No hovercraft tanks, but there is a 'real world' laser air defence weapons.

The people of the island nation of the UK have a long and proud nautical tradition. The Royal Navy has a long naval history, starting from around 1512, when King Henry VIII had (what some historians consider) the first purpose built sailing warship built. Before this date armed merchant ships were used for naval warfare. The navy was a royal navy at this time. King Charles I built and maintained a navy, and under Charles II it became Royal Navy.

The RN had a primary ASW role in the context of NATO and the Twilight War. The main area of operations was the North Atlantic.

AAW Anti Air Warfare

ASW Anti Submarine Warfare

ASuW Anti Surface Warfare

ATG Amphibious Task Group

DC Damage Control. Fighting fires and repairing ship battle damage.

DD Destroyer

DDG Guided Missile Destroyer

DF Direction Finding

ECM Electronic Counter Measures

ELINT Electronic Intelligence

ESM Electronic Support Measures

FAC Fast Attack Craft. Usually of the SSM firing variety

FF Frigate

FFG Guided Missile Frigate

XxG The "G" in FFG, DDG refers to the ship being armed with a 30 km+ SAM

GIUK The air-sea gap from Greenland to Iceland to the United Kingdom

GWS Guided Weapon System. RN designation.

LGB Laser Guided Bombs

MoD Ministry of Defence

MPA Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

NGS Naval Gunfire Support. Ships providing artillery support to land forces.

PGM Precision Guided Munitions.

RM Royal Marines

RN Royal Navy.

SAM Surface to Air Missile

SOSUS Sonar System Underwater Surveillance. Fixed sea bed sonars.

SS Diesel-Electric submarine

SSBN Nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine, also called 'boomers'.

SSM Surface to Surface Missile

SSN Nuclear powered submarine

STANAVFORLANT Standing Naval Force North Atlantic. Pre-war NATO escort group. A political statement.

TE Task Element. An individual ship or submarine of a TG.

TF Task Force. A group of TG. Usually all the forces an at sea commander has at their disposal.

TG Task Group. A group of ships dedicated to one role. Several TG make up a TF

WP Warsaw Pact.

After the Soviet Union invaded China in August 1995 the UK MoD started planning for (what some felt) the coming war between NATO and the WP. Aircraft and ship upgrades were accelerated, as long as actual hardware was operational before January 1996.Additional funds were supplied to the armed forces and training and intelligence gathering against WP forces in Europe were stepped up. In an attempt to be non-provocative RN submarines were the platform of choice. The main priority was trailing Soviet SSBN to patrol areas and charting the extra minefields being laid.

After the war spread to Europe in October 1996, NATO decided to start deploying forces forward. The RN ATG proceeded to Narvik, Norway escorted by an escort TG. At the same time ASW TG's deployed behind the GIUK gap as 'pouncers'. RN Upholder class SS deployed forward of the GIUK gap. In quick succession a detachment of Soviet paratroopers were dropped on West Spitsbergen, and the west end of the northern SOSUS line was disabled. The eastern end in Norway was destroyed by 'bunker busting' PGM dropped from Tu-22M-2 Backfires. Using converted Yankee SSBN with mini-submarines the GIUK SOSUS was disabled, the shore station on Iceland destroyed by conventional SS-N-21 cruise missiles fired from a Soviet Akula SSN. In the first week of the war only the eastern end of the GIUK SOSUS line remained, with the shore station remaining in service till the first nuclear exchanges.

In early December 1997, NATO's Atlantic Strike Fleet gathered behind the GIUK gap, and then per the pre-war doctrine proceeded to Norway towards the Norwegian fjords. The selected fjords for the 'carrier bastions' were searched by STANAVFORLANT and RN ASW groups. As some were found to be mined and the Soviet submarine threat too high, NATO decided the carriers would stand off Norway and fight from this position. By December 12^th the first of many Backfire strikes occurred, the Battle or the Norwegian Sea had started.

The NATO Attack Strike Fleet consisted of the USN aircraft carriers USS America, Eisenhower, Enterprise, and Washington with escorts and support ships. After a week in operations off Norway, Washington was sunk by Backfire strikes on December 15^th and Enterprise was heavily damaged. Along with the USN carrier aircraft being slowly but surely lost in air battles against Soviet land-based aircraft, strikes against Soviet Naval Infantry and Airborne forces and against the Soviet Northern Fleet.

At this time the RN was providing ASW cover and striking against any inshore naval forces. Norwegian, Dutch, Canadian and UK naval and air forces destroyed the reinforcing Soviet amphibious Task Group, in a hard fought inshore action.

After 3 weeks, 80% of the Soviet Northern Fleet had been sunk and NATO was left in possession of the Norwegian Sea. The air threat from Backfire bombers, supported by land based air cover, was considered too high and NATO surface fleets retreated behind the GIUK, until additional USN carriers could join the Atlantic Strike Fleet. The remainder of the Soviet fleet settled in behind minefields and the 'bastions' and waited. Their mission was to protect the SSBN. The third Battle of The Atlantic would be largely decided by submarines (again).

The USN had 2 USN carriers left in operation after the Norwegian sea action. USS Kennedy joined from the Mediterranean but shortly afterwards USS America is sunk by an Akula SSN. As the GIUK SOSUS sea bed sonars had been destroyed by WP actions, the NATO Attack fleet settled into air defence role along the GIUK gap. Soviet submarines (and amazingly one surface raider) sortied. NATO ASW operations were effective against second line units, but enough first line boats penetrated to seriously disrupt convoys. A period of attrition ensured over a couple of months.

The RN provided ASW cover along with US, Canadian, Dutch and other NATO groups. During this phase of the war NATO ventures north to Norway in resupply runs. Vicious air/sea battles attritted both sides over a period of months.

Soviet Backfires, with long range air cover from MiG-31 and Su-27 fighters, made numerous probes towards the UK and GIUK gap. Few serious attacks were attempted (in some cases the Backfires have no missiles fitted!). This kept the crews proficiencies up the valuable aircraft in reserve for when the NATO returned north, during the Norwegian resupply runs.

USS Enterprise returns to service (along with other damaged units) and NATO returns north. The last remaining Backfires with their last missiles take out enough of the surface escorts to let fast attack missile boats and a few Soviet destroyers finish off the NATO fleet. The last units of the Soviet Northern Fleet are sunk also.

The North Cape Campaign did not mean the end of naval actions in the Twilight War. Besides the June 27^th, 1997 Greek action, nuclear strikes lead to some ships being hit whilst in port. Ships were anchored away from peacetime bases or remained at sea as long as practical. As no recon satellites remained nuclear missile retargetting was difficult. Release was given for the use of tactical nuclear weapons at sea, including nuclear depth bombs in July 1998. However most ships and submarines had been destroyed and targets are few. The lack of fuel means even less naval actions.

In autumn 1999, the last two convoy leave for Europe. The first was attacked by one Soviet Foxtrot SS using unguided torpedoes. She was sunk by a ship-fired torpedo. The last convoy has the first totally unopposed crossing, although one ship hit a mine at the entrance to Bremenhaven. The RN provides three escorts to both convoys.

Argentina, under a more moderate government doesn't make any moves, preferring to wait the war out. London (Type 22 FF) and Superb (Swiftsure SSN) in the area. The land garrison was later reinforced by a TA battalion and some naval assets redeployed.

Liverpool (Type 42 DDG), Brilliant (Type 22), Hermione, Scylla (both Sea Wolf Leander) involved in actions in Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. The Soviet Indian Ocean Flottila was sunk by a combination of US and UK forces.

Exeter (Type 42 DDG) in the region as part of the Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA). Operated from Brunei, Australia and Hong Kong. Sceptre (Swiftsure SSN) also operated in this area. Indonesian and Soviet forces based out of Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam were engaged at various times.

Chatham (Type 22 FF) was the Hong Kong guardship, along with three 'Peacock' class gunboats. Chatham and one 'Peacock' were destroyed by the nuclear missile attack on Hong Kong. Sceptre (Swiftsure SSN) also operated in this area.

The RN finished the destructive phase of the Twilight War with some 7 surface ships and 2 submarines intact. More importantly she still retained dock facilities in the south of England, she also had the intact Swan Hunter shipyards on the River Tyne which would remain the primary builders for the RN into the 22^nd Century.

The British Isles had a long trial ahead of them until the islands finally began to return to normal. Although most of Great Britain had come back under His Majesties Government by 2008 some parts and Ireland were not returned to some sort of normalcy until 2020. And whilst the RN played a full role in this regard their gaze was necessarily focused overseas for most of the early years of the 21^st Century.

British soldiers had been deployed all around the globe, from Canada to China, during the Twilight War and whilst some of them maintained contact over jury-rigged short wave radios some completely lost contact. It was the task of the RN and the RM to try and find the soldiers or at least to find out what fate had befallen them. To aid them in this task Swan Hunter's designed a series of long legged 'gun boats' in which RN crews scoured the oceans of the world trying to find their compatriots, as well as making contact again with many devastated communities.

In addition to these tasks the RN was also involved in a major war in the Persian Gulf in support of Britain's French allies to which the majority of the surviving pre-War ships were dedicated and performed excellently. The Saudi War set a trend where Britain's relatively intact military acted as de-facto mercenaries for the French in order to gain French capital for the rebuilding of the United Kingdom. Other conflicts the RN was involved in post-war, included the Indian Ocean Pacification Campaign (2004-2014), which ended when the last major pirate base in India was destroyed, the so called 'Resource War', which was a collection of 'Cod Wars', ending at the 2030 Treaty of Paris. This treay set up new limits for European nations to exploit at sea. The post-Twilight War RN period was said to end in the involvement of a RN warship in the Indochina Action of 2030. After 2030 the RN commissioned the first of the new modern fighting warships. This period would also see the building of a foundation of the great RN fleets of the 22^nd and 23^rd Centuries that once again restored the pride of the Royal Navy.

A short note on RN ship designations: The modern RN classifies its own ships based on the role they perform. At the time of the Twilight War, a RN destroyer has a primary air defence role, a frigate is usually ASW or general purpose. Any attempt to draw parallels with other countries ship classes is doomed to failure. This article designates the RN ship classes as the RN would.

Despite the fact the RN came up with most of the modern carrier innovations (angled flight deck, mirror landing aid, steam catapult and ski jump), the money wasn't available to buy new carriers. World War II carrier conversions had little room for growth or space for modern jet aircraft. After the cancellation of the CVA-01 Queen Elizabeth class in 1966 and transfer of RN Phantom FGR2 and Buccaneer to the RAF, it looked like the RN was out of the carrier game. The RN still had an outstanding requirement for ASW flagships, which lead to the Invincible 'through deck cruiser'. Some sort of fighter aircraft was needed to 'hack the shad' (drive off any shadowing aircraft). The V/STOL Harrier had a converted Lynx radar fitted, leading to the Sea Harrier FRS.1. The 1982 Falklands War proved (once again) how valuable aircraft carriers are and, despite the RAF's claims, they could not support the RN anywhere in the world.

Served during the Falklands War. During the Battle of the Norwegian Sea, Invincible remained behind the GIUK gap as the ASW carrier. During the 2 weeks she operated alone with her Task Group, and was responsible for sinking 6-9 Soviet submarines. When the NATO Attack Fleet returned, she escorted the damaged USS Enterprise from the GIUK gap to US repair yards. Sunk by a Soviet SSGN firing a new type of SSM during GIUK campaign.

Just missed out on the 1982 Falklands War. Crippled by a torpedo fired from a WP Kilo SS during the battle of the Norwegian Sea. Towed to Scapa Flow and repaired in 1998. The status of the ship remained a matter of the greatest secrecy until 2000, and the ship was often used to run supplies to UK troops overseas. However the lack of fuel curtailed the operations of the vessel, and she was often laid up in remote harbours such as Scapa Flow, Scottish sea lochs and Norwegian fjords. With the slow return to normalcy she was extensively re-fitted on the Tyne in 2001 and two years later played a major part in the securing of Cumbria. The Illustrious served on until 2023 when structural fatigue finally forced her retirement. Restored she remains to this day as a museum exhibit as part of the Imperial War Museum in Newcastle.

Rushed out of a refit in early 1996, in which four Light Weight Sea Wolf SAM were fitted, along with Harrier GR.9 modifications (additional magazine spaces, extra accommodation). Fought in the Battle of the Norwegian Sea, damaged by a torpedo hit in the GIUK Campaign. Saved by a brilliant damage control effort. Quickly repaired during Feb 1997 and returned to service. Sunk by Backfire strikes during the Battle of North Cape.

Argus Operated as a transport/hospital ship during Norwegian Sea, ASW carrier convoy during GIUK convoy campaign. During North Cape she operated as a ASW carrier and was sunk by a submarine.

'Manchester' (Type 42C):

The Manchester class were the most capable air defence ships the RN had during the Twilight War. As they were better sea ships than the early Type 42s, they were retained in the high threat North Atlantic theatre and suffered accordingly.

Sunk in the North Sea by a WP diesel submarine, before Norwegian Sea action. The WP SS was sunk afterwards ( a common thread throughout the war).

Modified as Edinburgh, below. Escorted Ark Royal during Norwegian Sea, Radars out of action by ARM. Using Edinburgh's height finding radar info, the two operated as a 'paired air defence ship'. Sunk during North Cape performing Naval Gunfire Support.

Fought in Norwegian Sea and undamaged in that action. Operated very successfully as North Sea Guardship and was responsible for destroying or turning back numerous Soviet Su-24 strikes. Sunk in GIUK Campaign by Soviet surface raider of the Sovremmenyy II class.

Refitted 1992-1994. Major modifications with two Light Weight Sea Wolf and Sea Dart Mod 5. Served as Illustrious escort during Norwegian Sea. Attached to Ark Royal task group then onto ATG. After running out of Sea Dart, she fought off Su-24 strikes with Sea Wolf. Hit by guided missile, but still remained fighting (A Daily Mirror reporter was onboard, and published a heavily censored version which didn't mention the ships' name. Confused with Gloucester for years after). Returned to service and took part in GIUK campaign. Ran out of Sea Dart, and whilst resupplying at sea, Invincible was hit. Sunk by Soviet torpedo during GIUK campaign.

Operated as North Sea Guardship, where she was also responsible for sinking two WP submarines. Sunk GIUK Campaign by Soviet subamarine-fired missile.

Sunk Backfire strikes Norwegian Sea whilst providing AAW cover for the Anglo-Dutch ATG. Cardiff was overwhelmed by the number of missiles fired.

Engaged Soviet Backfire missiles, submarines and destroyer. Glasgow ran out of Sea Dart during this action. Sunk by Soviet submarine torpedoes after main Norwegian Sea action.

Served in SE Asia. Fought with RAN and USN in the Battle of the South China Sea. Sunk by air strikes, along with HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra.

In deep cycle refit, did not serve in Twilight War. Used as spares to repair battle damage to other Type 42s. The crew were used as individual replacements and formed the first of the Port Divisions.

In routine maintenance refit at start of war. Served in all three phases of the war. Her captain became one of the post-war prime minsters. One of the surviviors of the Twilight War. Decommissioned in 2018.

Part of Persian Gulf Armilla Patrol. Hit mine and beached to prevent sinking. Later used as a floating SAM battery until the equipment became unserviceable. The Sea Dart SAM was also used in SSM mode.

Taken from service as training ship and returned to service as escort. Took part in Norwegian Sea, and sunk late in GIUK campaign, by Soviet submarine fired SSM.

'Duke' (Type 23)

The best ASW frigate in service during the Twilight War. Type 23's have the longest towed array of any surface ship, giving the longest range. At typical patrol speeds electric motors drive the shaft (no gearbox noise. As the generators are above the waterline, very quiet). All retained in the North Atlantic theatre. With Type 23 towed array providing datums and Merlin helicopters prosecuting contacts a very high success rate was achieved. Due to the Type 23 CODLAG propulsion (Combined Diesel Electric and Gas turbine), the class was repaired post-war and kept in service. The diesels were replaced (an easier task than buidling new gas turbines), and the existing gas turbines used sparingly for speeds above 15 knots.

During a 6 hour ASW action against three Soviet submarines, her helicopter killed a Soviet Charlie II, a ship launched Stingray torpedo a Victor III, and a supporting Nimrod MPA the remaining Tango SS. A total of 4 torpedoes were evaded by Norfolk, but the fifth and final wake-following torpedo hit, sinking the ship. 80% of the crew survived and were rescued.

During early phases war Argyll had two captains (one killed nuclear strike). Claimed kills were 4 WP submarines, 6 assists, 3 surface ships (including possibly one 'friendly fire') and 6 aircraft. Hit by Backfire missiles during the North Cape action. All on board killed.

The victim of a prepared ambush by Soviet SSGN during GIUK Campaign. Lancaster was delibrately targeted to roll back a convoy's ASW defences.

Whilst operating as ASW escort for the Anglo-Dutch ATG, hit a Soviet air laid mine in the North Sea during Norwegian Sea Campaign. Although the ship snapped in two, most of crew rescued. The infamous pictures would amaze for years after.

Missed the Norwegian Sea Action, as she was in the Mediterrean. Escorted damaged USN carrier back to the US. Sunk by Backfire strikes during Norway resupply run.

In spite of the Type 23's excellent ASW performance her gun armament often saw these ships perform NGS. Monmouth in particular became renowned as a NGS ship often working in concert with Campbeltown. Earlier in the war she had cornered three Soviet FAC's deep in a fjord and sunk them with rapid, accurate gunfire. Monmouth's luck ran out during the North Cape action being caught by an array of Soviet tactical aircraft when close inshore. With her compliment of Sea Wolf rapidly exhausted the ship was soon overwhelmed and later abandoned. The suspected presence of a soviet submarine in the area seriously hampered rescue efforts and few of the crew were saved.

Possibly the luckiest ship in the RN during the Twilight War. During Norwegian Sea Action, three Backfire missiles slipped through Montrose's defences. All missed. During GIUK hit by Soviet torpedo which didn't explode. Flooding controlled and the damage repaired. During North Cape hit by two 500 kg bombs, neither of which exploded. Survived till after the war. Stayed operational except for refits till 2020. Major refit till 2025 (including new SAM and SSM) and paid off 2040.

Her captain had volunteered for the dangerous picket duty, during Norwegian Sea.. Although hit by Soviet FAC SSM, her warnings enabled the Anglo-Dutch ATG to evade the attack.

Slightly damaged by missile fragments during Norwegian Sea, went on to fight in GIUK Campaign and North Cape. Hit a mine on return from North Cape. Crippled ship limped into harbour before sinking. As the ship had broke its back, it was assessed as non-repairable, but used for spares.

Sunk by Soviet Tactical Air during Norwegian Sea. Richmond was caught providing the outer ASW screen for the ATG and gave the Soviet frontal aviation fighters their first taste of Sea Wolf. In the space of 60 seconds the Richmond shot down six of an eight plane attack formation, but was hit by two 500lb bombs in the confusion. The ship was crippled and finished off later the same day. This caused the often solitary Type 23's to be treated with much more respect by the Soviets and led to elaborate efforts in order to destroy these ships.

Sunk by 'friendly fire' during Norwegian resupply run. As the area was high threat at the time, sunk by RN forces as the drifting hulk was a hazard to navigation. The surviving crew rescued.

A survivor of the Norwegian Sea battles Grafton had racked up kills against Soviet air, surface and submarine targets. Captained by a ex-submariner Grafton was noticeably successful in prosecuting Soviet conventional submarines and was later the flagship for Anglo-Dutch ASW efforts in the North Sea where she was hit by Soviet Su-24 air strikes during GIUK campaign. Grafton was too badly damaged by fire to be repaired, towed to UK and used as spares.

The first RN victim of the Twilight War, sunk by WP Submarine on sailing for Norwegian Sea. The majority of the crew were rescued.

Survived the war, fighting in all the major battles. Cannablised for spares for other post war Type 23s. Continued in use as a gunboat. Fitted with new primitive SSM in 2006 and extra fuel bunkerage. Operated in Gulf during Saudi War 2010-2013. Distinguished war record along with French and Japanese ships sank the majority of the Iranian fleet. Damaged in 2012 by small boat attacks. Repaired in 2013 and returned to UK in 2015 after Armilla Patrols in the Gulf and India Ocean. Participated in 'Coalition Raid against Indian pirate bases which may or may not have involved elements of the Australian and UK SAS' (according to unofficial sources)'. On return to UK took part in 'Cod Wars' 2020 (Iceland) and 2023-2024 (Norway). Sailed around world stopping in Middle East 2026, Australia 2027, Hong Kong 2027, Japan 2028, Falkland Islands 2028 and returning the same year. Paid off 2042.

Went from trials to combat. Served with Invincible battle group during Norwegian sea. Had civilian contractors onboard for early actions setting some of the equipment to work. Sunk during North Cape action, by Backfire missiles.

Under construction. 75% complete at War start. Working 3 shifts around the clock and despite having some parts removed for repairs to other ships, she entered service in time for the end of GIUK and North Cape. Survived until after the war.

The ultimate Type 22 variant with lessons from the 1982 Falklands War incorporated. Has 114mm gun and longer ranged Harpoon replacing Exocet SSM.

During Norwegian Sea she shot down a Soviet missile with the 114mm gun. Shrapnel from the exploding missile showered the ship in fragments. Out of service till North Cape. Survived till after the war. Laid up from 2011-2013 due to lack of engine spares and decommissioned in 2027.

Sunk by a nuclear tipped torpedo in 1998. The torpedo was actually decoyed, but the warhead detonated anyway, also killing the launching Soviet submarine.

Sunk off North Cape performing NGS. Cambeltown's Captain had a reputation for aggressive and reckless action, once closing so far into a fjord to provide gunnery support that he ended up in a duel against Soviet tanks. However an attempt to repeat this feat was countered by a well organised Soviet artillery ambush which crippled and eventually sunk his ship.

Served as Hong Kong guardship during the Twilight War. Ran out of missiles during combat operations. Whilst being reloaded, destroyed in nuclear strike on HK.

The 'Boxer' variant of the Type 22 class had a strengthened stern to handle the Type 2031 towed array sonar, and the US 'Classic Outboard' combat DF and ELINT system. A robust specialist ASW design.

During North Cape, Boxer had the misfortune of being detected before the Soviet shore SSM batteries were destroyed. As the Soviets had not detected any other targets a massive launch of SSM gutted the ship with no survivors.

Sunk by Soviet Frontal Aviation strikes whilst operating inshore hunting submarines, during Norwegian Sea. In the best traditions of the RN, the ships Lynx helicopter continued prosecuting the submarine, eventually sinking it with Stingray torpedoes, assisted by Sea King helicopters.

Operated in Far East during 1995 and fired on by Chinese aircraft by mistake. Brave survived the attack destroying her attackers, and returned to the UK in 1996. Sunk by Soviet submarine during a Norwegian resupply run.

Operated as Falklands guardship and in the South Atlantic. Returned to the UK in early 1999. Survived the war, but sunk by a unswept Twilight War mine in 2012.

Sheffield was operating alone during Norwegian Sea, was surprised and sunk by Soviet FAC. Her exact fate wasn't known until divers investigated the wreck in 2105, as she had been listed as 'sunk by enemy action' (communications had been lost in the opening slavo).

Sunk during a GIUK convoy action, by Soviet submarine launched SSM. Coventry was operting in the dangerous, but necessary task of ASW picket. Although the Soviet submarine evaded the search, the convoy escaped during the confusion.

Considered as 2^nd class warships during the Twilight War as they lacked towed array sonars and had some other outdated systems.

A veteran of the Falklands War, aging Broadsword had a well deserved reputation as a lucky ship. She normally operated as a close in escort or 'goalkeeper' for high value ships, and was responsible for saving Ocean from air attack on numerous occasions during the initial stages of the war. Later she was struck by a missile that failed to explode whilst attempting to protect Invincible, she would also later survive the sinking of Ark Royal. However her luck ran out days later when using her Lynx helicopter to screen Soviet FAC from the remaining ships and she was sunk by a flotilla of FAC off North Cape.

Sunk during a Norwegian resupply run by Backfire strikes. Again a victim of too many high speed Soviet missiles overloading the task groups AAW defences.

Deployed to Armilla Patrol, were she participated in the successful action against the Soviet Indian Ocean Flotilla. Whilst operating inshore, deploying UK SF teams, sunk by Soviet air strikes in early 1998.

Operated as Illustrious 'goalkeeper' during Norwegian Sea action. Sacrificed as torpedo decoy. However a second torpedo crippled the carrier.

Essentially 2^nd class warships retained before the war to make up numbers. Operated in lower threat areas.

Armilla Patrol. Survived war and returned to UK. Continued in service till 2006 until gearbox casualty forced the ship to retire.

Armilla Patrol. Sunk by Soviet SAG in Indian Ocean. Crew made their way by stolen local fishing boats back to the Gulf. The remainder of the Scylla's crew joined other Armilla Patrol ships or worked ashore.

Operated in mid-Atlantic, Caribbean, West Africa, Gibraltar and Mediterranean. Hit a mine approaches to Gibraltar in early 1998 and sank.

'Cheap' refits quickly turned expensive. Quieter than Type 22/2 equipped with towed arrays. Were to have been replaced by later Type 23 frigates. Used in the GIUK gap.

Sunk by torpedo fired from a Soviet Victor III during the GIUK campaign. Earlier in the same action Sirius detected a snorting WP diesel boat, (killed by Nimrod MPA), the Victor III (which evaded the RN ASW effort and fired at Sirius).

Sunk by Backfire missiles during one of the few air strikes launched past the GIUK gap, whilst escorting a convoy. As the convoy was also under attack from at least three WP submarines at the same time, the groups helicopters and ships ignored the survivors and prosecuted the submarines. The survivors perished.

'Vanguard' SSBN

Launched missiles in response strikes in late 1997. Used as an attack submarine after and hit a mine in GIUK gap during 1998.

Hit by nuclear strike between patrols, whilst in port during late 1997.

Whilst firing missiles, a Soviet SSN detected her and sank her with nuclear tipped ASW standoff missiles in late 1998.

Sunk by Soviet deep shelf mine before launching any missiles.

A contender for the best attack submarine of the Twilight War era. Very quiet with excellent weapons and sensors.

Operated on the fringes of the NATO Attack Fleet during Norwegian Campaign. Sank two Soviet ships as they passed to hit the fleet. Sank another 3 as they returned. She successfully evaded at least 6 Soviet torpedoes and escaped. Hit a mine during a later patrol and sank with all hands.

Whilst deploying mines off a suspected SSBN transit point, she vanished with all hands. An extensive search in 2115 failed to find her final resting place. As Soviet war records were lost, no evidence exists of being lost to hostile action.

After a very successful war service, used as a nuclear power plant after. This fact was kept secret for years after the war.

Damaged whilst on her third patrol by a grounding, she returned to the UK. Was dry-docked Rosyth and destroyed by the nuclear strike on Edinburgh.

Whilst stalking a Soviet SSBN she was detected, The resulting hunt lasted 36 hours. After she killed the SSBN, the escorting SSN, elements of a bastion ASW group she hit a mine (laid three hours beforehand). Survived the mine blast and in a herculean effort returned to the UK. Damaged beyond repair, but used as spares.

Sunk by a Soviet mobile mine off the North Cape early in the war whilst trailing a Soviet boomer. An escorting Tango SS had been killed by Talent the day before, in a very close range action. The sole survivor talked of hearing the Tango through the hull!

Operated as Trafalgar, see above. She was detected on her approach and sunk by a combination of a Tu-142M MPA and surface ships. However the resulting hole in the ASW screen enabled a US SSN to penetrate the screen (which was sunk on the way out).

Although age was starting to show (see Swiftsure) planned refits had to be deferred till after the crisis of 1995. Even though the refits did not happen, the boats still provided excellent service.

Out of service from 1988 refit with reactor problems. These problems were considered beyond economical repair. Used as spares for the rest of the class.

Operated in China Sea and South East Asia. Sank Soviet, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indonesian ships and submarines. Hit a mine in Chinese waters. As this was in shallow water 60 crew escaped and made their way to Hong Kong.

Hit a mine and sunk with all hands whilst trying to penetrate a SSBN bastion during an early war patrol.

Operated off the Falkland Islands and in the South Atlantic. Sovereign had a quiet war deterring Argentina. Later sank two Soviet submarines which had been operating against merchant ships in the south India Ocean. Returned to UK mid 1998. Sunk by mine in North Sea, late 1998.

After a successful kill on a Soviet Typhoon SSBN, was counterfired by an Akula II SSN. The recovery operations in the late 22^nd century showed the sub was in excellent shape. The ship has been refitted and is now an exhibit at Portsmouth docks.

Sank by 'friendly fire'. Recovery operations during the 22^nd century found evidence of a Mk46 torpedo explosion. It may have been a Norwegian P-3 Orion, US SH-60 Seahawk or West German Lynx, as all reported firing an unknown submarines at roughly the correct time. Opinions vary on whether Splendid was out of a safe transit zone or (as in other incidents) submarines were fired on anyway.

Initially operated forward of GIUK gap as ASW boats. Although very quiet on battery power, most of the loses were after the boat had been detected 'snorting' (recharging diesels).

After operating as a GIUK ASW barrier submarine, used as a forward SF operations boat. Hit a mine whilst landing SF during North Cape action. Some of the crew rescued. The remainder of the SAS team continued with the mission.

Sunk by Soviet submarine in GIUK gap early during Norwegian Sea campaign.

Hit a mine in a Norwegian fjord whilst recharging batteries in the GIUK campaign. Reports of this being a NATO mine are incorrect, it was a Soviet submarine laid model.

Whilst on patrol in the North Sea, sunk by RN ASW surface group or Norwegian P-3 (both use UK Stingray torpedo). Both are possible according to surviving war records.

The first of the lengthened Flight II Upholder with improved sonars, weapon fire control, improved diesels and increased battery capacity. Operated as GIUK ASW cover during GIUK Campaign, sweeps off Norway and North Cape action. During North Cape torpedoed attacking Soviet destroyer and landed SBS team 'Somewhere in the Soviet Union'. Survived Twilight War. Paid off 2020.

Sunk by Soviet ASW surface group in Barents Sea during GIUK Campaign. Post-war dives on the wreck showed the boat had been snorting.

Entered service just before North Cape action. Sailed directly into this action, and torpedoed Soviet destroyers and landed SF teams. Survived the Twilight War. Scrapped in 2010 and used as spares to keep Unruly in service.

Operated primarily as SF transports, as the weapons fire control was never updated to fire Spearfish torpedoes.

Operated as SF transport in the Norwegian and Baltic Sea. Sunk by Swedish submarine after the infamous SBS raid on Leningrad and Kronstadt.

Operated as 'Special Projects' boat in Barents Sea. Hit a mine and lost with all hands. SAS team (the legendary Alpha One Zero patrol) made their way from Russia, through Finland, Sweden and into Norway.

Detected by NATO forces whilst snorting (recharging batteries) and attacked as a WP sub. Opossum evaded the attack. During the same operation ran aground in the Baltic and attacked by WP forces. The crew sabotaged the boat and were captured.

'Ocean' LPH

Operated as helicopter support ship during Norwegian Sea action in fjords. During GIUK operated as ASW carrier in direct support of convoys. Sunk whilst operating as a Harrier carrier off North Cape.

First of the new LPD in service mid 1997. Operated with Ocean LPH during Norwegian Sea. The Anglo-Dutch ATG (including the Rotterdam) gained a reputation for absolute daring during the first days of the war. Often taking great risks in penetrating deep into fjords to deposit troops behind enemy lines. This was bought at the cost of a number of escort vessels, but was a prime factor in the swift repulse of the Soviets from Norwegian territory. Albion was sunk during North Cape action supporting the NATO land offensive.

Sir Bedivere (sunk airstrikes North Cape), Sir Geraint, Sir Percivale ( both sunk Norway resupply run), Sir Tristram (sunk Norwegian Sea by submarine)

Major auxiliary and supply ships are the responsibility of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) which is a uniformed civil service. As this article is about the RN, the RFA is not mentioned. The Oakleaf (a tanker) sailed around the world with the Ocean Wave '27 group, post-war in 2026-2028.

Space does not allow for the full list of battle honours earned during the Twilight War by the RN MCM fleet. The 5 'Sandown', 13 'Hunt' and smaller inshore 'River' class were in action clearing mines from 1993 (Persian Gulf) till 2010. The various small MCM craft survived the war largely intact, and were used as fisheries patrol boats and MCM functions till into the 2030s.

Pure minehunters with no minesweeping capability. An additional 7 units were delayed by combat system problems.

Also called 'Brecon' class and equipped for minesweeping and hunting. Prince Andrew commanded one of this class during the Twilight War. A successful but expensive class.

Squadrons with the three digit code starting with '8', are first line fighter, attack, ASW or helicopter assault units. Squadrons with a '7' code are second line trials, training or maintenance units.

AH Attack Helicopter

FRS Fighter Recon Strike

HAS Helicopter Anti-Submarine

HMA Helicopter Maritime Attack

HM Helicopter Maritime

Gazelle AH.1

12 in service with 3 Brigade, RM

35 in service. All Lynx HAS.2 converted to HAS.3 or HMA.8 by Twilight War. The Lynx HAS.3 has no onboard ASW sensors, it requires another party to acquire a submarine contact and provide steering cues.

815 Sqn: detachments based on escort frigates and destroyers

30 in service. All ASW gear removed. New IR sensor, ESM and datalink added. Very successful at killing FAC.

815 Sqn: Frigate/ Destroyer based

One squadron (9) in service 829 Sqn on Type 23 frigates. Has plenty of endurance and excellent ASW sensors. Called 'Flying Frigate' due to expense (one report) or capability (another report).

35 in service. Using the excellent Blue Vixen radar and US AIM-120 AAM, Sea Eagle anti-shipping missile again surprised critics. Sea Harrier proved exceptionally useful during the Norwegian Sea campaign as it was able to operate in weather and sea states which grounded conventional carrier aircraft.

The Fleet Air Arm squadrons displayed a remarkable survivability due to the practice of scrambling all aircraft when the ship was under attack. 801 Squadron in particular was renowned for escaping doomed ships.

Squadrons:

800: Operated from Invincible, until sunk then absorbed by 809 squadron.

801: Operated from Illustrious, briefly based Argus and container ship conversions. Feed replacement aircraft and pilots to 809 Sqn for North Cape.

809: Reformed 1995 for Ark Royal air wing. Survivors returned UK after North Cape, contained elements of all three pre-War squadrons in addition to two USMC AV-8B+. 809 survived the nuclear exchange and would later re-embark aboard the repaired Illustrious, however a lack of fuel would seriously limit 809's operations. 809 would go on to provide most of the UK's aircrew during the Saudi War.

899: Remained as training squadron, until disbanded in 1997 due to lack of air frames. Some of the training aircraft and instructors would see active service with 809.

10 in service with 849 Squadron.

A Flight, 849: Invincible.

B Flight, 849: Illustrious

D Flight, 849: Land based including North Sea oil rigs.

3 in service C Flight, 849 Sqn Ark Royal. Has improved radar and datalink.

29/69 ASW Sea Kings this model. Used from Container ship ASW escort conversions.

810 Sqn: Shore and later container ship based.

826 Sqn: ASW frigates and later Argus for ASW work.

40/69 ASW Sea Kings this standard. Used from carriers and Sea King capable frigates.

814 Sqn: Invincible, later ASW frigates.

819 Sqn: Ark Royal

820 Sqn: Illustrious

28 operated for RM support by 845, 846 and 848 Sqn. These three squadrons of 'junglies' in their distinctive black and white 'tiger stripes' played a major role in the land fighting alongside the amphibious task group. Together they provided much needed strategic maneuverability during the dark Arctic winter, supporting not only the RM, but Norwegian, Canadian and NATO AMF. The long night flying hours took a greater toll than enemy action and after the Kola Peninsular campaign the squadrons were amalgamated into the RM Support Helicopter Force, where the six remaining Sea Kings would operate in North Norway until the survivors returned to the UK in 2003. Later supplemented with Sea King HAS.5 stripped of ASW gear, operated as transports (as per 1982 Falklands war).

Exocet

By the 1990s the Exocet SSM was a dated design lacking the range of later weapons. The RN had updated the seekers of all in service Exocet missiles.

Range: 4.1 to 42 km @ 1100 kph (305 mps) 160 kg warhead

To replace the short range Exocet the US Harpoon missile was selected (the US Harpoon IB version was actually designed for a RN requirement). All RN versions had been updated to IC version by 1996. The IC adds the waypoint option, selectable popup and increased ECCM.

Range: 5 to 148 km @ 1040 kph (288 mps) 220 kg warhead

The standard RN ship cannon with a HE round useable against surface and air targets. A decent largely automatic design which was out ranged by several WP land weapons during NGS (a common problem during the war). Vickers produced some base bleed HE/ER rounds with 10% less HE content.

Range: 22 224 metres @ 866 mps 21 kg HE shell (complete round 36.5 kg)

Other rounds used were illuminating and chaff (for decoys and wind direction finding).

HE/ER Range: 27 113 metres

Most systems modified to Improved Sea Dart (handles sea skimmer threats) or Sea Dart Mod 5 (handles high speed diving missiles).

Range: 46 300 metres @ 3000 kph (833 mps) 23 kg warhead

Improved Sea Dart 55 560 metres

Sea Dart Mod5 74 080 metres

Sea Wolf has an automated combat system which was revolutionary in its time of introduction. During North Cape action Sea Wolf equipped ships regularly shot down shore based artillery fire! GWS.25 is the Type 22 6 cell launcher, GWS.26 the Type 23 VLS and GWS.27 the Light Weight Sea Wolf 4 round launcher. GWS.27 had entered service on Ark Royal and a few destroyers by the start of the war.

Range: 5500 m @ 1980 kph (550 mps) 14 kg warhead

VL Seawolf Range: 8100 m

The Stingray introduced the shaped charge warhead to ASW torpedoes, enabling first shot lightweight torpedo kills of Soviet double hulled submarines. Trials kits to convert the Stingray Mod0 to Mod1 status were accelerated into service. By the middle of the GIUK campaign all Stingrays were converted to Mod1. The civilian contractor and equipment was flown out by helicopter, and performed the change over in theatre. Also used from RN helicopters and RAF Nimrod.

Range: 9260 metres @ 83 kph (23 mps) 45 kg shaped charge warhead Max Depth: 755 metres

Spearfish Torpedo

Due to various problems Spearfish was not available in sufficient qualities during the war. Early patrols had mainly Spearfish, later patrols would carry some older Tigerfish for some targets. Some targets were missed due to this policy, but at no time did RN submarines find themselves without Spearfish. Not carried by Oberon boats.

Range: 22 224 metres @ 83 kph (23 mps) 300 kg warhead Max Depth: 912 metres

Or 46 300 metres @ 54 kph (15 mps)

Due to shortage of the new Spearfish (and problems bringing it into service) the less capable Tigerfish was carried by all subs as part of a mixed load.

Range: 12 964 metres @ 65 kph (18 mps) 340 kg warhead Max Depth: 608 metres

Or 29 260 metres @ 44 kph (12 mps)

80 in service with UK built A-90 warheads on Vanguard SSBN. As the 3 in service Tridents have 16 tubes each or 48 missiles, this leaves maintenance reserve and some SSBN reloaded. Not enough warheads were available and missiles had 1-6 MIRV fitted. Sea based Trident system is as accurate as land based ICBM. A few missiles formed the nucleus of the UK's early post-war ESA launcher efforts.

Range: 11 100 km Warhead: one to six ? kT

Around 70 in service on Resolution class SSBN. Having an improved UK designed payload, the 'Chevaline' could perform terminal evasive maneuvers to evade the Moscow defenses and have a shallower attack angle (lower attack altitude). As with UK Trident, used as satellite launchers after the war.

Range: 4 630 km Warhead: six 150 kT with penaids.

AIM-9L/1 Sidewinder

By the time of the Twilight War the AIM-9 family had started to show its age. The UK AIM-9L had the seeker greatly improved and carried by virtually all UK aircraft (from fighters to Nimrod MPA)

Users: Sea Harrier FRS.2, RAF, other NATO countries.

Range: 18 km (theoretical) 3-5 km (practical) @ 1350 kph (375 mps) 11 kg warhead Weight 85 kg

This US active homing missile and datalink. The first medium range missile that killed more aircraft that it missed. Using an AMRAAM basically meant that target pilot skill was less relevant.

Users: Sea Harrier FRS.2, RAF, other NATO countries.

Range: 75 km @ 2160 kph (600 mps) 23 kg warhead Weight 152 kg

Was called 'Cruise Martel" (and is an improved variant of this), with an home on jamming and active radar seeker . Programmed to hit the target ship at the waterline, to increase damage.

Users: Sea Harrier FRS.2, RAF, Saudi Arabia, India

Range: 120 km @ 1040 kph (288 mps) 230 kg warhead Weight 600 kg

Designed to attack FAC from outside short range SAM range (The Soviet SA-N-4). This weapon formed the basis of post war SSM developments. Carried 2 or 4 per Sea Lynx

Users: Sea Lynx HAS.3 & HMA.8, Brazil, South Korea, Turkey, West Germany

Range: 15 km @ 980 kph (271 mps) 35 kg warhead Weight 145 kg

A contender for the best dogfight missile used during the Twilight War. The Taildog was based on research performed since the 1970s. Basically a missile with only rear fins (using body lift) and a controlled burn engine. On launch the missile speed is kept slow, the missile turns to face the target and the booster kicks in. The planned imaging infrared seeker was not ready in time and an improved AIM-9L/1 seeker was fitted instead. The missile uses the same AIM-120 datalink (on aircraft so equipped) and can be fired from outside IR seeker range.

Users: Some Sea Harrier FRS.2, RAF

Range: 8 km @ 2880 kph (800 mps) 16 kg warhead Weight 80 kg

The loss rates of warships during the Twilight War far exceeded the rates of production and led to large numbers of sailors being largely unemployed. However the RN regrouped and reorganised these men and women into temporary companies in order to provide enhanced security for port facilities and to free up regular army manpower for fighting on the continent. These companies came very much into their own following the nuclear exchange, being able to maintain control of the port facilities on the southern coast of England and act as a valuable manpower resource for the military government.

The companies ranged in size generally containing three to six platoons but lacking heavy weapons. They were normally based around the ships companies of sunken warships, and named after modern and historical heroes of the navy. The companies were normally grouped into extemporised battalions for greater control and were generally integrated into the army command structure. These naval units were commonly referred to as the Royal Naval Brigade although they never operated in units larger than the battalion.

These three companies normally comprised the 1^st RN Battalion based in Portsmouth. They were the primary military force in retaining Portsmouth in the hands of the military in the first days after the destruction of London. Also involved in relief efforts in the south of England. As well as the occasional anti-marauder foray they were responsible for guarding the rump Parliament sitting in Portsmouth. All three companies were formed around survivors of the RN's carrier force, the 1^st RN Battalion provided much of the crew for the repaired HMS Illustrious and was disbanded in late 1998.

These three companies formed the 2^nd RN Battalion, based at Plymouth and Yeovil. Black Company, composed of ex-FAA ground crew from carrier fleet (and named after the captain of Invincible during the Falklands War) and based at NAS Yeovilton was destroyed in the initial nuclear exchange. Remainder 2^nd RN Battalion was to hold onto Plymouth and Devonport, having to maintain order against a spate of looting and violence and reinforced by volunteers from local community. A major part of the defences of the so-called 'Duchy of Cornwall' the 2^nd RN Battalion was engaged in many operations against the Cornish insurgency throughout the long running Cornwall campaign. The 2^nd Battalion was renamed the 1^st in 2007 and disbanded in 2017.

The 3^rd RN Battalion. Companies drawn from crews of the amphibious task group, Kelly Company drawn from sunken Submariners (known as the 'white death' due to the number of sailors with white hair through cold water immersion) and named after the skipper of the HMS Trafalgar. Actually the first group of companies to be organised into a battalion under Commander Philip Matherson RN, MC (a NGS forward observer) and brought in to act as lines of communications troops for 3 Commando Bde during the Battle of the Kola Peninsular, although sailors often taken away to crew coastal vessels. The 3^rd RN Battalion was returned to the UK late in 1998 after the second nuclear exchange and was responsible for the security of extemporised harbour areas in the Tyne, Wear and Tees rivers. The battalion was disbanded in 2006.

Cochrane Company

Cochrane Company was a large company recruited from the survivors of the frigates destroyed in the GIUK campaign. Based in the Scottish ports of Faslane and Rosyth the company was mobilised for crowd control duties in the aftermath of the first wave of nuclear attacks and the destruction of London. The company became a de facto part of the Royal Army of Scotland and was co-operating with self-declared Scottish government whilst still retaining control of the ports for the RN. Cochrane Company was effectively destroyed with the second wave of nuclear attacks that devastated Glasgow and Edinburgh.