Navy

A navy is a military organisation that primarily operates in sea-based war.

Most (but not all) armed forces make considerable organisational distinction between the land-based warfare of an Army, the sea-based warfare of a Navy, and the air-based warfare of an Air Force - often splitting the three components into mostly independent forces.

A modern navy typically uses a combination of ships, boats, submarines, and aircraft launched from aircraft carriers.

Many navies include ground forces (marines) to fight on land and defend sea craft.

In many countries, the navy is the oldest branch of the armed services. Hence, for example, the British term "the Senior Service".

See also Naval warfare tactics, sea power[?].

Merchant navy is a British and Commonwealth term for the civilian seafaring industry, recognizing both the shared hazards of seafaring activity during wartime, as well as the expectation that civilian vessels may be put under various kinds of control by military authorities. In the USA the equivalent term is merchant marine.

Navies of the world

• Royal Australian Navy
• Royal Navy
• United States Navy
• People's Liberation Army Navy
• German Navy
• Royal Netherlands Navy
• Royal Swedish Navy

Types of Naval Vessel

• Bireme[?]
• Trireme
• Quinquereme[?]
• Liburnian[?]
• Dromon[?]
• Ship of the line
• Frigate
• Bomb ketch[?]
• Destroyer
• Cruiser
• Battlecruiser
• Battleship
• Aircraft carrier
• Escort aircraft carrier
• Amphibious assault ship
• Seaplane tender[?]
• PT Boat
• Submarine (also U-boat)
• Hospital ship
• Corvette

For a list of the prefixes used with ship names (HMS, USS, &c.) see ship prefix.