What are the numbers on the side of Royal Navy ships and why are they there?
A pennant number is a letter and four numbers, uniform across Nato, used as a visual identifier of a Navy ship.
Technology > Sea vessels
-
Sea vessels -
Navy Family and friends welcome home HMS Montrose as four-year mission ends
During her deployment, the ship has sailed more than 140,000 nautical miles (two-thirds of the distance to the moon).
-
USA Development of hypersonic weapons discussed at first Aukus meeting
Aukus is a defence pact between the three countries to help identify a nuclear-powered submarine for the Australian Navy,
-
Sea vessels Royal Marines take on pulsating boarding drills with Algerian forces in Mediterranean
The drills are part of a Mediterranean mission for RFA Argus, part of the amphibious task force known as Littoral Response Group North.
-
Arctic/Antarctic Royal Navy helps dig out snowbound Antarctic scientists
The site was hit by heavy spring snowfall which buried some of the buildings and damaged the roof of one key structure.
-
Sea vessels 'On to the next million!': HMS Scott celebrates sailing one million miles
It is the equivalent distance to 46 times round the earth or twice to the moon and back.
-
Navy Are you not entertained? Royal Marines Band Service performs at Rome's Colosseum
HMS Albion is currently on Operation Achillean, where she is leading the Littoral Response Group North (LRG North).
-
Navy New Type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow successfully enters the water
She is the first of eight Royal Navy Type 26 frigates being built on the Clyde.
-
Sea vessels Loved ones welcome HMS Kent crew home after Carrier Strike Group deployment
HMS Kent has arrived back at Portsmouth, her home port, after a deployment that saw her part of the Carrier Strike Group alongside HMS Queen ...
-
Navy Watch: Amazing footage of HMS Kent from departing Merlin helicopter
The helicopter joined HMS Kent to help make up the task group deployed alongside HMS Queen Elizabeth.
-
Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to Portsmouth after fast jet operations in North Sea and Scandinavia
The aircraft carrier was joined by warships, F-35B Lightning Jets and Wildcat and Merlin helicopters for the deployment.
-
Navy First crewless submarine ordered by Royal Navy to 'dominate underwater battleground'
It is the latest in a series of "novel underwater technologies being brought to life" to deal with the threats of the next decade.
-
Navy New Type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow takes to water for first time
HMS Glasgow is the first of eight City-class frigates to be delivered to the Royal Navy.
-
Navy She's coming home: HMS Queen Elizabeth to return to Portsmouth
Royal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth will return to her home port on Thursday after a deployment in northern Europe waters.
-
Navy Award for Navy officer who turned around fortunes of stricken HMS Dauntless
Lt Cdr Annabel Roberts' work has won her the Most Collaborative Award at this year's Women in Defence Awards.
-
Sea vessels Sister ships HMS Spey and HMS Tamar reunite in Japan with stunning backdrop of Mount Fuji
They are deployed from the east of Africa to the west coast of the USA over the next five years.