NAVAL BASES: how they compare

DEVONPORT

THE largest naval base in Western Europe, Devonport covers more than 650 acres and has 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths and five basins. The Royal Navy works in partnership there with Babcock Marine.

Devonport is the base port of the largest ship in the Royal Navy, HMS Ocean, and the smallest in service, HMS Gleaner.

The fleet based in Plymouth includes:

Three amphibious assault ships.

Seven Type 23 frigates.

Four Type 22 frigates.

Seven Trafalgar-class submarines.

Five survey vessels.

PORTSMOUTH

The naval base covers 120 hectares and is operated in partnership with BAE Systems Surface Ships. It has three miles of waterfront, 62 acres of basins and 15 working dry docks. Sixty per cent of the Royal Navy’s surface flotilla is based there, including:

Three aircraft carriers

Six Type 42 destroyers

Six Type 23 frigates

Eight Hunt-class minehunters

Three offshore patrol vessels in the Fishery Protection Squadron

14 vessels in the First Patrol Boat Squadron

Antarctic patrol ship HMS Endurance

Falkland Islands patrol vessel HMS Clyde