The military history of the United Kingdom covers the period from the creation of the united
Kingdom of Great Britain, with the political union of
England and
Scotland in 1707,[1] to the present day.
From the 18th century onwards, with the expansion of the
British Empire and the country's industrial strength, the British military became one of the most powerful and technologically advanced militaries in Europe and the world. Its navy in particular, with major bases in four
Imperial fortresses and coaling stations surrounding the globe, was the world's greatest naval force from the 18th to the mid-20th century. British military declined in the mid-20th century as did those of the traditional European continental powers following the two world wars, decolonisation, and the rise of the
United States and the
Soviet Union as the new superpowers. However, Britain remains a major military power with frequent military interventions around the world since the end of the
Cold War in 1991. The present-day
British Armed Forces encompass the
Royal Navy, the
British Army, and the
Royal Air Force.
The military history of the United Kingdom covers the period from the creation of the united
Kingdom of Great Britain, with the political union of
England and
Scotland in 1707,[1] to the present day.
From the 18th century onwards, with the expansion of the
British Empire and the country's industrial strength, the British military became one of the most powerful and technologically advanced militaries in Europe and the world. Its navy in particular, with major bases in four
Imperial fortresses and coaling stations surrounding the globe, was the world's greatest naval force from the 18th to the mid-20th century. British military declined in the mid-20th century as did those of the traditional European continental powers following the two world wars, decolonisation, and the rise of the
United States and the
Soviet Union as the new superpowers. However, Britain remains a major military power with frequent military interventions around the world since the end of the
Cold War in 1991. The present-day
British Armed Forces encompass the
Royal Navy, the
British Army, and the
Royal Air Force.