This is a list of ship classes used by the Royal Navy during The Cold War.
Aircraft Carriers
Fleet carriers
Illustrious-class aircraft carrier-WWII era HMS Victorious (R38) modernised in 1950s and in commission till 1968. Implacable-class aircraft carrier-WWII era decommissioned in mid 1950s. Audacious-class aircraft carrier- Served from 1951 till 1979.
Light Carriers
1942 Design Light Fleet Carrier- WWII era served till early 1960s. Centaur-class aircraft carrier- In service 1953 to 1984. Invincible-class aircraft carrier- In service from 1980 till 2014.
Battleships
HMS Vanguard (23)-Last British battleship ever built. Served from 1946 to 1960.
Cruisers
Tiger-class cruiser-Served from 1959 to 1979. Town-class cruiser (1936)-Served from 1936 to 1963.
Destroyers C-class destroyer (1943)-Served from 1943 to 1972 Daring-class destroyer (1949)-Last RN primarily gun armed destroyers County-class destroyer-First RN Guided-missile destroyers Type 42 destroyer-In service 1975 to 2013 HMS Bristol (D23)- Served from 1973 to 1991.
Frigates
Whitby-class frigate Rothesay-class frigate Leander-class frigate Blackwood-class frigate Leopard-class frigate Salisbury-class frigate Tribal-class frigate Type 21 frigate Type 22 frigate
Corvettes
Peacock-class corvette
Submarines
Ballistic missile submarines
Resolution-class submarine
Attack submarines
HMS Dreadnought (S101) Valiant-class submarine Churchill-class submarine Swiftsure-class submarine Trafalgar-class submarine
Amphibious warfare ships
Fearless-class landing platform dock
Mine countermeasures vessels
Ton-class minesweeper Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel
Patrol boats
Bird-class patrol vessel Ford-class seaward defence boat Gay-class patrol boat Dark-class patrol boat Brave-class patrol boat Island-class patrol vessel Castle-class patrol vessel Archer-class patrol vessel
References