Overseas military bases of the United Kingdom

This article details the various overseas military bases of the United Kingdom. The maintenance of overseas military bases enable the United Kingdom to conduct expeditionary warfare, and often tend to be located in areas of strategic or diplomatic importance. Oftentimes they act as staging areas for the buildup or resupply of military forces, as was seen during the 1982 Falklands War and the use of RAF Ascension Island. All of Britain's permanent military installations are located on British Overseas Territories (BOTs) or former colonies which retain close diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom is still considered and remains a global power even into the 21st century; this can be evidenced through the nations 15 overseas military bases, making it only second to that of the United States in terms of total overseas bases worldwide. Currently there is also the possibility of an additional two new bases being built in Oman & the United Arab Emirates in the near future. Note that both the United Arab Emirates and Oman were once under British rule, showing the impact of colonialism and the British armed forces military presence across the globe, even into the 21st century.

British military bases have been used by allies of the British, predominantly the United States. A number of military operations would not have been possible if not for the British Indian Ocean Territories Island of Diego Garcia. A somewhat controversial base, used for major operations by the British & Americans during the Global War on Terror (2001-present), Operation Granby (1991), (NATO) Operation Herrick (2001-2014), Operation Tellic (2003-2011), Operation Shader (2014-present), Operation Desert Storm (1991), Operation Desert Fox (1998), Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-2014), Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2011), and (NATO) Operation Inherit resolve (2014-present). All operations would not of been possible without of the 'unsinkable aircraft carrier' known as Diego Garcia, possibly the most important overseas base to both British & American armed forces in the 21st century.

Overseas military installations
The British Armed Forces maintain a number of garrisons and military facilities around the world:

Locally raised units of British Overseas Territories
Four British Overseas Territories also maintain their own locally raised units for home defence and security: