What is Royal Norwegian Navy?
The '''Royal Norwegian Navy''' is the branch of the Norwegian [[Military|Armed Forces]] responsible for naval operations of [[Norway]]. In 2008, the Royal Norwegian Navy had about 3,700 people and 70 ships and boats, including 4 heavy [[Frigate|frigates]], 6 [[Submarine|submarines]], 14 [[patrol]] boats, 4 [[Minesweeper|minesweepers]], 4 minehunters, 1 mine detection vessel, 4 support vessels and 2 training vessels. It also includes the [[Coast guard|Coast Guard.]] There has been a navy since 955. From 1509 to 1814 the navy was for both [[Denmark]] and Norway. The seperate Norwegian navy was started again in 1814. Norway was neutral during [[World War I]], but the armed forces had to protect Norway's [[Neutrality (international relations)|neutrality.]] The neutrality was sorely tested – the [[commercial]] fleet suffered heavy [[Casualty (person)|casualties]] to German [[U-boat|U-boats]] and commerce raiders. The [[Battle of Narvik]], one of the first sea battles of [[World War II]] began on April 8, 1940. On June 7, 1940, thirteen ships, five aircraft and 500 men from the Royal Norwegian Navy followed the [[King of Norway]] to the [[United Kingdom]] and continued the fight from bases there until the war ended. They took part in the [[Operation Overlord|Normandy Invasion]] in 1944. [[Category:Organizations based in Norway]] [[Category:Navies]]