Lists of wars involving the United Kingdom
This is a list of conflicts involving the United Kingdom of [Great Britain and Northern Ireland] and its predecessor states. Notable militarised interstate disputes are included. For a list of wars before the Acts of Union 1707 merging the Kingdom of England and Scotland, please see List of [wars involving England] & List of wars involving Scotland. For a list of wars involving the predecessors of both states and a broader list of wars fought on the Island of Great Britain, see the list of wars in Great Britain.
Historically, the United Kingdom relied most heavily on the Royal Navy and maintained relatively small land forces. Most of the episodes listed here deal with insurgencies and revolts in the various colonies of the British Empire.
During its history, the United Kingdom's forces have invaded, had some control over or fought conflicts in 171 of the world's 193 countries that are currently UN member states, or nine out of ten of all countries.
Lists
Historiography
- Messenger, Charles, ed. Reader's Guide to Military History pp 55–74 etc.; annotated guide to most important books.
- Schroeder, Paul W. "Old Wine in Old Bottles: Recent Contributions to British Foreign Policy and European International Politics, 1789–1848." Journal of British Studies 26.01 : 1–25.