43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines
A Royal Marines unit responsible for protecting the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear deterrent and providing specialist maritime security capabilities.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, commonly abbreviated as 43 Cdo FP Gp RM, is a Royal Marines unit of the United Kingdom Commando Force. Based at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland, it provides specialist protection for the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear deterrent and supports the Royal Navy with maritime security capabilities. Its principal domestic responsibility is preventing unauthorised access to the naval facilities and assets associated with the UK's nuclear deterrent. The unit also maintains capabilities for naval boarding, maritime counter-security, sniper operations and rapid-response deployments. The present formation carries forward the traditions and battle honours of the Second World War No. 43 (Royal Marine) Commando. That wartime unit was formed in July 1943 after Royal Marine formations were reorganised into commando units. It served in Italy, Yugoslavia and Greece as part of the 2nd Special Service Brigade. One of its most prominent battle honours is associated with Operation Roast at Lake Comacchio in Italy in 1945. Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for actions during the operation, while the unit's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Riches, received the Distinguished Service Order. The Comacchio name later became central to the identity of the post-war successor formation. The original 43 Commando was re-formed at Stonehouse Barracks in 1961 to strengthen Britain's seaborne operational forces, but it was disbanded again in 1968. A successor organisation, Comacchio Company Royal Marines, was established on 1 May 1980. It adopted the colours and traditions of the former wartime commando and took its name from the Comacchio battle honour. In November 1983 it became Comacchio Group Royal Marines. During the 1980s, the group was associated with maritime counterterrorism, but that particular role was transferred to the Royal Marines Special Boat Service's newly formed M Squadron in 1987. In March 2001, Comacchio Group was renamed Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines and reorganised around its fleet-protection mission. The formation moved from Royal Marines Condor in Arbroath, where it had been co-located with 45 Commando, to HM Naval Base Clyde on Gare Loch. In 2012 it formally adopted the name 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, reconnecting the modern unit explicitly with its wartime predecessor. The unit has a reported strength of more than 550 personnel and includes headquarters and rifle-squadron elements. Its force-generation model also draws on Royal Navy Reserve personnel for some protection tasks outside the United Kingdom. Specialist teams and the Fleet Contingent Troop can be deployed worldwide in support of Royal Navy operations. The unit trains with British and foreign military partners, including the United States Marine Corps. It is therefore both a fixed-site protection organisation and a high-readiness maritime-security capability within the wider Royal Marines structure.
History
The lineage of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines combines a Second World War commando tradition with later specialist fleet-protection responsibilities. Royal Marine commando units were created during the Second World War after the Royal Marines were asked to organise formations comparable to existing British Army commandos. No. 43 (Royal Marine) Commando was formed in July 1943 from personnel initially drawn from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines. After training at Achnacarry in Scotland, it operated as a unit of approximately 450 personnel, with headquarters, infantry troops, heavy weapons and signals elements. No. 43 Commando served with the 2nd Special Service Brigade alongside No. 2, No. 9 and No. 40 (Royal Marine) Commandos. Its wartime operations took place in Italy, Yugoslavia and Greece between 1943 and 1945. The unit's best-known battle honour came from Operation Roast at Lake Comacchio in Italy. During the operation, Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter cleared a farmhouse containing several German machine guns and subsequently exposed himself to enemy fire to help his troop reach cover. He was killed and received the Victoria Cross posthumously. Lieutenant Colonel Ian Riches, the commanding officer, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and later became Commandant General Royal Marines. The 43 Commando designation was revived in 1961 at Stonehouse Barracks as an additional contribution to Britain's seaborne forces. This incarnation was disbanded in 1968. The lineage was revived again on 1 May 1980 through the formation of Comacchio Company Royal Marines. The new company adopted the colours and traditions of the disbanded 43 Commando and took its name from the Comacchio battle honour. It expanded into Comacchio Group Royal Marines in November 1983. During the 1980s, Comacchio Group had an association with maritime counterterrorism. A review in 1987 resulted in the transfer of that role to M Squadron of the Special Boat Service. The group subsequently developed around fleet protection and the defence of strategically important naval assets. In March 2001 it became Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines. The reorganisation included a move from Royal Marines Condor in Arbroath, Angus, to HM Naval Base Clyde on Gare Loch in Scotland. The modern name was adopted in 2012, when Fleet Protection Group formally became 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines. The designation reflects the unit's historical continuity while describing its contemporary mission. Its central task is to prevent unauthorised access to the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent. The unit also provides naval boarding and sniper teams and maintains a very-high-readiness Fleet Contingent Troop for specialist maritime-security tasks around the world. The formation is part of the United Kingdom Commando Force, the UK's high-readiness amphibious and expeditionary force. Public descriptions have placed its strength at more than 550 personnel. Its structure includes headquarters and rifle-squadron components, including O, P and R Rifle Squadrons; P Rifle Squadron was re-formed in 2018. Royal Navy Reserve personnel can augment the unit for force-protection duties outside the United Kingdom. Personnel also train with other British and overseas forces, including the United States Marine Corps. In 2016, elements began adopting the Colt Canada C8 carbine instead of the standard L85A2, reflecting the specialised equipment requirements of some of its operational tasks.
- 2018
P Rifle Squadron is re-formed
[1]P Rifle Squadron was restored within the unit's organisation.
- 2016
C8 carbines enter use with elements of the unit
[1]Some elements began using the Colt Canada C8 carbine instead of the L85A2.
- 2012
The current name is adopted
[1]Fleet Protection Group formally became 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines.
- 2001
Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines is established
[1]The Comacchio Group was renamed and moved to HM Naval Base Clyde.
- 1983
Comacchio Company becomes Comacchio Group
[1]The organisation expanded and adopted group status.
- 1980
Comacchio Company is established
[1]A successor Royal Marines company was created and inherited the colours and traditions of 43 Commando.
- 1968
The re-formed commando is disbanded
[1]The 1961 incarnation ceased to exist.
- 1961
43 Commando is re-formed
[1]The designation was revived at Stonehouse Barracks to strengthen forces available for seaborne operations.
- 1945
Operation Roast at Lake Comacchio
[1]The unit earned the Comacchio battle honour during fighting in Italy. Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
- 1943
No. 43 (Royal Marine) Commando is formed
[1]The wartime predecessor of the modern unit was formed after Royal Marine formations were reorganised into commando units.
Products and positioning
A specialist Royal Marines force-protection and maritime-security unit combining permanent protection of critical naval infrastructure with deployable boarding, sniper and rapid-response capabilities.
Military protection mission
Strategic deterrent protection
The unit's primary responsibility is preventing unauthorised access to the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent. This involves specialist protection of relevant naval facilities, assets and operating environments at HM Naval Base Clyde and associated tasks supporting the security of the deterrent.
Maritime security capability
Maritime security and naval boarding
43 Commando provides specialist maritime-security capabilities for the Royal Navy, including naval boarding teams and other personnel trained to operate in complex maritime environments. These capabilities can support domestic force protection and overseas naval activity.
Rapid-response military capability
Fleet Contingent Troop
The Fleet Contingent Troop is maintained at very high readiness for specialist maritime-security tasks. It gives the Royal Navy access to a deployable Royal Marines response capability that can be used in the United Kingdom or overseas.
Specialist military capability
Maritime sniper support
The unit includes sniper teams able to support force-protection and maritime operations. Their role complements boarding and other specialist teams in situations requiring surveillance, overwatch or precision engagement.
Brand decisions
2016
Adoption of the Colt Canada C8 by selected elementsGeneration changeBackground
Specialist maritime and force-protection tasks can require a carbine configuration different from the standard British service rifle.
Action taken
Elements of the unit began using the Colt Canada C8 carbine instead of the L85A2.
Aftermath
The change gave selected teams access to a weapon suited to their operational requirements.
2012
Restoration of the 43 Commando designationStrategyBackground
The unit's leadership and service structure sought to reconnect the modern fleet-protection formation with the history and battle honours of the wartime 43 Commando.
Action taken
Fleet Protection Group formally adopted the name 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines.
Aftermath
The current title combined the unit's modern mission with its inherited Royal Marines commando lineage.
2001
Reorganisation as Fleet Protection GroupStrategyBackground
The Royal Marines required a formation focused on specialist protection of the fleet and strategic naval facilities.
Action taken
Comacchio Group was renamed Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines and moved from Royal Marines Condor to HM Naval Base Clyde.
Aftermath
The formation became geographically and operationally aligned with protection of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent and wider Royal Navy force-protection tasks.
1987
Transfer of maritime counterterrorism responsibilityStrategyBackground
A review determined that the maritime counterterrorism role associated with Comacchio Group should be assigned to the Special Boat Service.
Action taken
The responsibility was transferred to M Squadron of the Royal Marines Special Boat Service.
Aftermath
Comacchio Group's subsequent identity developed more strongly around fleet protection and security of strategically important naval assets.
Recent events
- 2018
P Rifle Squadron is re-formed[1]
Other
P Rifle Squadron was re-established as part of the unit's sub-unit structure.
- 2016
Elements begin using the Colt Canada C8 carbine[1]
Product generation
Some elements of the unit began using the Colt Canada C8 carbine in place of the standard L85A2 rifle.
- 2012
The unit formally adopts the 43 Commando designation[1]
Leadership change
Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines formally became 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, restoring the numerical identity of its wartime predecessor.
- 2001
Comacchio Group is renamed Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines[1]
Other
The group was renamed and reorganised around protection of the Royal Navy fleet and strategic naval assets, with its base moved to HM Naval Base Clyde.
- 1987
Maritime counterterrorism responsibility transfers to the Special Boat Service[1]
Other
Following a review, the maritime counterterrorism function previously associated with Comacchio Group was transferred to M Squadron of the Royal Marines Special Boat Service.
- 1983
Comacchio Company becomes Comacchio Group[1]
Other
The formation was expanded and renamed Comacchio Group Royal Marines.
- 1980
Comacchio Company Royal Marines is formed[1]
Other
A new Royal Marines company was established to carry forward the traditions of the wartime 43 Commando and undertake specialist protection duties.
Sources2 sources
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