The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet is made up of 32 commissioned warships and 11 non-commissioned as of December 2023.

The main strength is the eight frigates and three destroyers of the surface combatant force: eight Anzac class frigates and three Hobart class destroyers. Six Collins-class boats make up the submarine service, although due to the maintenance cycle not all submarines are active at any time. The issues have now been fixed and five submarines are available for service. Amphibious warfare assets include two Canberra-class landing helicopter dock ships and the landing ship HMAS Choules. Four Armidale-class patrol boats perform coastal and economic exclusion zone patrols, and four Huon-class vessels are used for minehunting and clearance (another two are commissioned but in reserve since October 2011, for sale as 2018). Replenishment at sea is provided by two Supply-class replenishment oilers, while the two Leeuwin-class perform survey and charting duties.

In addition to the commissioned warships, the RAN operates the sail training ship Young Endeavour and eight Cape-class patrol boats. Other auxiliaries and small craft are not operated by the RAN, but by DMS Maritime, who are contracted to provide support services.[1]

The majority of the RAN fleet is divided between Fleet Base East (HMAS Kuttabul, in Sydney) and Fleet Base West (HMAS Stirling, near Perth). Mine warfare assets are located at HMAS Waterhen (also in Sydney), while HMAS Cairns in Cairns and HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin host the navy's patrol and survey vessels.

Submarines

Collins class

HMAS Collins, lead ship of her class

Australia operates a single class of diesel-electric submarines, the six Collins-class boats which began entering service in 1993. The Collins was designed by the Swedish submarine builder Kockums as the Type 471 specifically to meet Australian requirements, many of which were derived from Australia's need for great range without utilizing a nuclear propulsion system. The boats themselves were built in Australia by the Australian Submarine Corporation in Adelaide. The submarines are classified by the RAN as guided missile submarines (SSG), but are often referred to as hunter-killer submarines (SSK) in the international press. While these vessels represented a major increase in capability for the RAN, they have found themselves mired in numerous technical and operational problems. Meanwhile, the RAN has struggled to sufficiently crew their submarine fleet, with at times no more than two qualified crews available.[2]

The Collins was to be replaced by twelve Shortfin Barracudas a conventionally-powered design of the Barracuda-class nuclear submarine by French shipbuilder Naval Group that had been selected in 2016 and named the Attack-class.[3] In September 2021, in a joint announcement, it was announced that the Attack-class contract had been cancelled, and that Australia would acquire up to eight nuclear-powered submarines with US and UK support through a new trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US named AUKUS.[4][5] In March 2023, AUKUS announced that Australia will buy three Virginia class submarines from the US, with the option to buy two more, with the first boat planned to be delivered to Australia in the early 2030s.[6][7] AUKUS also announced that Australia and the UK will commence construction of a new nuclear-powered submarine class known as the SSN-AUKUS with the first Australian built SSN-AUKUS boat to be delivered by the early 2040s.[8][7] Australia will reportedly build five SSN-AUKUS boats.[9] The entire Collins-class fleet will now receive a Life-of-Type Extension.[5]

SizePerformanceArmamentOther features
Displacement:
3051 t surfaced
3353 t submerged
Length: 77.4 metres (254 ft)
Complement: 58
Submerged speed:
21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Surfaced speed:
10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph)
Surfaced range:
11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km; 13,000 mi)
Submerged range:
480 nautical miles (890 km; 550 mi)
6 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes, firing:
Mark 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedoes,
UGM-84C Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles, or
Stonefish Mark III mines
Sonars:
Scylla, SHORT-TAS
Radar:
Type 1007
Periscope:
CK043, CH093
NamePennant numberCommissionedHomeportNotes
CollinsSSG 7327 July 1996Fleet Base West
FarncombSSG 7431 January 1998Fleet Base West
WallerSSG 7510 July 1999Fleet Base West
DechaineuxSSG 7623 February 2001Fleet Base West
SheeanSSG 7723 February 2001Fleet Base West
RankinSSG 7829 March 2003Fleet Base West

Amphibious warfare

Canberra class

The Canberra class are landing helicopter dock ships based on the design of Spanish ship Juan Carlos I. The hull of each ship was built by the designer, Navantia, then was transported to Australia by heavy lift ship for internal fitout and installation of the superstructure by BAE Systems Australia. Designed to transport and land an amphibious force of up to 1,600 soldiers by landing craft and helicopter, the Canberras are the largest ships ever operated by the RAN. Lead ship HMAS Canberra was commissioned into the RAN in late 2014. The second ship of the class, Adelaide, was commissioned at the end of 2015.

SizePerformanceArmamentOther features
Displacement:
27,500 t full load
Length:
230.82 metres (757.3 ft)
Complement:
358 personnel (293 RAN, 62 Army, 3 RAAF)
1,046–1,600 troops
Maximum speed:
Over 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range:
9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi)
4 × Rafael Typhoon 25 mm
6 × 12.7 mm machine guns
Aviation:
6-spot helicopter deck
8 × helicopters (standard load)
Boats carried:
4 × LLC in well deck
Vehicle deck:
Up to 110 vehicles
NamePennant numberCommissionedHomeportNotes
CanberraL0228 November 2014Fleet Base EastRAN Flagship[10]
AdelaideL014 December 2015Fleet Base East

Choules

The Bay-class landing ship dock HMAS Choules was acquired by the RAN in 2011. The ship was originally built by Swan Hunter for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and entered British service in 2006 as RFA Largs Bay. She was made redundant in the 2011 Strategic Defence and Security Review and sold to Australia. Choules represents a major increase in sealift capability for the RAN, particularly after mechanical issues in 2010 and 2011 forced the early retirement of the navy's two Kanimbla-class vessels, and put HMAS Tobruk in dock for an extensive refit.

SizePerformanceArmamentOther features
Displacement:
16,190 t full load
Length:
176.6 metres (579 ft)
Complement:
158 personnel
356–700 troops
Maximum speed:
18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Range:
8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi)
1 x Phalanx CIWS[11] Aviation:
Helicopter deck, no permanent hangar; temporary hangar can be fitted
Boats carried:
1 × LCU, 1 × LCM-8, or 2 × LCVP in well deck
2 × Mexeflotes on flanks
Vehicle deck:
32 tanks or 150 trucks
NamePennant numberCommissionedHomeportNotes
ChoulesL10013 December 2011Fleet Base EastIn Royal Fleet Auxiliary service 2006–2011

Surface combatants

Hobart class

HMAS Hobart in December 2017

Australia operates a single class of air warfare destroyers (AWD). The Hobart-class AWD are based on the Spanish Navantia F100 frigate and incorporate an Aegis Combat System with an AN/SPY-1D(V)phased array radar. These combined with the SM-2 missile provide an advanced air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150 km (93 mi).

SizePerformanceArmamentOther features
Displacement:
7,000 t full load
Length:
147.2 metres (483 ft)
Complement:
186 + 16 aircrew
Maximum speed:
28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Range:
5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi)
48-cell Mark 41 Vertical Launch System
2 × 4-canister Harpoon missile launchers
1 × Mark 45 Mod 4 5-inch gun
2 × Mark 32 Mod 9 two-tube torpedo launchers
1 × Phalanx CIWS
2 × 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannons in Typhoon mounts
Aviation:
1 x MH-60R Seahawk
Radar:
Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-1D(V) S-band radar
Sonar:
Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems' Integrated Sonar System
NamePennant numberCommissionedHomeportNotes
HobartDDG 3923 September 2017Fleet Base East
Brisbane DDG 41 27 October 2018 Fleet Base East
Sydney DDG 42 19 May 2020 Fleet Base East

Anzac class

Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth (post-ASMD configuration)

There are eight frigates of the Anzac class. These were commissioned from 1996 to 2006 as part of a joint program with New Zealand, whose navy operates an additional two examples. Derived from Blohm + Voss' MEKO modular ship family and designated the MEKO 200 ANZ by that company, the ships were built in Australia by Tenix in Williamstown, Victoria. They are designated as helicopter frigates (FFH) by the RAN, and are designed to be capable of both mid-level patrol and blue water operations. In 2010, these vessels began to receive upgrades to their anti-ship missile defence (ASMD) capabilities.

SizePerformanceArmamentOther features
Displacement:
3600 t full load
Length:
118 metres (387 ft)
Complement:
22 officers + 141 sailors
Maximum speed:
27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Range:
6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi)
5-inch/54 Mk 45 DP gun
8-cell Mk 41 VLS
8 × Harpoon Block II
2 × 3-tube Mk 32 torpedo tubes
Aviation: 1 x MH-60R Seahawk
Radar:
SPS-49(V)8 CEAFAR (part of ASMD upgrade being rolled out across the class)
Sonar:
Spherion B
NamePennant numberCommissionedHomeportNotes
AnzacFFH 15018 May 1996Fleet Base East
AruntaFFH 15112 December 1998Fleet Base East
WarramungaFFH 15231 March 2001Fleet Base East
StuartFFH 15317 August 2002Fleet Base West
ParramattaFFH 1544 October 2003Fleet Base West
BallaratFFH 15526 June 2004Fleet Base West
ToowoombaFFH 1568 October 2005Fleet Base West
PerthFFH 15726 August 2006Fleet Base West
Two additional ships built for and operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy

Patrol and defence

Armidale class

Armidale-class patrol boat HMAS Broome

For patrol of Australia's vast coastline, territorial waters, and offshore territories, the RAN operates four Armidale-class patrol boats. These replaced the Fremantle class from 2005 as the navy's primary asset for border protection, fisheries patrols, and interception of unauthorised arrivals by sea. Based on the Bay-class customs vessels, the Armidale's are significantly enlarged to allow for better range and seakeeping ability. Originally, twelve boats were to be built by Austal, but the establishment of a dedicated patrol force for the North West Shelf Venture saw another two ordered. HMAS Bundaberg was decommissioned in December 2014 after being extensively damaged by an onboard fire.[12] Ongoing problems with the patrol boats, including wear from high operational use and structural issues, prompted the RAN to acquire two Cape-class patrol boats from the Australian Border Force.[13]

Size[14][15]Performance[14][15]Armament[14][15]Other features[14][15]
Displacement:
270 t
Length:
56.8 metres (186 ft)
Complement: 21
Maximum speed:
25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range:
3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi)
1 × 25 mm M242 Bushmaster
2 × 12.7 mm machine guns
2 × Zodiac 7.2 m (24 ft) RHIBs
NamePennant numberCommissionedHomeportNotes
BathurstACPB 8510 February 2006HMAS Coonawarra
AlbanyACPB 8615 July 2006HMAS Coonawarra
BroomeACPB 9010 February 2007HMAS Coonawarra
ChildersACPB 937 July 2007HMAS Coonawarra
Nine boats (Armidale, Pirie, Maitland, Ararat, Glenelg, Launceston, Larrakia, Maryborough and Wollongong) decommissioned and another (Bundaberg) destroyed by fire

Huon class

Huon-class minehunter HMAS Gascoyne

Mine countermeasures at sea are handled by the Huon-class minehunters, which began to enter RAN service from 1999. The class was based on the Italian Navy's Gaeta-class minehunter developed by Intermarine. Development was undertaken in partnership between Intermarine and Australian Defence Industries (ADI). The first hull was built in Italy, with fitting out the first and construction of the remaining five vessels of the class done by ADI in Newcastle, replacing the problematic Bay-class minehunters. In addition to the mine warfare role, individual have been deployed on occasion to support patrol and border protection operations. Four vessels operate out of HMAS Waterhen, in Sydney. An additional two ships were placed in reserve in October 2011.

SizePerformanceArmamentOther features
Displacement:
720 t full load
Length:
52.5 metres (172 ft)
Complement:
6 officers + 33 sailors
Maximum speed:
14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Range:
1,500 nautical miles (2,800 km; 1,700 mi)
1 × 30 mm DS30B autocannon
2 × 12.7 mm machine guns
2 × Double Eagle mine disposal vehicles
Type 1007 navigational radar
Type 2093M minehunting sonar
Type 133 PRISM radar warning
2 × Wallop Super Barricade decoy launchers
NamePennant numberCommissionedHomeportNotes
HuonM 8215 May 1999HMAS Waterhen
GascoyneM 852 June 2001HMAS Waterhen
DiamantinaM 864 May 2002HMAS Waterhen
YarraM 871 March 2003HMAS Waterhen
Hawkesbury and Norman were both placed into reserve in 2011 and subsequently decommissioned in 2018 and sold.

Replenishment

Supply class

The Supply-class replenishment oiler HMAS Supply in 2022

Two Supply-class replenishment ships were ordered from Navantia back in 2016 to replace the RAN's ageing replenishment vessels HMAS Success and HMAS Sirius. The ships are designed to provide fuel, food, ammunition, and other stores to RAN vessels operating well beyond friendly ports. The two ships began commissioning in 2021.

SizePerformanceArmamentOther features
Displacement:
19,500 t full load
Length:
173.9 metres (571 ft)
Complement:
122
Maximum speed:
20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range:
6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi)
1 × Phalanx CIWS
2 × 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannons in Typhoon mounts
1,450 cubic metres of JP5 jet fuel
8,200 cubic metres of marine diesel fuel
1,400 cubic metres of fresh water
270 tonnes of ammunition
470 tonnes of provisions
Aviation:
1 MRH-90 helicopter
NamePennant numberCommissionedHomeportNotes
SupplyA19510 April 2021Fleet Base East
Stalwart A304 13 November 2021 Fleet Base West

Hydrographic survey

Leeuwin class

Leeuwin-class survey vessel HMAS Leeuwin

Two Leeuwin-class survey ships were built for the RAN by NQEA of Cairns. Ordered in 1996, the ships were commissioned in a joint ceremony in 2000. They are capable of charting waters up to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) deep, and carry three Fantome-class survey boats for shallow-water work. In addition to hydrographic surveying duties, since 2001 both vessels have also operated in support of the RAN patrol force.

SizePerformanceArmamentOther features
Displacement:
2,170 t
Length:
71.2 metres (234 ft)
Complement:
10 officers + 46 sailors
Maximum speed:
18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Range:
18,000 nautical miles (33,000 km; 21,000 mi) at 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
2 × × 12.7 mm machine guns Sonars:
C-Tech CMAS 36/39 hull mounted high frequency active sonar
Atlas Fansweep-20 multibeam echo sounder
Atlas Hydrographic Deso single-beam echo sounder
Klein 2000 towed sidescan sonar array
Radar
STN Atlas 9600 ARPA navigation radar
Aviation:
Helicopter deck, no hangar
NamePennant numberCommissionedHomeportNotes
LeeuwinA 24527 May 2000HMAS Cairns
MelvilleA 24627 May 2000HMAS Cairns

Non-commissioned vessels

Young Endeavour

The youth crew of Young Endeavour manning the mast after the ship's arrival at the Australian National Maritime Museum

The sail training ship Young Endeavour was built as a gift from the United Kingdom to Australia for the latter's 1988 bicentenary of colonisation. Built by British shipbuilder Brooke Marine, the brigantine rig vessel is operated by the RAN, but is used to facilitate the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme; a sail training program for Australian youth aged between 16 and 23. A 10-strong RAN crew is supplemented by 24–30 youth on ten-day voyages, with 500 applicants selected every year through two ballots.

NamePennant numberIn serviceHomeportNotes
Young Endeavour25 January 1988HMAS Waterhen

Cape class

ADV Cape Otway at Austal shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia, October 2021

Eight Cape-class patrol boats were built for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (now the Australian Border Force) by Austal between 2012 and 2015, as replacements for the Bay class.[16][17] Following the loss of HMAS Bundaberg and hull issues with the Armidale class requiring an intense remedial maintenance program, two Cape-class patrol boats were leased to the RAN from late 2015 until the end of 2016.[13] The patrol boats operate from HMAS Cairns and HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. These vessles are identified with the Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) prefix, ADV Cape Fourcroy and ADV Cape Inscription retain the blue-and-red customs colour scheme whilst the Elvolved Cape Classes have a gray colour scheme.[18] 2 new boats were ordered on 2017 and the 2 leased were returned to the ABF.

Size[19]Performance[19][20]Armament[19][20]Other features[19][20]
Length:
57.8 metres (190 ft)
Complement: 18
Maximum speed:
25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range:
4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
2 x .50 calibre machine guns 2 × 7.3 m (24 ft) Gemini RHIBs
Name Pennant NumberIn service[18]Homeport[18]Notes
ADV Cape Fourcroy 3102017HMAS Cairns
ADV Cape Inscription 3202017HMAS Cairns
ADV Cape Otway 31423 March 2022HMAS CairnsEvolved Cape class
ADV Cape Peron 315 5 August 2022 HMAS Cairns Evolved Cape class
ADV Cape Naturaliste 316 4 November 2022 HMAS Coonawarra Evolved Cape class
ADV Cape Capricorn 317 13 February 2023 HMAS Coonawarra Evolved Cape class
ADV Cape Woolamai 318 22 June 2023 HMAS Coonawarra Evolved Cape class
ADV Cape Pillar 319 13 October 2023 HMAS Coonawarra Evolved Cape class
Eight additional ships built for and operated by the Australian Border Force

National Support Squadron

In addition to commissioned ships, the RAN is supported by the National Support Squadron which is made up of vessels operated by Teekay Shipping Australia and crewed mainly by civilian mariners. The force comprises:[21]

See also

References

Citations
  1. Saunders & Philpott (eds.), IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016, p. 35
  2. Defense Industry Daily, 23 April 2012
  3. Wroe, David (26 April 2016). "France wins $50b contract to help build Australia's new submarines". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  4. Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson; President of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden (16 September 2021). "Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 Prime Minister; Minister for Defence; Minister for Foreign Affairs; Minister for Women (16 September 2021). "Australia to pursue Nuclear-powered Submarines through new Trilateral Enhanced Security Partnership". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  6. This article contains OGL licensed text This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence v3.0: Ministry of Defence; Defence Nuclear Organisation (14 March 2023). "The AUKUS Nuclear Powered-Submarine Pathway: A Partnership for the Future" (PDF). p. 8. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  7. 1 2 Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak; President of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden (14 March 2023). "Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Retrieved 14 March 2023. This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
  8. Ministry of Defence 2023, p. 7.
  9. Briggs, Peter (12 October 2023). "How many nuclear-powered submarines for Australia?". The Strategist — Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  10. "HMAS Canberra (III)". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  11. "The future of Phalanx in the RAN - Australian Defence Magazine".
  12. Staples, Natalie (19 December 2014). "HMAS Bundaberg decommissioned". Navy Daily. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  13. 1 2 McPhedran, Ian (9 October 2015). "The $3 million cost of Navy's decision to lease patrol boats for border protection". News.com.au. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Kerr, Julian (1 January 2008). "Plain sailing: Australia's Armidales prove fit for task". Jane's Navy International. Jane's Information Group.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Wertheim, Eric, ed. (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems (15th ed.). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2. OCLC 140283156.
  16. Australian Security Magazine, Govt to buy new border patrol vessels
  17. "Austal Awarded Cape Class Patrol Boat Contract". Media Releases. Austal. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  18. 1 2 3 Paroz, Des (5 December 2015). "Cape Class ships join the Fleet". Navy Daily. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Saunders (ed.), IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2012–2013, p. 39
  20. 1 2 3 "Austal Patrol 58 – Cape Class" (PDF). Austal. May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  21. Massie, Mark. "Pacific support vessel shoots to thrill". Department of Defence. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  22. "Defence confirms undersea support vessel - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
Bibliography

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