List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet is made up of 34 commissioned warships and 12 non-commissioned Template:As of, with the non-commissioned vessels using the prefix of ADV (Australian Defence Vessel).
The main strength consists of three destroyers and seven frigates of the surface combatant force: three Hobart class destroyers and seven Anzac class frigates. Six Collins-class boats make up the submarine service. Amphibious warfare assets include two Canberra-class landing helicopter dock ships and the Bay-class landing ship Template:HMAS. One Arafura-class, three Armidale-class and ten Cape-class patrol boats perform coastal and economic exclusion zone patrols, and two Huon-class vessels are used for minehunting and clearance (four have been decommissioned). Replenishment at sea is provided by two Supply-class replenishment oilers, while the final remaining Leeuwin-class hydrographic survey vessel, HMAS Melville, perform survey and charting duties.
In addition to the commissioned warships, the RAN operates the sail training ship Young Endeavour, four non-commissioned Cape-class patrol boats and seven individual ships make up the National Support Squadron. 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 (Template:HMAS, in Sydney) and Fleet Base West (Template:HMAS, near Perth). Mine warfare assets are located at Template:HMAS (also in Sydney), while Template:HMAS in Cairns and Template:HMAS in Darwin host the navy's patrol and survey vessels.
For over 30 years, the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia has been the main supplier of 'Tier 1 combatant' vessels to the RAN, having constructed the entire Collins-class submarine fleet and Hobart-class destroyer fleet. Osborne will further supply the navy with the currently under-construction Hunter-class frigate vessels, as well as SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarines and Hobart class guided-missile destroyer replacements. The Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia will supply the RAN with smaller 'Tier 2 surface combatant' vessels. These include Australian general purpose frigate's, Large Optionally-Crewed Surface Vessel's (LOSV), and Cape class and Arafura class patrol boats.
Submarines
Collins class
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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 Template:Sclass 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.Template:Sfn[7] Australia will reportedly build five SSN-AUKUS boats.[8] The entire Collins-class fleet will now receive a Life-of-Type Extension.[5]
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 3051 t surfaced 3353 t submerged Length: Template:Convert Complement: 58 |
Submerged speed: Template:Convert Surfaced speed: Template:Convert Surfaced range: Template:Convert Submerged range: Template:Convert |
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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HMAS | SSG 73 | 27 July 1996 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS | SSG 74 | 31 January 1998 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS | SSG 75 | 10 July 1999 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS | SSG 76 | 23 February 2001 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS | SSG 77 | 23 February 2001 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS | SSG 78 | 29 March 2003 | Fleet Base West |
Amphibious warfare
Canberra class
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The Canberra class are landing helicopter dock ships based on the design of Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".. 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 Template:HMAS was commissioned into the RAN in late 2014. The second ship of the class, Template:HMAS, was commissioned at the end of 2015.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 27,500 t full load Length: Template:Convert Complement: 358 personnel (293 RAN, 62 Army, 3 RAAF) 1,046–1,600 troops |
Maximum speed: Over Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert |
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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HMAS | L02 | 28 November 2014 | Fleet Base East | RAN Flagship[9] |
| Template:HMAS | L01 | 4 December 2015 | Fleet Base East |
Choules
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The Bay-class landing ship dock Template:HMAS 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 Template:HMAS in dock for an extensive refit.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 16,190 t full load Length: Template:Convert Complement: 158 personnel 356–700 troops |
Maximum speed: Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert |
1 × Phalanx CIWS[10] | 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HMAS | L100 | 13 December 2011 | Fleet Base East | In Royal Fleet Auxiliary service 2006–2011 |
Surface combatants
Hobart class
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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 Template:Cvt.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 7,000 t full load Length: Template:Convert Complement: 186 + 16 aircrew |
Maximum speed: Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert |
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 × MH-60R Seahawk Radar: Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-1D(V) S-band radar Sonar: Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems' Integrated Sonar System |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HMAS | DDG 39 | 23 September 2017 | Fleet Base East | |
| Template:HMAS | DDG 41 | 27 October 2018 | Fleet Base East | |
| Template:HMAS | DDG 42 | 19 May 2020 | Fleet Base East |
Anzac class
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There are seven frigates of the Anzac class (the lead ship of the class has been retired). 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[[Aegis Combat System|anti-ship missile defence (ASMD) capabilities.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 3600 t full load Length: Template:Convert Complement: 22 officers + 141 sailors |
Maximum speed: Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert |
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 × MH-60R Seahawk Radar: CEAFAR radar system incorporating CEAFAR-S S-band multi-function radar, CEAFAR-L L-band long range search radar and CEAMOUNT X-band target illuminator (part of AMCAP upgrade being rolled out across the class) Sonar: Spherion B |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HMAS | FFH 151 | 12 December 1998 | Fleet Base East | |
| Template:HMAS | FFH 152 | 31 March 2001 | Fleet Base East | |
| Template:HMAS | FFH 153 | 17 August 2002 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS | FFH 154 | 4 October 2003 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS | FFH 155 | 26 June 2004 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS | FFH 156 | 8 October 2005 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS | FFH 157 | 26 August 2006 | Fleet Base West | |
| Template:HMAS decommissioned May 2024. Two additional ships built for and operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy | ||||
Patrol and defence
Arafura class
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The Arafura-class is a new fleet of offshore patrol vessels being built for the Royal Australian Navy. Originally, the plan was to replace 26 older ships from four different classes with 20 versatile vessels under the SEA 1180 project, each designed to take on a range of tasks like border patrol, mine clearance, and hydrographic surveys using modular mission systems. However, in 2013, the government decided to fast-track the replacement of the aging Armidale-class patrol boats using an existing ship design, while extending the service life of the other vessels. This led to the current Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program, which initially aimed 12 ships and a later proposal of expanded to it 14 with the addition of 2 mine countermeasure variants under a separate project, SEA 1905. This number was then reduced to just 6 of the original design as part of the 2024 Defence Strategic Review.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 1,640 t Length: Template:Convert Complement: 40 |
Maximum speed: Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert |
1 × 25 mm M242 Bushmaster 2 × 12.7 mm machine guns |
2 × Boomeranger FRB 850 Template:Convert RHIBs
1 x Boomeranger C1100 Template:Convert |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMAS Arafura | OPV 203 | 28 June 2025 | Template:HMAS | |
| HMAS Eyre | OPV 204 | 2025 | Template:HMAS | Sea trials |
Armidale class
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For patrol of Australia's vast coastline, territorial waters, and offshore territories, the RAN operates four Armidale-class patrol boats. These replaced the Template:Sclass from 2005 as the navy's primary asset for border protection, fisheries patrols, and interception of unauthorised arrivals by sea. Based on the Template:Sclass2 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. Template:HMAS was decommissioned in December 2014 after being extensively damaged by an onboard fire.[11] 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.[12]
| Size[13][14] | Performance[13][14] | Armament[13][14] | Other features[13][14] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 270 t Length: Template:Convert Complement: 21 |
Maximum speed: Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert |
1 × 25 mm M242 Bushmaster 2 × 12.7 mm machine guns |
2 × Zodiac Template:Convert RHIBs |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HMAS | ACPB 85 | 10 February 2006 | Template:HMAS | |
| Template:HMAS | ACPB 86 | 15 July 2006 | Template:HMAS | |
| Template:HMAS | ACPB 93 | 7 July 2007 | Template:HMAS | |
| Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS and Template:HMAS decommissioned between March 2021 and August 2024; Template:HMAS destroyed by fire December 2014 | ||||
Cape class
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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 Template:Sclass2.[15][16] Following the loss of Template:HMAS 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.[12] The patrol boats operate from Template:HMAS and Template:HMAS in Darwin. These vessels 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 Evolved Cape-class ships have a gray colour scheme.[17] Two new boats were ordered on 2017 and the two leased were returned to the ABF.
| Size[18] | Performance[18][19] | Armament[18][19] | Other features[18][19] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length: Template:Convert Complement: 18 |
Maximum speed: Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert at Template:Convert |
2 × .50 calibre machine guns | 2 × Template:Convert Gemini RHIBs |
| Name | Pennant Number | In service[17] | Homeport[17] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADV Cape Fourcroy | 310 | 2017 | Template:HMAS | |
| ADV Cape Inscription | 320 | 2017 | Template:HMAS | |
| ADV Cape Otway | P314 | 23 March 2022 | Template:HMAS | Evolved Cape class |
| ADV Cape Peron | P315 | 5 August 2022 | Template:HMAS | Evolved Cape class |
| Template:HMAS | P316 | 4 November 2022 | Template:HMAS | Evolved Cape class |
| Template:HMAS | P317 | 13 February 2023 | Template:HMAS | Evolved Cape class |
| Template:HMAS | P318 | 22 June 2023 | Template:HMAS | Evolved Cape class |
| HMAS Cape Pillar | P319 | 13 October 2023 | Template:HMAS | Evolved Cape class |
| HMAS Cape Solander | P312 | 1 August 2024 | Evolved Cape class | |
| HMAS Cape Schanck | P313 | 1 November 2024 | Evolved Cape class | |
| Eight additional ships built for and operated by the Australian Border Force | ||||
Huon class
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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 Template:Sclass 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 Template:Sclass2 minehunters. In addition to the mine warfare role, they have been deployed on multiple occasions to support Northern Australian patrol and border protection operations. Three vessels operate out of Template:HMAS, in Sydney. The others has been decommissioned and either sold (Norman and Hawkesbury) or awaiting further options (Huon and Gascoyne).
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 720 t full load Length: Template:Convert Complement: 6 officers + 33 sailors |
Maximum speed: Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert |
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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HMAS | M 86 | 4 May 2002 | HMAS Waterhen | |
| Template:HMAS | M 87 | 1 March 2003 | HMAS Waterhen | |
| Template:HMAS and Template:HMAS were both placed into reserve in 2011 and decommissioned in 2018. Template:HMAS and Template:HMAS were decommissioned in 2024. | ||||
Replenishment
Supply class
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Two Supply-class replenishment ships were ordered in 2016, the ships are based on Spanish Navantia's design AOR Cantabria, these ships replaced 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 vessels were built at Navantia's shipyard in Ferrol.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 19,500 t full load Length: Template:Convert Complement: 122 |
Maximum speed: Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert |
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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HMAS | A195 | 10 April 2021 | Fleet Base East | |
| Template:HMAS | A304 | 13 November 2021 | Fleet Base West |
Hydrographic survey
Leeuwin class
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Only one of the two Leeuwin-class survey ships is still active as of 3 November 2024. They 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 Template:Convert 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.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement: 2,170 t Length: Template:Convert Complement: 10 officers + 46 sailors |
Maximum speed: Template:Convert Range: Template:Convert at Template:Convert |
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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:HMAS | A 245 | 27 May 2000 | Template:HMAS | |
| Template:HMAS decommissioned August 2024. | ||||
Non-commissioned vessels
Young Endeavour
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The sail training ship Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 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.
| Name | Pennant number | In service | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | – | 25 January 1988 | Template:HMAS |
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:[20]
| Name | Vessel type | Class | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MV Besant | Submarine rescue ship | - | 2015 | |
| MV Mercator | Navigation training vessel | - | 1998 | |
| MV Sycamore | Aviation training vessel | - | 2017 | |
| MV Stoker | Submarine rescue ship | - | 2016 | carries the LR5 submarine rescue vehicle |
| ADV Ocean Protector | Auxiliary naval vessel | - | 2016 | conducts border protection duties |
| ADV Reliant | Auxiliary naval vessel | - | 2022 | Pacific Support Vessel |
| ADV Guidance | Auxiliary naval vessel | - | 2023 | Undersea Support Vessel |
Future fleet
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See also
- List of Defence Maritime Services vessels
- List of Royal Australian Navy bases
- List of Royal Australian Navy ships
References
- Citations
- Bibliography
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- ↑ Saunders & Philpott (eds.), IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016, p. 35
- ↑ Defense Industry Daily, 23 April 2012
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- ↑ Template:OGL-attribution
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".File:CC-BY icon.svg This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
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- ↑ Australian Security Magazine, Govt to buy new border patrol vessels
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- ↑ a b c d Saunders (ed.), IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2012–2013, p. 39
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