Leslie Massey
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet is made up of 33 commissioned warships and 12 non-commissioned vessels as of May 2025. The RAN operates the sail-training ship Young Endeavour, the support vessel ADV Ocean Shield, and two Bandicoot-class minesweeper tugboats. The RAN's main strength consists of three destroyers and seven frigates of the surface combatant force: three Hobart-class destroyers and seven Anzac-class frigates. The Australian fleet's most modern and capable vessels are the eight Anzac-class frigates, commissioned from 1996 to 2006 as part of a joint program with New Zealand.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet
Amphibious warfare assets include the dock landing ship HMAS Choules, the heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk, and three Balikpapan-class heavy landing craft. Fourteen Armidale-class patrol boats perform coastal and economic exclusion zone patrols, and four Huon-class vessels are used for minehunting and clearance.
The RAN operates the sail-training ship Young Endeavour, the support vessel ADV Ocean Shield, and two Bandicoot-class minesweeper tugboats. The most modern and capable vessels in the Australian fleet are the eight Anzac-class frigates, which were commissioned from 1996 to 2006 as part of a joint program with New Zealand. 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 also supply the navy with the currently under-construction Hunter-class frigate vessels.
In March 2023, Australia announced that it would buy three Virginia-class submarines from the US, with the option to buy two more, with the first planned to be delivered in the early 2030s. Australia will also build five SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines in partnership with the UK, with the first expected to be delivered by the early 2040s.
Eating Right After Tonsillectomy: Adult Australian's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Collins-class submarines
The Collins-class submarines are a group of six Australian-built diesel-electric submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). They are named after Australian Vice Admiral John Augustine Collins, with each vessel bearing the name of distinguished RAN personnel from World War II.
The Collins-class submarines were designed by the Swedish submarine builder Kockums as the Type 471, specifically to meet Australia's unique requirements. These submarines were enlarged versions of Kockums' Västergötland class. The RAN classifies them as guided missile submarines (SSG), while the international press often refers to them as hunter-killer submarines (SSK).
The Collins-class submarines were constructed between 1990 and 2003 in South Australia by the Australian Submarine Corporation in Adelaide. Notably, these were the first submarines to be built in Australia, and their development spurred significant advancements in Australian industry. The submarines were commissioned between 1996 and 2003, with the HMAS Collins, the first of the Collins-class submarines, entering service on July 27, 1996.
The Collins-class submarines have been plagued by various technical issues and operational problems throughout their service. These issues have been exacerbated by the RAN's struggle to maintain sufficient personnel to operate the submarines effectively. Despite these challenges, the Collins-class submarines remain an essential element of Australia's defence capabilities, offering stealthy surveillance, anti-submarine capabilities, and precision-strike capabilities with torpedoes and Harpoon missiles.
In recent years, Australia has been working to modernize and extend the lifespan of the Collins-class submarines. A $4-5 billion upgrade program aims to keep these submarines operational through the 2030s, ensuring Australia's defence capabilities remain robust until the country receives advanced nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS treaty.
Alibaba Shipping to Australia: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hobart-class destroyers
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet includes three Hobart-class destroyers: HMAS Hobart (DDG 39), HMAS Brisbane (DDG 41), and HMAS Sydney (DDG 42). These ships were constructed in Australia by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance and were commissioned between 2017 and 2020. The Hobart-class destroyers are based on the Navantia-designed F100 frigate and are fitted with the Aegis Combat System, which includes a phased array radar and SM-2 missiles. This system provides an advanced air defence capability, allowing the destroyers to engage enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges exceeding 150 km.
The Hobart-class destroyers also have the capability to conduct undersea warfare and are equipped with modern sonar systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes, and an array of close-in defensive weapons. They are designed to provide air defence for accompanying ships, land forces, and infrastructure in coastal areas, as well as self-protection against missiles and aircraft. Each ship has a full-load displacement of 6,250 tonnes and a maximum displacement of 7,000 tonnes. They are 147.2 metres long, have a maximum beam of 18.6 metres, and a draught of 5.17 metres.
The control system for the Hobart-class destroyers is provided by Navantia and is a version of the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) designed specifically for these ships. This system allows for the automation, control, and supervision of all the equipment installed on the ship, except for the combat system. The Hobart-class destroyers use a powerful propulsion system, with a combined diesel or gas turbine (CODOG) arrangement, including gas turbines and diesel engines, which provide a total of 47,000 kilowatts of power.
The Hobart-class destroyers are an important part of the RAN's surface combatant force and provide advanced capabilities for air and undersea warfare. With their combination of powerful weaponry, advanced technology, and flexible design, these ships contribute significantly to Australia's naval capabilities and presence in the region.
Sparrow Diet Down Under: What Do They Eat?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Patrol and amphibious vessels
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet consists of 33 commissioned warships and 12 non-commissioned vessels as of May 2025. The RAN has a range of patrol and amphibious vessels, including:
Patrol Vessels
- Armidale-class patrol boats: Three Armidale-class boats perform coastal and economic exclusion zone patrols.
- Cape-class patrol boats: Six Cape-class patrol boats also contribute to coastal and economic exclusion zone patrols. Two of these vessels, ADV Cape Fourcroy and ADV Cape Inscription, retain the blue-and-red customs colour scheme, while the Evolved Cape-class ships have a grey colour scheme.
- Arafura-class patrol boats: The Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia is constructing Arafura-class patrol boats for the RAN.
Amphibious Vessels
- Canberra-class landing helicopter dock ships: The Canberra class consists of two landing helicopter dock ships, which are based on the design of the Spanish ship Juan Carlos I.
- Bay-class landing ship HMAS Choules: The Bay-class landing ship is another amphibious warfare asset in the RAN fleet.
- Army Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels: The Australian Army is establishing littoral lift groups to support littoral and amphibious missions. These groups will host Army Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels, including landing craft medium and heavy, to be procured in Phases 1 and 2 LAND 8710.
Insulin Access in Australia: Who Gets It for Free?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nuclear-powered submarines
Australia has been working to develop its fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. In 2021, the Australian government announced its intention to acquire nuclear-powered submarines with the support of the US and the UK through the AUKUS security partnership. AUKUS, a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US, aims to counter the perceived threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Initially, Australia planned to replace its Collins-class submarines with French-designed Attack-class submarines. However, this contract was cancelled, and Australia shifted its focus towards nuclear-powered options. The AUKUS agreement includes the purchase of US Virginia-class submarines and the joint development of the SSN-AUKUS, a new nuclear-powered submarine class.
The Virginia-class submarines are highly advanced and offer extended underwater endurance, greater speed, and the capability to carry heavier loads compared to conventionally-powered submarines. Australia plans to buy three Virginia-class submarines, with the option to buy two more, with deliveries expected in the early 2030s.
The SSN-AUKUS, on the other hand, represents a collaborative effort to design and construct a new class of nuclear-powered submarines. The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, described the SSN-AUKUS as "one of the most advanced nuclear-powered submarines in the world." Australia is expected to build five SSN-AUKUS boats, with the first delivery anticipated in the early 2040s.
While the exact number of nuclear-powered submarines Australia aims to acquire has been a subject of discussion, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead confirmed the plan for a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines, including three Virginia-class vessels. The Australian government has emphasized the importance of developing a sovereign capability, with construction taking place in Australian shipyards and creating significant job opportunities.
Australia Bans Fox News: What's the Real Story?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Here are some Australian military ship names:
- HMAS Waterhen
- HMAS Tobruk
- HMAS Choules
- HMAS Stirling
- HMAS Coonawarra
- HMAS Cairns
Some classes of ships in the Australian military are:
- Collins-class
- Canberra-class
- Hobart-class
- Anzac-class
- Adelaide-class
The Australian military operates a variety of ship types, including:
- Destroyers
- Frigates
- Submarines
- Patrol boats
- Minehunters
The Australian military has several submarines, including the Collins-class submarines and the upcoming SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
Yes, while many ships are built in Australia, some have been built elsewhere. For example, four Adelaide-class frigates were built by Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, USA, and two were built by AMECON in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia.
