Leslie Massey
The Royal Australian Navy is a significant force in the Asia-Pacific region, with a fleet of over 50 commissioned vessels and 16,000 personnel. The RAN fleet is primarily 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 in Sydney, while HMAS Cairns in Cairns and HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin host the navy's patrol and survey vessels. The Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia has been the main supplier of 'Tier 1 combatant' vessels, including the Collins-class submarine fleet and Hobart-class destroyer fleet. The RAN has recently acquired new vessels and capabilities, including the Canberra-class amphibious vessels and upgrades to the Anzac-class frigates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of commissioned warships | 33 |
| Number of non-commissioned warships | 12 |
| Surface combatant force | 3 destroyers and 7 frigates |
| Destroyer classes | Hobart class, Daring class, Perth class, Battle class, Ballarat class DDG |
| Frigate classes | Anzac class, Hunter class, Australia class |
| Submarine service | 6 Collins-class boats, Oberon class, Shortfin Barracudas, Virginia class, SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarines |
| Amphibious warfare assets | 2 Canberra-class landing helicopter dock ships, 1 Bay-class landing ship (HMAS Choules) |
| Patrol boats | 3 Armidale-class, 8 Cape-class, Arafura class |
| Mine warfare assets | 2 Huon-class vessels, Gaeta-class minehunter |
| Replenishment | 2 Supply-class replenishment oilers, 1 Leeuwin-class (Melville) |
| Survey and charting duties | Leeuwin-class (Melville) |
| Primary bases | Fleet Base East (HMAS Kuttabul, Sydney), Fleet Base West (HMAS Stirling, near Perth) |
| Minor war vessel bases | HMAS Cairns (Cairns), HMAS Coonawarra (Darwin), HMAS Waterhen (Sydney) |
| Personnel | 15,285 active duty, over 16,000 total |
| Trackable ships | 18 |
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What You'll Learn
Ship classes and capabilities
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet consists of 33 commissioned warships and 12 non-commissioned vessels as of May 2025. The RAN has two primary bases for its fleet: Fleet Base East, located at HMAS Kuttabul, Sydney, and Fleet Base West, located at HMAS Stirling, near Perth. Additionally, three other bases are home to most of the RAN's minor war vessels: HMAS Cairns in Cairns, HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, and HMAS Waterhen in Sydney.
The RAN's main strength lies in its surface combatant force, which includes three Hobart-class destroyers and seven Anzac-class frigates. The Hobart-class AWDs are based on the Spanish Navantia F100 frigate design and are equipped with an advanced air defence system capable of engaging targets beyond 150 km. The Anzac-class frigates, on the other hand, are designed for both mid-level patrol and blue-water operations and have been upgraded with enhanced anti-ship missile defence capabilities.
The submarine service of the RAN is composed of six Collins-class boats, which are classified as guided missile submarines (SSG) or hunter-killer submarines (SSK) by the RAN. These submarines were specifically designed by Swedish submarine builder Kockums to meet Australia's unique requirements, including the need for great range without nuclear propulsion. While the Collins-class submarines have faced technical and crewing challenges, they represent a significant increase in the RAN's capabilities.
The RAN also possesses several patrol boats for coastal and economic exclusion zone patrols. These include three Armidale-class and six Cape-class patrol boats. The Armidale-class boats serve as the primary asset for border protection, fisheries patrols, and interception of unauthorised sea arrivals. Meanwhile, the Cape-class boats were built for the Australian Border Force to enhance patrol capabilities.
Additionally, the RAN has amphibious warfare assets, including two Canberra-class landing helicopter dock ships and the Bay-class landing ship HMAS Choules. These ships provide increased sealift capability and support amphibious operations. The RAN also maintains replenishment at sea with two Supply-class replenishment oilers and survey and charting capabilities through the Leeuwin-class vessel Melville.
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Ship bases and shipyards
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has two primary bases for its fleet. The first, Fleet Base East, is located at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney. Sydney has historically been a major naval base for British and Australian forces due to its vast and well-protected natural harbour of Port Jackson. The second primary base, Fleet Base West, is located at HMAS Stirling, near Perth.
In addition to these two primary bases, three other bases house the majority of the RAN's minor war vessels: HMAS Cairns in Cairns, HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, and HMAS Waterhen in Sydney. Mine warfare assets are located at HMAS Waterhen, while HMAS Cairns and HMAS Coonawarra host the navy's patrol and survey vessels.
The RAN consists of over 52 commissioned vessels and 11 non-commissioned vessels, with a significant presence in the Indian Ocean and worldwide operations. The Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia has been the main supplier of 'Tier 1 combatant' vessels to the RAN for over 30 years. The shipyard has constructed the entire Collins-class submarine fleet, Hobart-class destroyer fleet, and is currently building the Hunter-class frigate vessels. The Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia supplies the RAN with smaller 'Tier 2 surface combatant' vessels.
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Ship history
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has seen action in every ocean of the world. It was formed in 1901 as the Commonwealth Naval Forces (CNF) through the amalgamation of the colonial navies of Australia following the federation of Australia. The RAN initially consisted of the former New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, Western Australian, South Australian, and Tasmanian ships and resources of their disbanded navies.
During World War I, the RAN saw action in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. Between the wars, the RAN's fortunes shifted with the financial situation of Australia. It experienced great growth in the 1920s but was forced to reduce its fleet and operations during the 1930s. As a result, when it entered World War II, the RAN was smaller than it had been at the start of World War I. During World War II, the RAN operated more than 350 fighting and support ships, with an additional 600 small civilian vessels put into service as auxiliary patrol boats.
Following World War II, the RAN continued to see action in the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, and the Vietnam War. During the Vietnam War, eight officers and sailors were killed, and 46 were wounded or suffered other injuries. The only uniquely Australian battle honour during this time was "Vietnam 1965–72".
In more recent years, the RAN has been involved in various operations, including Operation Astute in East Timor in 2006 and Operation Anode in the Solomon Islands in 2003. The RAN has also provided disaster relief, such as in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Tracy in 1974, which resulted in the largest peacetime disaster relief operation in its history.
As of 2024, the RAN consists of over 52 commissioned vessels, 11 non-commissioned vessels, and over 16,000 personnel. The RAN has two primary bases for its fleet: Fleet Base East, located at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney, and Fleet Base West, located at HMAS Stirling near Perth.
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Ship tracking
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) operates 18 active trackable ships, which can be monitored in real time. Cruising Earth is a website that offers free live tracking of RAN ships. It provides additional information such as the ship's route, speed, course history, itinerary updates, port destinations, and estimated arrival times. To use this service, users must register for a free account.
The RAN fleet consists of 33 commissioned warships and 12 non-commissioned vessels as of May 2025. The RAN has two primary bases for its fleet: Fleet Base East, located at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney, and Fleet Base West, located at HMAS Stirling near Perth. In addition, three other bases are home to most of the RAN's minor war vessels: HMAS Cairns in Cairns, HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, and HMAS Waterhen in Sydney.
The RAN is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and is one of the largest and most sophisticated naval forces in the South Pacific region, with a significant presence in the Indian Ocean and worldwide operations. The RAN has participated in several major wars, including the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has implemented the Modernised Australian Ship Tracking and Reporting System (MASTREP) to track vessels in the Australian Search and Rescue Region (SRR). MASTREP uses AIS technology to provide positional data on vessels, allowing Australia to meet its search and rescue (SAR) obligations.
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Ship personnel
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has a strong and sophisticated naval force with a significant presence in the Indian Ocean and worldwide operations. As of 2024, the RAN consists of over 16,000 personnel.
The RAN has two primary bases for its fleet: Fleet Base East, located at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney, and Fleet Base West, located at HMAS Stirling, near Perth. In addition, three other bases house the majority of the RAN's minor war vessels: HMAS Cairns in Cairns, HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, and HMAS Waterhen in Sydney.
HMAS Waterhen in Sydney is home to the mine warfare assets, while HMAS Cairns and HMAS Coonawarra host the navy's patrol and survey vessels. Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia has been the main supplier of 'Tier 1 combatant' vessels to the RAN, constructing the Collins-class submarine fleet and Hobart-class destroyer fleet. Osborne will also supply the upcoming Hunter-class frigate vessels and nuclear-powered submarines. The Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia will provide the RAN with smaller 'Tier 2 surface combatant' vessels.
The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) recruits battalions of serving and former seamen. ANMEF works in conjunction with other RAN vessels and New Zealand's Samoa Expeditionary Force for operations like the takeover of German Samoa.
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Frequently asked questions
The RAN has two primary bases: Fleet Base East, located at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney, and Fleet Base West, located at HMAS Stirling near Perth.
As of March 2022, the Royal Australian Navy consists of 43 commissioned vessels and 3 non-commissioned vessels. However, other sources state that the RAN currently operates 33 commissioned vessels and 12 non-commissioned vessels.
The RAN operates a large number of vessels, including patrol boats, minehunters, frigates, submarines, and landing helicopter dock ships. Some specific examples include the HMAS Supply, HMAS Success, HMAS Stalwart, HMAS Sirius, and HMAS Canberra-class amphibious vessels.
