List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet is made up of 36 commissioned warships and 8 non-commissioned as of June 2023[update].
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. Six 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 edit
Collins class edit
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]
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collins | SSG 73 | 27 July 1996 | Fleet Base West | |
| Farncomb | SSG 74 | 31 January 1998 | Fleet Base West | |
| Waller | SSG 75 | 10 July 1999 | Fleet Base West | |
| Dechaineux | SSG 76 | 23 February 2001 | Fleet Base West | |
| Sheean | SSG 77 | 23 February 2001 | Fleet Base West | |
| Rankin | SSG 78 | 29 March 2003 | Fleet Base West |
Amphibious warfare edit
Canberra class edit
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.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra | L02 | 28 November 2014 | Fleet Base East | RAN Flagship[10] |
| Adelaide | L01 | 4 December 2015 | Fleet Base East |
Choules edit
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.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choules | L100 | 13 December 2011 | Fleet Base East | In Royal Fleet Auxiliary service 2006–2011 |
Surface combatants edit
Hobart class edit
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).
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | DDG 39 | 23 September 2017 | Fleet Base East | |
| Brisbane | DDG 41 | 27 October 2018 | Fleet Base East | |
| Sydney | DDG 42 | 19 May 2020 | Fleet Base East |
Anzac class edit
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.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anzac | FFH 150 | 18 May 1996 | Fleet Base East | |
| Arunta | FFH 151 | 12 December 1998 | Fleet Base East | |
| Warramunga | FFH 152 | 31 March 2001 | Fleet Base East | |
| Stuart | FFH 153 | 17 August 2002 | Fleet Base West | |
| Parramatta | FFH 154 | 4 October 2003 | Fleet Base West | |
| Ballarat | FFH 155 | 26 June 2004 | Fleet Base West | |
| Toowoomba | FFH 156 | 8 October 2005 | Fleet Base West | |
| Perth | FFH 157 | 26 August 2006 | Fleet Base West | |
| Two additional ships built for and operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy | ||||
Patrol and defence edit
Armidale class edit
For patrol of Australia's vast coastline, territorial waters, and offshore territories, the RAN operates six 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathurst | ACPB 85 | 10 February 2006 | HMAS Coonawarra | |
| Albany | ACPB 86 | 15 July 2006 | HMAS Coonawarra | |
| Broome | ACPB 90 | 10 February 2007 | HMAS Coonawarra | |
| Childers | ACPB 93 | 7 July 2007 | HMAS Coonawarra | |
| Nine boats (Armidale, Pirie, Maitland, Ararat, Glenelg, Launceston, Larrakia, Maryborough and Wollongong) decommissioned and another (Bundaberg) destroyed by fire | ||||
Huon class edit
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.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huon | M 82 | 15 May 1999 | HMAS Waterhen | |
| Gascoyne | M 85 | 2 June 2001 | HMAS Waterhen | |
| Diamantina | M 86 | 4 May 2002 | HMAS Waterhen | |
| Yarra | M 87 | 1 March 2003 | HMAS Waterhen | |
| Hawkesbury and Norman were both placed into reserve in 2011 and subsequently decommissioned in 2018 and sold. | ||||
Replenishment edit
Supply class edit
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.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supply | A195 | 10 April 2021 | Fleet Base East | |
| Stalwart | A304 | 13 November 2021 | Fleet Base West |
Hydrographic survey edit
Leeuwin class edit
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.
| Size | Performance | Armament | Other 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 |
| Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeuwin | A 245 | 27 May 2000 | HMAS Cairns | |
| Melville | A 246 | 27 May 2000 | HMAS Cairns |
Non-commissioned vessels edit
Young Endeavour edit
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.
| Name | Pennant number | In service | Homeport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young Endeavour | – | 25 January 1988 | HMAS Waterhen |
Cape class edit
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] In naval service, the two rotating crew groups for each of the two vessel are made up of RAN personnel, the patrol boats operate from HMAS Cairns, and are identified with the Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) prefix, but retain the blue-and-red customs 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 Number | In service[18] | Homeport[18] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADV Cape Fourcroy | 310 | 2017 | HMAS Cairns | |
| ADV Cape Inscription | 320 | 2017 | HMAS Cairns | |
| ADV Cape Otway | 314 | 23 March 2022 | HMAS Cairns | Evolved 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 edit
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]
- MV Besant (Submarine support)
- MV Mercator (Navigational training vessel)
- MV Sycamore (Aviation training vessel)
- MV Stoker (Submarine support)
- ADV Ocean Protector (Border protection)
- ADV Reliant (Pacific support vessel)
- ADV Guidance (Undersea Support Vessel)[22]
See also edit
References edit
- Citations
- ^ Saunders & Philpott (eds.), IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016, p. 35
- ^ Defense Industry Daily, 23 April 2012
- ^ Wroe, David (26 April 2016). "France wins $50b contract to help build Australia's new submarines". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- ^ 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). from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ a b 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). from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Ministry of Defence 2023, p. 7.
- ^ Briggs, Peter (12 October 2023). "How many nuclear-powered submarines for Australia?". The Strategist — Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "HMAS Canberra (III)". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "The future of Phalanx in the RAN - Australian Defence Magazine".
- ^ Staples, Natalie (19 December 2014). "HMAS Bundaberg decommissioned". Navy Daily. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c d Kerr, Julian (1 January 2008). "Plain sailing: Australia's Armidales prove fit for task". Jane's Navy International. Jane's Information Group.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ Australian Security Magazine, Govt to buy new border patrol vessels
- ^ . Media Releases. Austal. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ^ a b c Paroz, Des (5 December 2015). "Cape Class ships join the Fleet". Navy Daily. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d Saunders (ed.), IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2012–2013, p. 39
- ^ a b c (PDF). Austal. May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ Massie, Mark. "Pacific support vessel shoots to thrill". Department of Defence. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
- ^ "Defence confirms undersea support vessel - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- Bibliography
- Defense Industry Daily (23 April 2012). "Australia's Submarine Program in the Dock". Defense Industry Daily. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- Defense Industry Daily (5 May 2012). "Australia's Next Generation Submarines". Defense Industry Daily. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- Royal Australian Navy. "Current Ships". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
- Saunders, Stephen; Philpott, Tom, eds. (7 August 2015). IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016. Jane's Fighting Ships (116th Revised ed.). Coulsdon: IHS Jane's. ISBN 9780710631435. OCLC 919022075.
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