List of active Royal Australian Navy ships

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet is made up of 51 commissioned warships as of January 2013.

The main strength is the twelve frigates of the surface combatant force: eight Anzac class and four Adelaide class. Six Collins class boats make up the submarine service, although technical and manpower problems mean not all of the submarines are active at any time. 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 (with another two commissioned but in reserve since October 2011). Replenishment at sea is provided by two ships, Sirius and Success, while the two Leeuwin class and four Paluma class vessels perform survey and charting duties.

In addition to the commissioned warships, the RAN operates the sail training ship Young Endeavour, the support vessel ADV Ocean Shield, and two Bandicoot class minesweeper tugboats.

The lion's share 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, survey, and small amphibious vessels.

Surface combatants

Anzac class

Main article: Anzac class frigate

Anzac class frigate HMAS Perth during International Fleet Review 2013, Sydney

The most modern and capable vessels in the Australian fleet are the 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 capabilities.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features
Displacement: 3600 t full load Length: 118 metres (387 ft) Complement: 163 crew (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 x Harpoon Block II 2 x 3-tube Mk 32 torpedo tubes	Aviation: 1 x S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter Radar: SPS-49(V)8 Sonar: Spherion B

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
FFH 150	Anzac	18 May 1996	Fleet Base East
FFH 151	Arunta	12 December 1998	Fleet Base West
FFH 152	Warramunga	31 March 2001	Fleet Base West
FFH 153	Stuart	17 August 2002	Fleet Base West
FFH 154	Parramatta	4 October 2003	Fleet Base East
FFH 155	Ballarat	26 June 2004	Fleet Base East
FFH 156	Toowoomba	8 October 2005	Fleet Base West
FFH 157	Perth	26 August 2006	Fleet Base West

Adelaide class

Main article: Adelaide class frigate

Darwin class frigate HMAS Darwin during theInternational Fleet Review 2013

The Australian take on the American Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate, six Adelaide class frigates were built for the RAN. Four were built by Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington while the final two were built by AMECON in Williamstown, Victoria. They first entered service in 1980, and with the retirement of the Perth-class destroyers, have become the RAN's primary air defence asset. Four of the frigates are currently active after receiving upgrades to their weapons and systems during the 2000s, while the other two were decommissioned to free up funds for the modernisation. The frigates will be retired after the Hobart class destroyers enter service.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features
Displacement: 4100 t full load Length: 139 metres (456 ft) overall Complement: 176-221	Maximum speed: 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) Range: 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi)	3-inch OTO Melara DP gun 8-cell Mk 41 VLS Mk 13 missile launcher 2 x 3-tube Mk 32 torpedo tubes Phalanx CIWS	Aviation: 2 x S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters Radars: AN/SPS-49, AN/SPS-55 Sonar: AN/SQS-56

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
FFG 03	Sydney	29 January 1983	Fleet Base East
FFG 04	Darwin	21 July 1984	Fleet Base East
FFG 05	Melbourne	15 February 1992	Fleet Base East
FFG 06	Newcastle	11 December 1993	Fleet Base East

Submarines

Collins class

Main article: Collins class submarine

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 ships themselves were built in Australia by the Australian Submarine Corporation in Adelaide, South Australia. The submarines are classified by the RAN as guided missile submarines (SSG), but are often referred to as SSK submarines 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. Plans have existed to replace the Collins with an even more ambitious twelve submarine program, although the design of this vessel has yet to be selected and there are many questions in Australia whether the program can be successful in light of the problems encountered in their current fleet.

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 x 21-inch (530 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

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
SSG 73	Collins	27 July 1996	Fleet Base West
SSG 74	Farncomb	31 January 1998	Fleet Base West
SSG 75	Waller	10 July 1999	Fleet Base West
SSG 76	Dechaineux	23 February 2001	Fleet Base West
SSG 77	Sheean	23 February 2001	Fleet Base West
SSG 78	Rankin	29 March 2003	Fleet Base West

Amphibious warfare

Choules

Main article: HMAS Choules (L100)

Superstructure of HMAS 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.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features
Displacement: 16,190 t full load Length: 176.6 metres (579 ft) Complement: 158 officers + sailors 356-700 troops	Maximum speed: 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) Range: 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi)	Unarmed	Aviation: Helicopter deck, no hangar Boats carried: 1 x LCU, 1 x LCM-8, or 2 x LCVP in well deck 2 x Mexeflotes on flanks Vehicle deck: 32 tanks or 150 trucks

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
L100	Choules	13 December 2011	Fleet Base East	In Royal Fleet Auxiliary service 2006-2011

Tobruk

Main article: HMAS Tobruk (L 50)

HMAS Tobruk (L 50) alongside HMAS Kuttabul (naval base)

The sole ship of her class, HMAS Tobruk is a modified version of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Round Table class amphibious logistics ship, and is classified as a "landing ship, heavy" (LSH) by the RAN. Tobruk was the first amphibious warfare ship purpose-built for the RAN; she was constructed at Carrington Slipways in Tomago, New South Wales, and entered service in 1981. Originally planned for decommissioning in the 1990s, she remains in service and will do so until replaced by the Canberra class landing helicopter dock ships. The vessel is capable of conducting roll-on/roll-off operations and can be beached for direct unloading to a beachhead.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features
Displacement: 5800 t full load Length: 126 metres (413 ft) Complement: 145 officers + sailors 520 troops	Maximum speed: 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) Range: 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi)	6 x 12.7 mm machine guns 2 x Mini Typhoon guns	Aviation: 3 x helicopter spots Boats carried: 2 x LCM-8, 2 x LCVP Vehicle deck: 18 tanks, 40 AFVs

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
L 50	Tobruk	23 April 1981	Fleet Base East	To be replaced by Canberra

Balikpapan class

Main article: Balikpapan class landing craft heavy

Lead ship of the class HMAS Balikpapan during theInternational Fleet Review 2013

Eight Balikpapan class landing craft were built in the early 1970s by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland for the Australian Army, but were transferred to the RAN after the first ship, Balikpapan, entered service. The large landing craft can be used as troop or vehicle transports, and can operate both independently (although a box-like keel prevents long voyages in rough conditions) or in a ship-to-shore role by docking with larger amphibious warfare vessels. Two Balikpapan's (HMA Ships Salamaua and Buna) were transferred to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in 1974. Three of the Australian craft were decommissioned during December 2012, while the remaining three will continue operating until 2014.

Size	Performance	Armament	Capacity
Displacement: 503 t full load Length: 44.5 metres (146 ft) Complement: 13 sailors 60-400 troops	Maximum speed: 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) Range: 1,300 nautical miles (2,400 km; 1,500 mi)	2 x 12.7 mm machine guns	Vehicle deck: 3 tanks, 13 AFVs, or 23 light trucks

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
L 127	Brunei	5 January 1973	HMAS Cairns
L 128	Labuan	9 March 1973	HMAS Cairns
L 129	Tarakan	15 June 1973	HMAS Cairns

Patrol and mine warfare

Armidale class

Main article: Armidale class patrol boat

Armidale class patrol boatHMAS Broome during the International Fleet Review 2013

For patrol of Australia's vast coastline, territorial waters, and offshore territories, the RAN operates fourteen 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 Armidales are significantly enlarged to allow for better range and seakeeping ability. Originally, twelve boats were to be built by Austal Ships, but the establishment of a dedicated patrol force for the North West Shelf Venture saw another two ordered. The Australian Patrol Boat Group has divided the class into four divisions, with three ships' companies assigned for every two vessels to achieve higher operational availability.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features
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 x 25 mm M242 Bushmaster 2 x 12.7 mm machine guns	2 x Zodiac 7.2 m (24 ft) RHIBs

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
ACPB 83	Armidale	24 June 2005	HMAS Coonawarra
ACPB 84	Larrakia	10 February 2006	HMAS Coonawarra
ACPB 85	Bathurst	10 February 2006	HMAS Coonawarra
ACPB 86	Albany	15 July 2006	HMAS Coonawarra
ACPB 87	Pirie	29 July 2006	HMAS Coonawarra
ACPB 88	Maitland	29 September 2006	HMAS Coonawarra
ACPB 89	Ararat	13 November 2006	HMAS Coonawarra
ACPB 90	Broome	10 February 2007	HMAS Coonawarra
ACPB 91	Bundaberg	3 March 2007	HMAS Cairns
ACPB 92	Wollongong	23 June 2007	HMAS Cairns
ACPB 93	Childers	7 July 2007	HMAS Cairns
ACPB 94	Launceston	22 September 2007	HMAS Cairns
ACPB 95	Maryborough	8 December 2007	HMAS Coonawarra
ACPB 96	Glenelg	22 February 2008	HMAS Coonawarra

Huon class

Main article: Huon class minehunter

Huon class minesweeper HMAS Gascoyne during theInternational Fleet Review 2013

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 SpA. 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, New South Wales, 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, New South Wales. 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 x 30 mm DS30B autocannon 2 x 12.7 mm machine guns	2 x Double Eagle mine disposal vehicles Type 1007 navigational radar Type 2093M minehunting sonar Type 133 PRISM radar warning 2 x Wallop Super Barricade decoy launchers

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
M 82	Huon	15 May 1999	HMAS Waterhen
M 83	Hawkesbury	12 February 2000	HMAS Waterhen	In reserve
M 84	Norman	26 August 2000	HMAS Waterhen	In reserve
M 85	Gascoyne	2 June 2001	HMAS Waterhen
M 86	Diamantina	4 May 2002	HMAS Waterhen
M 87	Yarra	1 March 2003	HMAS Waterhen

Replenishment

Sirius

Main article: HMAS Sirius (O 266)

HMAS Sirius in 2006

HMAS Sirius was initially built as a civilian oil tanker, but was purchased by the RAN during construction and converted into a replenishment ship for the west coast. Built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea, she was launched in 2004 and commissioned in 2006; costing half the price and becoming active three years before the RAN's original plan of a purpose-build ship.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features
Displacement: 25,016.53 t Length: 191.3 metres (628 ft) Complement: 60	Maximum speed: 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) Range: -	Small arms only	34,806 cz fuel capacity Aviation: Helicopter deck, no hangar

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
O 266	Sirius	16 September 2006	Fleet Base West

Success

Main article: HMAS Success (OR 304)

HMAS Success underway in 2009

The Durance class replenishment oiler HMAS Success is the only example of the class not built for the French Navy. Launched in 1984, the vessel was the largest ever built in Australia for military service, and the last major construction project undertaken by Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features
Displacement: 17,993 t full load Length: 157.2 metres (516 ft) Complement: 220	Maximum speed: 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph) Range: -	2 x Phalanx Mk 15 close-in weapon systems 4 x 12.7 mm machine guns

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
OR 304	Success	23 April 1986	Fleet Base East

Hydrographic survey

Leeuwin class

Main article: Leeuwin class survey vessel

HMAS Leeuwin during the International Fleet Review 2013

Two Leeuwin class survey ships were built for the RAN by NQEA of Cairns, Queensland. 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 x 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

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
A 245	Leeuwin	27 May 2000	HMAS Cairns
A 246	Melville	27 May 2000	HMAS Cairns

Paluma class

Main article: Paluma class survey motor launch

HMAS Benalla during the International Fleet Review 2013

The Paluma class survey motor launches are large catamarans designed for survey operations around northern and eastern Australia. Four ships were built by Elgo Engineering at Port Adelaide, South Australia between 1988 and 1990. The vessels normally operate in pairs.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features
Displacement: 320 t Length: 36.6 metres (120 ft) Complement: 3 officers, 11 sailors	Maximum speed: 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) Range: 1,800 nautical miles (3,300 km; 2,100 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)	None fitted	Radar: JRC JMA-3710-6 navigational radar Sonars: ELAC LAZ 72 side-scan mapping sonar Skipper 113 hull-mounted scanning sonar

No.	Name	Commissioned	Homeport	Notes
A 01	Paluma	27 February 1989	HMAS Cairns
A 02	Mermaid	4 December 1989	HMAS Cairns
A 03	Shepparton	24 January 1990	HMAS Cairns
A 04	Benalla	2 June 2001	HMAS Cairns

Non-commissioned vessels

Young Endeavour

Main article: STS 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.

No.	Name	In service	Homeport	Notes
-	Young Endeavour	25 January 1988	HMAS Waterhen

Ocean Shield

ADV Ocean Shield during the International Fleet Review 2013

Main article: ADV Ocean Shield

An offshore support vessel initially built by STX OSV for DOF Subsea, Ocean Shield was purchased for the RAN during construction. The ship is to be used to provide support during humanitarian and disaster relief operations, supplementing the capability of the RAN's amphibious warships. Ocean Shield is civilian-crewed, and is identified with the ship prefix ADV (Australian Defence Vessel). When the Canberra class amphibious ships enter service, Ocean Shield will be transferred to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features

No.	Name	In service	Homeport	Notes
-	Ocean Shield	2012	Fleet Base East

Bandicoot class

Main article: Bandicoot class minesweeper

MSA Bandicoot at HMAS Waterhen in 2007

The RAN purchased two tugboats from Singaporean company Maritime (PTE) Ltd. in 1990 under the Craft of Opportunity Program, which intended to supplement the navy's minesweeping capability through the acquisition and conversion of civilian vessels. The 1982-built tugboats were converted, and entered service in 1991, designated the Bandicoot class. They were not commissioned into the RAN, and were identified as Minesweeper Auxiliaries, with the prefix MSA. Bandicoot and Wallaroo were placed in reserve in October 2010, but have been reactivated on several occasions since to provide berthing support for visiting nuclear-powered warships.

Size	Performance	Armament	Other features
Displacement: 412 t full load Length: 29.6 metres (97 ft) Complement: 10-12	Maximum speed: 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) Range: 6,300 nautical miles (11,700 km; 7,200 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)	-	Radar: Furuno 7040D I-band navigational radar Sonar: Klein Type 590 sidescan sonar Can be fitted with Mini-Dyad magnetic influence sweep array, AMASS influence sweep array, or mechanical minesweeping gear

No.	Name	In service	Homeport	Notes
Y 298	Bandicoot	1991	HMAS Waterhen	In reserve
Y 299	Wallaroo	1991	HMAS Waterhen	In reserve

See also

• List of Defence Maritime Services vessels
• List of Royal Australian Navy bases

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Defense Industry Daily (23 April 2012). "Australia's Submarine Program In the Dock". Defense Industry Daily. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Australias-Submarine-Program-In-the-Dock-06127/. Retrieved 27 May 2012. 
• Defense Industry Daily (5 May 2012). "Australia's Next Generation Submarines". Defense Industry Daily. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Australias-Next-Generation-Submarines-05917/. Retrieved 27 May 2012. 
• Matterson Marine Pty Ltd (10 March 2007). "Australia: Submarines". Warships. http://www.worldwarships.com/warships_australia_submarines.htm. Retrieved 22 May 2012. 
• Matterson Marine Pty Ltd (3 July 2007). "Australia: Support Ships". Warships. http://www.worldwarships.com/warships_australia_support.htm. Retrieved 22 May 2012. 
• Matterson Marine Pty Ltd (1 December 2007). "Australia: Minor Warships". Warships. http://www.worldwarships.com/warships_australia_minor.htm. Retrieved 22 May 2012. 
• Matterson Marine Pty Ltd (19 January 2008). "Australia: Major Warships". Warships. http://www.worldwarships.com/warships_australia_major.htm. Retrieved 22 May 2012. 
• Royal Australian Navy. "Current Ships". http://www.navy.gov.au/fleet/ships-boats-craft/current-ships. Retrieved 19 December 2012.