The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) remains a cornerstone of Australia’s national defence and a critical enabler of maritime stability across the Indo-Pacific. As the world’s strategic landscape grows increasingly complex — with rising geopolitical tensions, evolving technological threats, and the proliferation of maritime trade—the RAN has adapted to safeguard Australia’s vast maritime interests, economic zones, and strategic partnerships.
As of 2025, the Royal Australian Navy operates a fleet of nearly 50 commissioned vessels, ranging from advanced destroyers and submarines to agile patrol boats and multi-role support ships. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the RAN’s composition, capabilities, roles, and future development in the context of regional security dynamics.
A Legacy Anchored in Strategy: Historical Context of the RAN
Founded in 1911, the Royal Australian Navy has evolved from a modest colonial fleet into one of the most advanced and strategically aligned naval forces in the Southern Hemisphere. The RAN has consistently played a critical role in defending Australia’s borders, ensuring freedom of navigation, and responding to regional humanitarian crises.
Today, the RAN’s mission extends far beyond Australian waters, integrating with allies and partners to promote security across the Indo-Pacific through exercises, freedom-of-navigation operations, and disaster relief missions.
Fleet Overview: Composition and Capabilities
The Royal Australian Navy comprises a balanced force of surface combatants, submarines, amphibious ships, patrol vessels, minehunters, and replenishment support ships.
Surface Combatants: Destroyers and Frigates
These frontline ships are central to the RAN’s ability to project power and defend against airborne, surface, and underwater threats.
Hobart-class Destroyers
- Number in service: 3 (HMAS Hobart, Brisbane, and Sydney)
- Displacement: 7,000 tonnes
- Top speed: 28+ knots
- Key systems: Aegis Combat System, Mk 41 Vertical Launch System
- Roles: Long-range air defense, command and control, escort missions
These advanced destroyers serve as the backbone of Australia’s naval air defence capabilities. Armed with SM-2 and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSMs), they can detect, track, and neutralise aerial threats well beyond the horizon.
Guided missile destroyer: HMAS Hobart (III) [Navy, Australia]
Anzac-class Frigates
- Number in service: 7 (e.g., HMAS Anzac, Arunta)
- Displacement: 3,600 tonnes
- Top speed: 27 knots
- Armament: Harpoon missiles, 5-inch gun, Mk 41 VLS
Designed for multi-role missions, Anzac-class frigates are effective in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surface engagements, and limited air defence. These vessels have seen extensive upgrades to sensor and missile systems under the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) program.
Submarine Fleet: Undersea Warfare Capabilities
Collins-class Submarines
- Number in service: 6
- Displacement: 3,407 tonnes (submerged)
- Top speed: 20 knots (submerged)
- Armament: Mark 48 torpedoes, UGM-84 Harpoon missiles
Australia’s submarine fleet is a strategic deterrent, capable of long-endurance operations in contested environments. The Collins-class submarines, though due for replacement, continue to offer Australia stealth and striking capability in critical waterways.
HMAS Collins, a diesel-electric submarine equipped with guided missiles [Navy, Australia]
Amphibious Assault and Logistics
These ships support power projection, humanitarian missions, and regional stability operations.
Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs)
- Number in service: 2 (HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide)
- Displacement: 27,800 tonnes
- Capacity: Up to 18 helicopters and 1,046 embarked troops
These floating command centers can support amphibious assaults, evacuations, and disaster relief missions. Their ability to carry troops, vehicles, and helicopters makes them indispensable for joint operations.
HMAS Choules (Bay-class LSD)
- Displacement: 16,190 tonnes
- Capacity: 356 troops, 32 Abrams tanks
Originally built for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (UK), Choules enhances the RAN’s heavy lift and amphibious transport capability. It’s also a critical platform for disaster response.
Patrol Boats and Maritime Surveillance
Armidale-class Patrol Boats
- Number in service: 3
- Displacement: 300 tonnes
- Top speed: 25 knots
Cape-class Patrol Boats
- Number in service: 6 (e.g., ADV Cape Otway, ADV Cape Peron)
- Displacement: 1,000 tonnes
These vessels play a frontline role in border protection, fisheries enforcement, and maritime interdiction under Operation Sovereign Borders. They are crewed by Navy personnel and supported by the Australian Border Force.
Mine Countermeasures
Huon-class Minehunters
- Number in service: 2
- Displacement: 732 tonnes
- Role: Detection and neutralisation of naval mines
Equipped with sophisticated sonar and remotely operated mine disposal vehicles, these vessels ensure safe maritime passage in areas of potential threat.
Fleet Replenishment and Survey
Supply-class Replenishment Ships
- Number in service: 2 (HMAS Supply, HMAS Stalwart)
- Displacement: 23,500 tonnes
These auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ships sustain the RAN fleet by providing fuel, dry cargo, and ammunition at sea.
Hydrographic Vessels
- Leeuwin-class (e.g., HMAS Melville): Conduct essential hydrographic surveys for both civilian and military navigation, particularly in Australia’s vast northern and western waters.
Strategic Missions and Operational Scope
The RAN supports a diverse set of roles reflecting Australia’s security priorities:
- Maritime Border Protection: Through Operation Sovereign Borders, the RAN works closely with the Australian Border Force to deter and intercept illegal maritime arrivals.
- Freedom of Navigation: Deployed with allies like the US, Japan, and the UK, RAN ships uphold international law and ensure free access to global trade routes.
- Humanitarian Relief: Amphibious ships are deployed in response to natural disasters in the Indo-Pacific, delivering food, medical supplies, and infrastructure aid.
- Joint Military Exercises: The RAN frequently engages in multilateral operations such as RIMPAC, Talisman Sabre, and Indo-Pacific Endeavour.
- Deterrence and Surveillance: Submarines and patrol boats collect intelligence and monitor grey zone activities across the region.
Future Force: Expansion and Modernisation
The RAN is undergoing a historic expansion, guided by the 2024 Defence Strategic Review. Key elements include:
Surface Fleet Expansion
In 2024, the Australian government announced plans to grow the surface combatant fleet from 11 to 26 warships by 2040:
- 11 General-Purpose Frigates: Versatile ships for maritime strike, air defence, and escort roles.
- 6 Large Optionally Crewed Surface Vessels (LOSVs): Unmanned or minimally manned vessels for long-range surveillance and strike.
AUKUS SSNs: Nuclear Submarine Capability
Under the AUKUS security pact, Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines to replace the Collins-class. The transition will occur in two phases:
- Short-term (2030s): Acquisition of Virginia-class submarines from the United States.
- Long-term: Development of a trilateral SSN-AUKUS class, jointly built with the UK and US.
These submarines will dramatically improve Australia’s stealth, endurance, and strike capability, enabling true blue-water operations.
Comparative Vessel Summary (2025)
| Class | Type | Vessels | Displacement | Speed | Primary Role |
| Hobart-class | Destroyer | 3 | 7,000 t | 28+ kt | Air defence, C2, AAW |
| Anzac-class | Frigate | 7 | 3,600 t | 27 kt | Surface/ASW warfare |
| Collins-class | Submarine | 6 | 3,407 t | 20 kt | ISR, undersea strike |
| Canberra-class | LHD | 2 | 27,800 t | 20+ kt | Amphibious ops, HADR |
| Choules (Bay-class) | LSD | 1 | 16,190 t | 18 kt | Heavy amphibious lift |
| Cape-class | Patrol Boat | 6 | 1,000 t | ~25 kt | Maritime patrol |
| Huon-class | Minehunter | 2 | 732 t | 14 kt | Mine detection and clearance |
| Supply-class | AOR | 2 | 23,500 t | 20 kt | Fleet replenishment |
| Leeuwin-class | Survey Vessel | 1 | 3,200 t | ~15 kt | Hydrographic operations |
Conclusion: A Navy for a New Era
In an era of shifting power balances and rising grey-zone threats, the Royal Australian Navy is transforming into a more agile, capable, and strategically aligned maritime force. From the high-end capabilities of Hobart-class destroyers to the forthcoming AUKUS submarines, the RAN is positioning itself to defend Australia and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The investments being made today will shape the security of generations to come—ensuring that Australia remains not just a continental power, but a responsible maritime nation at the heart of the global commons.
