The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force. The RAN is commanded by the Chief of Navy (CN), who is subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) who commands the ADF. The CN is also directly responsible to the Minister of Defence, with the Department of Defence administering the ADF and the Navy.
Formed in 1901, as the Commonwealth Naval Forces, through the amalgamation of the Australian colonial navies following the Federation of Australia. Although it was originally intended for local defence, it became increasingly responsible for the defence of the region as the United Kingdom started to diminish its forces in the Pacific.
During its history, the Australian Navy has participated in a number of major wars, including the First and Second World Wars, Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation and the Vietnam War. The navy 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 in support of military campaigns and peacekeeping missions.
Command structure
The strategic command structure of the RAN was overhauled during the New Generation Navy changes. The RAN is commanded through Naval Headquarters (NHQ) in Canberra. The professional head is the Chief of Navy (CN), who holds the rank of Vice Admiral. NHQ is responsible for implementing policy decisions handed down from the Department of Defence and for overseeing tactical and operational issues that are the purview of the subordinate commands.
Beneath NHQ are two subordinate commands Fleet Command and Navy Headquarters,
Fleet Command
Fleet Command is responsible for the force generation of naval elements for subsequent employment on operations by the Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). This responsibility includes group training (ie. task group level) and the naval aspects of joint collective training (Defence elements from Services working as a Joint Task Group or force) together with the mounting process to provide assurance that the required level of capability has been met. Fleet Command is headquartered at HMAS Kuttabul, Sydney, Eastern Australia.
Commander Australian Fleet - The Fleet Commander is the primary operations advisor to the Chief of Navy. Additionally Chief of Navy has delegated full command of all of the RAN’s ships, submarines, aircraft squadrons, diving teams and shore establishments to the Fleet Commander, who is responsible for force generation. This includes the group and joint collective training of fleet units and overseeing the maintenance and support of ships, aircraft and other equipment, to enable the fleet to reach and maintain required levels of readiness.
The Fleet Commander exercises command of shore establishments through Commander Shore Force (COMSHORE) and delegates operational command of units to the various force commanders. Operational control of fleet units will usually be delegated to the Director General Maritime Operations (DGMAROPS), with tactical command either held by DGMAROPS or delegated to Commodore Flotillas (COMFLOT), a subordinate tactical warfare commander, a nominated Commander Task Group (CTG) or ship’s Commanding Officer, depending on circumstances. When naval forces are needed for joint, multinational or other specific operations Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) will direct the Chief of Navy to assign those forces to CJOPS. At all other times these forces will be available for training, and other activities, as directed by the Fleet Commander. Within Fleet Command, responsibilities are delegated to a number of senior officers.
These are:
1. Director General Maritime Operations (DGMAROPS) - This position is responsible to the Fleet Commander but located in Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC).
DGMAROPS is responsible primarily for:
• Providing advice on the raise, train and sustain functions to the Fleet Commander, especially as it relates to preparedness management within the fleet.
• Exercising operational control/tactical command of force elements once delegated by the force commanders.
DGMAROPS has oversight of the Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) located within HQJOC. The MOC coordinates the execution of all maritime activities and operations conducted by fleet units that are not assigned to a designated Joint Task Force (JTF) commander. DGMAROPS exercises operational control of all ADF(N) units at sea and tactical command of ‘routine activities’ that are below the threshold where a JTF is required. DGMAROPS also has responsibility as the Navy Submarine Operating Authority (SUBOPAUTH) and development of the Navy Activity Schedule (NAS) – the executive document that articulates the Navy’s priorities.
2. Commodore Flotillas (COMFLOT) - This position comprises three discrete functions: the fleet battle staff, the Force Generation Division and the Australian Maritime Warfare Centre.
COMFLOT is also:
• the Navy lead for core maritime warfare skills regeneration,
• the Navy fighter controller capability manager,
• responsible to CJOPS for maritime joint force headquarters tasks.
3. The Australian Fleet Battle Staff - The fleet battle staff command large multinational naval and amphibious task groups and provide the ADF with this core tactical maritime expertise, which can be adapted to a wide variety of situations. They also provide an overall planning capability for sea control operations with input from amphibious or mine warfare and clearance diving tactical warfare commanders’ staffs. Elements of these staffs will operate afloat or ashore as necessary throughout an operation.
4. The Australian Maritime Warfare Centre - This centre is responsible for maritime warfare policy, joint doctrine and tactics.
Further responsibilities include:
• The Maritime Warfare Program (war-fighting improvement program)
• Fleet Cross Force Capability Division
• Signature Analysis and Ranging
• Weapon System Performance
• Operational Analysis (Defence Science and Technology Group)
• Fleet Operational Knowledge Exploitation Cell
5. Force Commanders - The Fleet Commander has delegated operational command to the respective force commanders. They are thus responsible for force generation and preparation of all units and personnel under their command. These responsibilities include coordination and management of all aspects of capability management, including the fundamental inputs to capability. They also include the development and implementation of policy related to their individual forces. The force commanders will delegate operational control of units to DGMAROPS as required.
The five force commanders are:
• Commander Surface Force - This position is responsible for the capability management of the RAN’s destroyers, frigates, amphibious and afloat support vessels. Additionally they are responsible for surface force input to the development of future capabilities.
• Commander Submarine Force - This position is responsible for the capability management of the RAN’s submarine force. Additionally they are responsible for submarine input to the development of future capabilities.
• Commander Fleet Air Arm - This position is responsible for the capability management of naval aviation and the development, oversight and regulation of operational airworthiness standards for RAN aircraft. Additionally they are responsible for naval aviation input to the development of future capabilities.
• Commander Mine Warfare, Clearance Diving, Hydrographic, Meteorological and Patrol Forces - This position is responsible for the capability management of the RAN's mine warfare, hydrographic and patrol forces. They have responsibility for mine warfare, hydrographic and patrol force input to the development of future capabilities. Additionally the Australian Hydrographic Service (AHS) supports the national charting responsibilities and publishes Australia’s nautical charts and associated publications.
• Commander Shore Force - This position delivers shore force capability including naval facilities, infrastructure and port services in compliance with seaworthiness requirements. Additionally they provide Navy policy to meet Defence preparedness requirements and management of the relationship with the Defence Estate and Infrastructure Group (DEIG) for matters such as garrison support.
Navy Headquarters
Navy Headquarters exists to provide the Navy’s strategic direction. Navy Headquarters is headquartered in Russell Offices, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
1. Deputy Chief of Navy and Head Navy People Training and Resources (DCN/HNPTAR) - DCN/HNPTAR has two parallel sets of responsibilities. First, as the manager of Navy Headquarters they are responsible for the alignment of accountability, responsibility, performance and resource management within the Royal Australian Navy. Second they are responsible for managing the Navy’s uniformed integrated workforce (both permanent and reserve personnel) and members of the Australian Public Service. Commodore Training (COMTRAIN) reports to DCN/HNPTAR and is responsible for individual and ship level training.
2. Head Navy Capability (HNC) - HNC is responsible for implementation of both current and future Navy capability, including all Navy programs/projects (both major and minor) from concept through to acquisition, in service use and ultimately disposal of the system.
3. Head Navy Engineering Regulation, Certification and Safety (HNE) - HNE is responsible to Chief of Navy Australia for Naval engineering and maintenance discipline upkeep, Navy safety management governance, Fleet Support Unit strategic management; and the design, implementation and upkeep of the Defence Seaworthiness Management System.
4. Warrant Officer of the Navy (WO-N) - WO-N is the most senior ranking sailor in the Navy and may exercise command over all RAN sailors. WO-N is responsible directly to Chief of Navy Australia for representing the views, concerns and opinions of the Navy’s sailors.
Personnel
As of April 2022, the RAN has 15,285 permanent full-time personnel, 161 gap year personnel, and 3,932 reserve personnel. The permanent full-time trained force consisted of 2,914 commissioned officers, and 10,056 enlisted personnel. In June 2021, male personnel made up 73% of the permanent full-time force, while female personnel made up 23%. The RAN has the second-highest percentage of women in the permanent forces, compared to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)'s 25.5% and the Royal Australian Army (RAA) 15.1%.
Ranks
Comissioned Officers
Non-Commissioned Officers
Fleet
The Royal Australian Navy consists of nearly 67 commissioned vessels. Ships commissioned into the RAN are given the prefix HMAS (His Majestys Australian Ship). The RAN has two primary bases for its fleet: the first, Fleet Base East, is located at HMAS Kuttabul, Sydney and the second, Fleet Base West, is located at HMAS Stirling, near Perth. In addition, three other bases are home to the majority of the RAN's minor war vessels: HMAS Cairns, in Cairns, HMAS Coonawarra, in Darwin, and HMAS Waterhen, in Sydney.
1st Destroyer Squadron
DDG38 - HMAS Castlemaine (Castlemaine Class Destroyer)
DDG39 - HMAS Toowoomba (Castlemaine Class Destroyer)
DDG41 - HMAS Brisbane (Castlemaine Class Destroyer)
DDG42 - HMAS Sydney (Castlemaine Class Destroyer)
2nd Destroyer Squadron
DDG43 - HMAS Southern Cross (Castlemaine Class Destroyer)
DDG44 - HMAS Ipswich (Castlemaine Class Destroyer)
DDG45 - HMAS Alice Springs (Castlemaine Class Destroyer)
DDG46 - HMAS Fremantle (Castlemaine Class Destroyer)
3rd Littoral Squadron
LCS1130 - HMAS Moreton Bay (Moreton Bay Class Littoral Control Ship)
LCS1131 - HMAS Hervey Bay (Moreton Bay Class Littoral Control Ship)
LCS1132 - HMAS Twofold Bay (Moreton Bay Class Littoral Control Ship)
LCS1133 - HMAS Emu Bay (Moreton Bay Class Littoral Control Ship)
4th Reserve Squadron
Intenionally blank for future use
5th Expeditionary Force
EM580 - HMAS Gallipoli (Gallipoli Class Expeditionary Mothership)
6th Frigate Squadron
FFM280 - HMAS Rockhampton (Rockhampton Class Frigate)
FFM281 - HMAS Newcastle (Rockhampton Class Frigate)
FFM282 - HMAS Illawarra (Rockhampton Class Frigate)
FFM283 - HMAS Shoalhaven (Rockhampton Class Frigate)
FFM284 - HMAS Parkes (Rockhampton Class Frigate)
FFM285 - HMAS Maroochy (Rockhampton Class Frigate)
7th Frigate Squadron
PF250 - HMAS Murrumbidgee (Murrumbidgee Class Frigate)
PF251 - HMAS Tamar (Murrumbidgee Class Frigate)
PF252 - HMAS Hawkesbury (Murrumbidgee Class Frigate)
PF253 - HMAS Condamine (Murrumbidgee Class Frigate)
PF254 - HMAS Onkaparinga (Murrumbidgee Class Frigate)
PF255 - HMAS Murchison (Evolved Murrumbidgee Class Frigate)
PF256 - HMAS Diamantina (Evolved Murrumbidgee Class Frigate)
PF257 - HMAS Torrens (Evolved Murrumbidgee Class Frigate)
8th Amphibious Squadron
L02 - HMAS Australia (Australia Class Landing Dock Aviation)
L03 - HMAS Coral Sea (Australia Class Landing Dock Aviation)
9th Hydrography Squadron
A550 - HMAS Banks (Banks Class Survey Catamaran)
A551 - HMAS Flinders (Banks Class Survey Catamaran)
A552 - HMAS Cook (Cook Class Deepwater Survey Vessel)
A553 - HMAS Ibis (Ibis Class Survey Motor Vessel)
A554 - HMAS Spoonbill (Ibis Class Survey Motor Vessel)
A555 - HMAS Heron (Ibis Class Survey Motor Vessel)
A556 - HMAS Bittern (Ibis Class Survey Motor Vessel)
10th Submarine Squadron
SSK600 - HMAS Orion (Orion Class Diesel Hunter Killer Submarine)
SSK601 - HMAS Osborne (Orion Class Diesel Hunter Killer Submarine)
SSK602 - HMAS Otama (Orion Class Diesel Hunter Killer Submarine)
SSK603 - HMAS Olinda (Orion Class Diesel Hunter Killer Submarine)
11th Submarine Squadron
SSN750 - HMAS Queensland (Los Angeles Class Nuclear Submarine)
SSN751 - HMAS Tasmania (Los Angeles Class Nuclear Submarine)
SSN800 - HMAS Victoria (Victoria Class Nuclear Submarine)
SSN801 - HMAS Vincentia (Victoria Class Nuclear Submarine)
SSN802 - HMAS Victor Harbor (Victoria Class Nuclear Submarine)
SSN803 - HMAS Villeneuve (Victoria Class Nuclear Submarine)
12th Patrol Squadron
P560 - ADV Portsea (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
P561 - ADV Corio (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
P562 - ADV Redcliffe (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
P563 - ADV Taree (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
P564 - ADV Parsillah Bay (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
P565 - ADV Gympie (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
P566 - ADV Burnie (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
P567 - ADV Tumbleton (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
P568 - ADV Hexham (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
SAR01 - ADV Fairlight (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
SAR02 - ADV Catalina (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
SAR03 - ADV Fauro Chief (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
SAR04 - ADV Wanaka (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
SAR05 - ADV Spitfire (Portsea Class Inshore Patrol Boat)
P380 - HMAS Jindivick (Jindivick Class Fast Patrol Boat)
P381 - HMAS Brumby (Jindivick Class Fast Patrol Boat)
P382 - HMAS Mulloka (Jindivick Class Fast Patrol Boat)
P383 - HMAS Atherton (Jindivick Class Fast Patrol Boat)
P384 - HMAS Krait (Jindivick Class Fast Patrol Boat)
P385 - HMAS Ikara (Jindivick Class Fast Patrol Boat)
P386 - HMAS Woomera (Jindivick Class Fast Patrol Boat)
P387 - HMAS Ballina (Jindivick Class Fast Patrol Boat)
14th Corvette Squadron
K320 - HMAS Balmain (Balmain Class Corvette)
K321 - HMAS Merimbula (Balmain Class Corvette)
K322 - HMAS Noosa (Balmain Class Corvette)
K323 - HMAS Geelong (Balmain Class Corvette)
K324 - HMAS Sorrento (Balmain Class Corvette)
K325 - HMAS Cooktown (Balmain Class Corvette)
15th Auxillary Squadron
A1183 - HMAS Platypus (Platypus Class Submarine Tender)
AH350 - HMAS Mary Foley (Foley Class Hospital/Disaster Response Ship)
AOR320 - HMAS Steadfast (Steadfast Class Combat Replenishment Ship)
AOR385 - HMAS Diligent (Steadfast Class Combat Replenishment Ship)
Training Command
Intenionally blank for future use
