The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is a balanced fighting force made up of capable underwater assets and surface combatants. The bulk of strength comes from its Offshore Patrol Vehicle (OPV) force which makes up more than a quarter of all available strength. Beyond this is a commitment to a frigate force followed by six attack-minded submarines of conventional design. Unlike Britain, the RAN lacks a true aircraft carrier fleet, relying instead on three vessels from two different classes to operate helicopters from, primarily in support of amphibious/offshore operations. The country's recent commitment to an alliance with Britain and the United States have opened the service to receiving future nuclear-powered submarines. With the rise of China's navy, and its growing presence throughout the Asia-Pacific region, it behooves the RAN to increase its capabilities through modernization and procurement programs.
The following represents an overview of the modern naval fighting capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy (2023). The service currently counts 36 total units in its active naval inventory. This total includes frontline commissioned vessels but excludes smaller patrol vessels, auxiliary / survey ships, replenishment, and historical ceremonial types. The WDMMW review takes into account specific categories of warships covering attack, defense, and general support designs. Inventory numbers and related unit types are provided as-is and derived from publically-available information / sources. "On Order" totals found at the bottom of this article are related to any future hulls currently under procurement/construction though said hulls may not be delivered for service in the current year for various reasons.
Submarines (6)
Hulls developed for undersea/submersible operation; nuclear-powered or conventionally-powered.
Destroyers (3)
Multi-mission hulls developed for Blue Water environment; operating independently or as part of the main surface fleet.
Frigates (8)
Hulls defined as dimensionally smaller than Destroyers, though larger than corvettes, having Blue Water capabilities.
Mine Warfare (4)
Hulls outfitted for the purpose of mine countermeasures/countermine warfare.
Offshore Patrol Vessels (12)
Hulls defined as OPVs and outfitted for the purpose of close-to-shore defense / deterrence.
Amphibious Assault (3)
Hulls designed specifically for the support of amphibious-minded, offshore / close-to-shore operations.
On Order (6)
Hulls set to be delivered in the current procurement year or in subsequent year(s).
On Order Commitment: 6 Units
