The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. The Fleet Air Arm (more formally known as the Australian Navy Aviation Group) is the operational part of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of The Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service is the collective name of the Submarine element of the Royal Australian Navy. The Australian Patrol Boat Group is a force element group of the Royal Australian Navy. For other nations' Commando frogmen and information about frogmen in general see Frogman. The Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Australian Navy in Australia. The History of the Royal Australian Navy can be traced back to 1788 and the colonisation of Australia by the British. The Royal Australian Navy, although a significant one in the Asia-Pacific region is nonetheless classed as a medium sized navy This is a list of the current Royal Australian Navy ships: Major surface combatants ''ANZAC'' class Frigate (8 HMAS ''Anzac'' (FFH Ships of the Royal Australian Navy, past and present A B C D E F G The following is a list of current and former commissioned bases used by the Royal Australian Navy. HMAS Creswell is a Shore establishment of the Royal Australian Navy, a part of the Australian Defence Force, and consists of the Royal Australian The Royal Australian Navy Memorial on ANZAC Parade in Canberra, the national capital of Australia, honours the sailors who have served to protect the nation The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre is the Maritime museum of the Royal Australian Navy. The Royal Australian Navy Ensign is the Ensign flown by ships of the Royal Australian Navy, correctly known as the Australian White Ensign or The Royal Australian Navy Bridging Train was an Australian military unit of World War One, composed of Royal Australian Naval Reservists who served in the Gallipoli The Australian Defence Force (ADF is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia Established in 1901, the RAN was formed out of the Commonwealth Naval Forces to become the small navy of Australia after federation, consisting of the former colonial navies of the new Australian states. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom continued to provide blue-water defence in the Pacific until World War II, when expansion of the RAN saw the acquisition of aircraft carriers, and other large surface vessels. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Maritime geography is often discussed in terms of four loosely-defined regions Riverine, brown water, green water, and blue water. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including
Today the RAN is one of the largest and most sophisticated naval forces in the Pacific region and has a significant presence in the Indian Ocean, and has undertaken operations in support of military campaigns and peacekeeping missions worldwide. The Pacific Rim refers to the countries and cities located around the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's Oceanic divisions covering about 20% of the water on the Earth 's surface
Vice Admiral Russ Shalders is the current Chief of Navy and was appointed to this position in 2005. Vice Admiral is a naval rank equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority Vice Admiral Russell Edward Shalders AO CSC, RAN (b 8 September 1951 is a retired admiral of the Royal Australian Navy. The Chief of Navy is the most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy, responsible to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF and the Secretary of Defence
Contents |
History
The Commonwealth Naval Forces were established on 1 March 1901, two months after the Federation of Australia. The History of the Royal Australian Navy can be traced back to 1788 and the colonisation of Australia by the British. Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South On 10 July 1911, King George V granted the title of 'Royal Australian Navy'. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. Year 1911 ( MCMXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year [1]
During World War I the RAN was initially responsible for capturing many of Germany's colonies in the South Pacific and protecting Australian shipping from the German East Asia Squadron. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The German East Asia Squadron was a German Kaiserliche Marine (naval Cruiser Squadron which operated mainly in the Pacific Ocean For the remainder of the war most of the RAN's major ships operated as part of Royal Navy forces in the Mediterranean and North Seas. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service)
During the 1920s and early 1930s the Royal Australian Navy was greatly reduced in size. As international tensions increased, however, the RAN was modernised and expanded. During the early years of World War II ships from the RAN again operated as part of the Royal Navy, with RAN ships serving with distinction in the Mediterranean. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Following the outbreak of the Pacific War and the virtual destruction of the Royal Navy force in Asia the RAN increasingly operated independently or as part of United States Navy forces. The Pacific War was the part of World War II —and preceding conflicts—that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands and in East Asia, between By the end of the war, the RAN was the fifth largest navy in the world.
While the size of the RAN was greatly reduced after World War II, the Navy gained new capabilities with the delivery of two aircraft carriers. The RAN saw action in many Cold War era conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region and operated alongside the Royal Navy and United States Navy off Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the Following the end of the Cold War the RAN has participated in Coalition forces in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean and has formed a critical element in Australian-led operations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands.
RAN today
Command structure
The RAN is commanded through Naval Headquarters (NHQ) in Canberra. Canberra ( is the capital city of Australia With a population of over 340000 it is Australia's largest inland City. The professional head is the Chief of Navy (CN), ranked as a Vice-Admiral. The Chief of Navy is the most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy, responsible to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF and the Secretary of Defence Vice Admiral is a naval rank equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority NHQ is responsible for implementing the policy decisions handed down from the Department of Defence, and for overseeing the tactical and operational issues that are the purview of the subordinate commands. The Australian Department of Defence is an Federal Government Department
Beneath NHQ are two subordinate commands:
- Fleet Command - this is the administrative element responsible for the RAN's operational seagoing forces, and has responsibility for the planning and implementation of all of Australia's maritime operations. Its commander holds the rank of Rear Admiral. Rear admiral is a Naval Commissioned officer rank above that of a Commodore and Captain, and below that of a Vice Admiral. Previously this position was Flag Officer Commanding HM's Australian Fleet (FOCAF), a position created in 1911,[2] but the title was changed in 1988 to the Maritime Commander Australia. On 1 February 2007 the title changed again, and became Commander Australian Fleet. [3] The nominated at-sea commander is Commodore Flotillas (COMFLOT), a one-star deployable task group commander.
- Systems Command - this is the administrative element responsible for the RAN's training, engineering and logisitcal support needs. Its commander holds the rank of Commodore.
Beaneath the subordinate commands are seven Force Element Groups (FEGs) that form the bulk of the RAN's operational capability, and their respective commanders (who hold the rank of Captain):
- Surface Combatants FEG (COMAUSNAVSURFGRP)
- Amphibious and Afloat Support FEG (COMAUSNAVAASGRP)
- Aviation FEG (COMAUSNAVAVNGRP)
- Submarine FEG (COMAUSNAVSUBGRP)
- Mine Clearance Diving FEG (COMAUSNAVMCDGRP)
- Patrol Boat FEG (COMAUSNAVPBGRP)
- Hydrographic, Meteorological and Oceangraphic FEG (COMAUSNAVHYDROGRP)
The fleet
Today's fleet consists of around 60 vessels including frigates, submarines, patrol boats and auxiliary ships. For information specifically on the Royal Navy rank of captain see Captain (Royal Navy. The RAN today is one of the most modern in the Pacific and is tasked with the ability to defend Australian waters and undertake wider deployments. Current deployments of the navy include: contributions to the multinational force in Iraq; support for the United Nations mission in East Timor; and a "regional assistance mission" with New Zealand in the Solomon Islands. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste (officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste) is a country in Southeast Asia. The Solomon Islands is a country in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands
The RAN has two primary bases for its fleet;
- Fleet Base East, which is located at HMAS Kuttabul near Sydney. HMAS Kuttabul is the name given to the administrative training and logistics support centre of the Royal Australian Navy 's Fleet Base East, the main naval Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4
- Fleet Base West, located at HMAS Stirling near Perth. HMAS Stirling ( is the name given to the administrative centre of the Royal Australian Navy 's main naval base on the west coast ( Fleet Base West) located Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia.
In addition, there are three other ports which are home to the majority of the RAN's minor war vessels;
- HMAS Coonawarra, at Darwin. HMAS Coonawarra is a Royal Australian Navy base located in the city of Darwin and is home to twelve fleet units of the Royal Australian Navy
- HMAS Cairns, at Cairns. HMAS Cairns is a naval base of the Royal Australian Navy located in Cairns Queensland.
- HMAS Waterhen, at Sydney. HMAS Waterhen is a shore establishment of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN located in Waverton, Sydney Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4
Current ships
- See also: Current Royal Australian Navy ships
The RAN currently operates 7 main classes of vessels:
| Class | Type | Number | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anzac class | Frigate | 8 | 1996 | Anti-submarine and anti-aircraft with 1 SH-60 Seahawk |
| Adelaide class | Frigate | 4 | 1985 | Anti-submarine and anti-aircraft frigate with 2 S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters |
| Armidale class | Patrol boat | 14 | 2005 | Coastal defence and fishery protection |
| Huon class | Minehunter | 6 | 1997 | Minehunting |
| Collins class | Submarine | 6 | 2000 | Diesel-electric powered patrol submarines for deep ocean patrols |
| Kanimbla class LPA | amphibious transport | 2 | 1994 | troop & helicoper transport (Westland Sea King and UH-60 Black Hawk) |
 HMAS Anzac - First ship of the Anzac class |  HMAS Darwin - Fourth ship of the Adelaide class |  HMAS Sheean - Fifth submarine of the Collins class |  HMAS Manoora - Second ship of the Kanimbla class |
 HMAS Diamantina - Fifth ship of the Huon class |  HMAS Armidale - Lead ship of the Armidale class |
- ^ The R. This is a list of the current Royal Australian Navy ships: Major surface combatants ''ANZAC'' class Frigate (8 HMAS ''Anzac'' (FFH Design and construction Built by Tenix Defence Systems using modular construction techniques hull and superstructure modules were built in both Australia and For the bird see Frigatebird. A frigate /ˈfrɪgɪt/ is a warship WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Construction and acquisition Three units of the ''Oliver Hazard Perry'' class were ordered by the Australian government under Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. For the bird see Frigatebird. A frigate /ˈfrɪgɪt/ is a warship Design and construction Planning for the Armidale class began in 1993 as a plan to replace the Fremantle class which was due for retirement in 1998 Mine Countermeasures Clearance Diving equipment & Cowan 2-man dual compartment recompression chamber Oropesa mechanical sweep Capable of towing Design and construction Much of the technology and computer design expertise came from Kockums of Sweden. A submarine is a Watercraft that can operate independently below water as distinct from a Submersible that has only limited underwater capability A number of vehicles use a diesel-electric Powertrain for providing locomotion. Acquisition In the early 1990s the RAN initiated a procurement project to replace HMAS ''Jervis Bay'' with a dedicated training and helicopter support ship WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Construction Anzac was laid down by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown Victoria on 5 November 1993 launched on 16 September 1994 and commissioned Construction Darwin was laid down by Todd Pacific Shipyards at Seattle in Washington on 2 July 1981 launched on 26 March 1982 and commissioned Construction Sheean was laid down by the Australian Submarine Corporation at Osborne South Australia on 17 February 1994 Operational History Manoora has seen active service in the Persian Gulf (2002 2003 and non-combat service in The Solomon Islands (2000 2001 2003 A. N. - A Brief History [1] accessed 1 March 2007
- ^ C L Cumberlege
- ^ Top Stories
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm provides the RAN's naval aviation capability. The Fleet Air Arm (more formally known as the Australian Navy Aviation Group) is the operational part of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of At present, it is an entirely helicopter based force, with a total of four squadrons. History Since 400 AD Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys. Most of the Navy's large ships are capable of operating helicopters, and frigates typically carry Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk and support ships carry Westland Sea King Mk 50 aircraft during operational deployments. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Fleet Air Arm and its associated support are under the direction of the Navy Aviation Force. Both the NAF and Fleet Air Arm are located at HMAS Albatross in New South Wales. The second HMAS ''Albatross'' is the Fleet Air Arm's base near Nowra in New South Wales, about 2 hours drive south of Sydney
Clearance Diving Teams
The RAN has two Clearance Diving Teams which serve as parent units for the navy's clearance divers, Clearance Diving Team One (AUSCDT ONE), based at HMAS Waterhen in New South Wales and Clearance Diving Team Four (AUSCDT FOUR) based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. For other nations' Commando frogmen and information about frogmen in general see Frogman. HMAS Waterhen is a shore establishment of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN located in Waverton, Sydney HMAS Stirling ( is the name given to the administrative centre of the Royal Australian Navy 's main naval base on the west coast ( Fleet Base West) located Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. When personnel are sent into combat, Clearance Diving Team Three (AUSCDT THREE) is formed. The CDTs have two primary roles:
1. Mine Counter Measures (MCM) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
2. Maritime Tactical Operations
Future
There are several major projects in process that will see upgrades to the capabilities of the RAN:
- The Sea 1390 Project will see the upgrading of four Adelaide class guided missile frigates with enhanced weapons and electronics. The Australian Air Warfare Destroyer program The 2000 Defence White Paper stated that the navy would replace the ''Adelaide'' class frigates with three air warfare The Royal Australian Navy, although a significant one in the Asia-Pacific region is nonetheless classed as a medium sized navy
- The Sea 1654 Project has been initiated to upgrade the RAN's replenishment and support vessels.
- The RAN has initiated the Sea 4000 Project, under which it has agreed to acquire three vessels based upon the U.S. Navy Aegis air and surface combat management system. The Australian Air Warfare Destroyer program The 2000 Defence White Paper stated that the navy would replace the ''Adelaide'' class frigates with three air warfare The Aegis combat system is an integrated weapons system used by the United States Navy. It was announced in June 2007 that these vessels will be based on the Spanish Álvaro de Bazán class frigate, an Aegis-equipped class. Units ''Álvaro de Bazán'' (F101 (2002 ''Almirante Juan de Borbón'' (F102 (2003 ''Blas de Lezo'' (F103
- The RAN also has a project to build two (27000+ tonne displacement) Canberra class Landing Helicopter Docks. Program overview The Australian government's requirements include the capacity to transport up to 1000 troops and 150 vehicles including the new M1A1 Abrams tank in service These will be the largest warships it has ever operated.
- There is also currently a project being undertaken within the RAN to equip the Collins Class submarines with a new tactical combat system, and upgraded state of the art heavyweight torpedoes.
- The navy needs 2,000 recruits, including 700 apprentices, to crew the next generation of warships such as air warfare destroyers which enter service next decade.
Current Operations
The RAN currently has forces deployed on two major operations:
- Operation Anode - Australia's contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands. As of September 2008 around 3500 Australian Defence Force (ADF personnel are deployed on overseas operations The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI also known as Operation Helpem Fren, was created in 2003 in response to a request for international aid by the
- Operation Catalyst - Australia's commitment to the Coalition forces in Iraq. The Australian Government under John Howard supported the disarmament of Iraq during the Iraq disarmament crisis. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The RAN's contribution is normally one ship in the Persian Gulf. The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the
- Operation Resolute - the ADF's contribution to patrolling Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone
Full details of current Australian Navy operations can be found at http://www.navy.gov.au/operations/
Ranks
Officer ranks
| CODE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flag Officers | ||||
| O-11 | Admiral of the Fleet | |||
| O-10 | Admiral | |||
| O-9 | Vice Admiral | |||
| O-8 | Rear Admiral | |||
| Senior Officers | ||||
| O-7 | Commodore | |||
| O-6 | Captain | |||
| O-5 | Commander and Navy Chaplain | |||
| Junior Officers | ||||
| O-4 | Lieutenant Commander | |||
| O-3 | Lieutenant | |||
| O-2 | Sub Lieutenant | |||
| O-1 | Acting Sub Lieutenant | |||
| S-1 | Midshipman (An Officer, but not part of Graded Officers Pay Scale) | |||
Non-commissioned ranks
| CODE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warrant Officers | ||||
| E-9 | Warrant Officer of the Navy | |||
| E-9 | Warrant Officer | |||
| E-8 | - | |||
| Senior Non-commissioned Officers | ||||
| E-8 | Chief Petty Officer | |||
| E-7 | No equivalent | |||
| E-6 | Petty Officer | |||
| Junior Non-commissioned Officers | ||||
| E-5 | Leading Seaman | |||
| E-4 | No equivalent | |||
| Enlisted | ||||
| E-3 | Able Seaman | |||
| E-2 | Seaman | |||
Chaplains
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) chaplains are commissioned officers and wear the uniform of a RAN officer. Operation Resolute is the Australian Defence Force's contribution to patrolling Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone. Under the law of the sea, an Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ) is a seazone over which a State has special rights over the exploration and use of marine The following image shows the badges of rank and special insignia for officers and enlisted personnel in the Australian Defence Force Ranks and insignia of NATO are combined military insignia used by the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. For use of this rank in other countries see Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Fleet is the highest rank in the Royal Australian RAN-Admiral-shoulder-pre1995gif|thumb|right|Pre-1995]] See Admiral for other countries which use this rank Admiral is the highest active rank of See Vice Admiral for other countries that use this rank Vice Admiral is the second highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and Rear admiral is a Naval Commissioned officer rank above that of a Commodore and Captain, and below that of a Vice Admiral. For information specifically on the Royal Navy rank of captain see Captain (Royal Navy. Lieutenant Commander ( Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy) is a Commissioned officer rank in many navies Superior Lieutenant (abbreviated Lt or Lieut) is a Military, Naval, Paramilitary, Fire service, Emergency medical services Sub-Lieutenant is a military rank It is normally a junior officer rank For the fish called midshipman see Midshipman fish. The rank of midshipman is one of the oldest ranks still in existence Ranks and insignia of NATO are combined military insignia used by the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A chaplain is typically a Priest, Pastor, ordained Deacon, Rabbi, Imam or other member of the Clergy serving a group of An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority Like chaplains in the British Royal Navy (RN) they do not wear a rank. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Rather they wear the same cross and anchor emblem worn by RN chaplains on their shoulder rank slides and do not have gold braided rings or executive loops on their winter coat sleeve or summer shoulder boards. Like other chaplains in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Navy chaplains have five divisions of seniority. The Australian Defence Force (ADF is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia Australian Navy chaplains are accorded a certain rank for protocol and ceremonial occasions and for saluting purposes. Division 1, 2 and 3 Australian Navy chaplains are accorded the rank and status as Commander (or Lieutenant Colonel equivalent in the Australian Army). Commander is a Military rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service Division 4 Australian Navy chaplains are accorded the rank and status of Captain (equiv. For information specifically on the Royal Navy rank of captain see Captain (Royal Navy. of Colonel). Division 5 Australian Navy chaplains are "Principal Chaplains," and these three chaplains, representing the three major Christian denominations: Catholic, Anglican and Protestant, are accorded the rank and status of Commodore. Catholic is an Adjective derived from the Greek adjective '' / 'katholikos' meaning "whole" or "complete". Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Commodore is a Military rank used in many navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a navy captain, but is less than Principal Chaplains' uniforms do not differ from other Navy chaplains however they do wear gold braide or "scambled eggs" on the peak of their caps. The title "Padre" for Navy chaplains is less common in the Royal Australian Navy, than in the Australian Army, although it is known to be used by many sailors and some Navy chaplains in preference to the more formal title of "Chaplain," or other formal forms of address towards an officer such as "Sir. The Australian Army is Australia's military land force It is part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF along with the Royal Australian Navy and the A chaplain is typically a Priest, Pastor, ordained Deacon, Rabbi, Imam or other member of the Clergy serving a group of "
References
- ^ The R. A. N. - A Brief History [1] accessed 1 March 2007
- ^ C L Cumberlege
- ^ Top Stories
External links
- Royal Australian Navy home page
- 'Virtual Fleet' - on-line computer based 'tour' of ships and aircraft
- Maritimequest Royal Australian Navy photo gallery
- Official Biographies:
- Royal and Dominion Navies in World War II, Campaigns, Battles, Warship losses
- Royal and Dominion Navies, Victoria Cross at Sea, 1940-45
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