Royal Australian Navy
- "RAN" redirects here. For other uses, see RAN (disambiguation).
- This article is about the Royal Navy of Australia. For other Royal Navies, see Royal Navy (disambiguation).
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The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Established in 1909, the RAN was formed out of the Commonwealth Naval Forces, the small navy of Australia after federation, which consisted of the colonial navies of the new Australian states. The Royal Navy continued to provide blue water defence in the Pacific until World War Two, when expansion of the RAN saw the acquisition of aircraft carriers, and other large surface vessels.
Today the RAN is one of the largest naval forces in the Pacific region, and has undertaken operations in support of military campaigns and peacekeeping missions worldwide.
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History
The Royal Australian Navy was established in 1909. 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. 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.
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. 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. By the end of the War the RAN was the fourth 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. 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
The Fleet
Today's fleet consists of around 60 vessels including frigates, submarines, patrol boats and auxiliary ships. The RAN today is one of the most modern in the Pacific and is tasked with the ability to defend Australian waters and undertake operations in distant locations. 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.
The RAN has two primary bases for its fleet;
- Fleet Base East, which is located at HMAS Kuttabul near Sydney.
- Fleet Base West, located at HMAS Stirling near Perth.
In addition, there are two other ports which are home to the majority of the RAN's minor war vessels;
- HMAS Coonawarra, at Darwin.
- HMAS Cairns, at Cairns.
Ships of the Royal Australian Navy
- See also: Current Royal Australian Navy ships
The RAN currently operates 6 main classes of vessels:
| Class | Type | Number | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anzac class | Frigate | 8 | 1996 | Anti-submarine and anti-aircraft, with SH-2 Seasprite helicopters. |
| Adelaide class[1] | Frigate | 5 | 1985 | Anti-submarine and anti-aircraft frigate with 2 S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters |
| Fremantle class | Patrol boat | 4 | 1980s | Coastal and harbour defence; being retired |
| Armidale class[2] | Patrol boat | 7 | 2005 | Coastal defence and fishery protection; 14 to be built in total (replacing Fremantle class) |
| Huon class | Minehunter | 6 | 1997 | Minehunting |
| Collins class | Submarine | 6 | 2000 | Diesel-electric powered patrol submarines for deep ocean patrols |
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm provides the naval aviation capability for the RAN. At present, it is an entirely helicopter based force, with a total of four squadrons. 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.
Clearance Diving Teams
The RAN has two Clearance Diving Teams which serve as parent units for the navy's élite 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. 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 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 RAN also has a project to build two (25000+ tonne Displacement) Canberra class large amphibious ship that would have amphibious assault, transport, command centre, and possibly naval fixed-wing aviation roles.
- 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 several major operations:
- Operation Relex - Australia's response to people smuggling to the Australian mainland.
- Operation Catalyst - Australia's commitment to the Coalition forces in Iraq. The RAN's contribution is normally one ship in the Persian Gulf.
- Operation Astute - Australia's commitment to Timor-Leste. Various ships deploy on rotation to support the Army.
- Operation Anode - Australia's commitment to the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands. Various ships deploy on rotation to support the Army.
- Operation Quickstep - Australia's response to the possible coup in Fiji; late 2006; includes HMAS Kanimbla (L-51) (lost an Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter while landing, on 29 November 2006, and elements of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment), HMAS Newcastle (FFG 06) and HMAS Success (AOR-304).
See also
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:
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 Australian Army |  Royal Australian Navy |  Royal Australian Air Force | |
Categories
Royal Australian Navy | 1909 establishments | British Commonwealth Forces | Organisations with royal patronage