Future of the Royal Australian Navy

The following is a list of vessels currently ordered or under construction for the Royal Australian Navy:

The following is a list of vessels currently planned for the Royal Australian Navy:

HMAS Canberra in 2016

The RAN's amphibious capabilities was greatly increased by a new class of two Canberra-class amphibious vessels. These ships, based on Navantia's Strategic Projection Ship (later commissioned into the Spanish Navy as Spanish ship Juan Carlos I), displace approximately 27,000 tonnes, can transport 1,000 personnel and 150 vehicles, and can transport these ashore through landing craft carried in a well deck, or helicopters, with up to six operating simultaneously from each ship's flight deck. The new ships, named HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide, their hulls were built at Navantia's shipyard in Spain, then transported to BAE Systems Australia (BAE acquired Tenix Defence after contract awarded) facilities at Williamstown, Victoria for finishing. The two ships replaced the Kanimbla-class amphibious vessels. HMAS Tobruk was to be replaced by a strategic sealift vessel of 10,000 to 15,000 tons displacement, which will provides the capacity to transport equipment, supplies, helicopters, and soldiers into zones of operation, and embark or disembark these without port facilities. .In the 2016 defence white paper it revealed that HMAS Choules would fulfill this role. Following the early decommissioning of both Kanimblas and Tobruk being out of action, multiple ships were purchased and or leased to cover the lack of amphibious capability. The RAN planned also replace the six Balikpapan-class heavy landing craft with six larger vessels. In mid-2011, the RAN acquired the former British Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship RFA Largs Bay, which entered service in December 2011 as HMAS Choules.

The Armidale-class patrol boat HMAS Armidale

Between 1999 and 2003, the RAN acquired six Huon-class minehunters.[18] Based on Intermarine's Gaeta-class minehunters, each ship is equipped with a variable depth sonar, and a pair of Bofors Double Eagle underwater clearance vehicles.[18]

The RAN's main patrol force is the Armidale class. The first of these, HMAS Armidale, was commissioned in June 2005, and was the first of fourteen. HMAS Glenelg, the last ship of the class was commissioned in 2008. Two ships have been decommissioned. HMAS Bundaberg in 2014 as a result of extensive damage caused by a fire and HMAS Pirie in 2021.[19]

The 2009 Defence White Paper announced that a new class of 20 offshore combatant vessels would replace the Armidale and Huon classes, along with the Leeuwin and Paluma-class survey ships.[20] The multi-role ships are predicted to displace anywhere up to 2,000 tonnes, and may be equipped with a helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle.[20] However the 2016 Defense White Paper decreased the amount of planned vessels to twelve and stated that they would only replace the Armidales while the other classes would see life-extension work. Lurssen's OPV 80 design was chosen. The class was named Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV). The first ship will be named Arafura.

During the 2019 election campaign, Scott Morrison announced that one hydrographic survey ship and two minehunters would be constructed from the mid 2020s in the Henderson Shipyard Precinct Under SEA 1905 and SEA 2400. SEA 2400 Hyrdographic Data Collection Capability Program which includes the introduction of a Strategic Military Survey Capability (SMSB) to replace the Leeuwin-class survey vessels. While SEA 1905 is the acquisition of a further two Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels in a mine counter-measures configuration.[21][22] This was expanded in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan released on the 30 June 2020 for up to 8 vessels optimised for mine countermeasures and hydrographic survey roles potentially based on the Arafura design.

The Government announced that six evolved Cape-class patrol boats from Austal to be built in Henderson, Western Australia will be acquired for A$350 million on 1 May 2020 to boost patrol capability.[23]

Collins-class submarine HMAS Sheean

The Collins-class submarines, the first of which entered service in 1996, are due to receive a major upgrade to their combat systems, with technology based on the US Navy's Virginia class. This new system will be introduced in conjunction with the new heavyweight torpedo.

In the longer term, the Collins-class submarines will begin to reach the end of their useful life in 2026.[24] To meet an in-service date of 2026, advanced design work on the next generation of Australian submarines will begin by 2014–2015. The submarines are likely to be Australian-built, conventional submarines equipped with air independent propulsion and advanced combat and communications systems.[25] Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon ordered planning to begin on the next generation of submarines to replace the Royal Australian Navy's Collins-class fleet. The 17-year project will be the largest, longest and most expensive defence acquisition since Australia's Federation, potentially costing up to $25 billion. The submarines are expected to be capable of carrying long-range cruise missiles and midget-subs.[26]

According to the 2009 Defence White Paper, the submarine fleet is to be expanded to 12. The submarines will be equipped with cruise missiles and the world's most advanced torpedoes, sonars, combat systems, intelligence gathering systems as well as also being able to support special forces operations. The first submarine is expected to be in service by 2030. The 2009 White Paper predicted the cost of the new submarines at $35 billion.

The RAN currently has two ships used for afloat support/replenishment at sea: HMAS Supply and HMAS Stalwart. Supply, replaced the former support ship HMAS Success in April 2021, while Stalwart replaced the fleet oiler HMAS Sirius in November 2021. Supply and Stalwart are based on the Navantia built Spanish Navy's replenishment vessel Cantabria.[31]

The 2020 Defense Strategic Update And 2020 Force Structure Plan announced the planned procurement of two new additional multi-role sealift and replenishment ships, a replacement of the ADV Ocean Protector, a large salvage and repair vessel, a replacement for STS Young Endeavour youth training ship and a new vessel to support the Pacific Step-Up.[32] The two announced multi-role sealift and support ships - Project Sea2200 - would be domestically built and replace HMAS Choules and enhance the logistical support of the RAN. [33] As of May 2022 BMT Group was the sole company having submitted a proposal based on their ELLIDA design, adapted from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary designated as Tide Class, however the Damen Group reportedly had also shown interest in submitting a design based on their joint support ship class.[34]

One of the RAN's MRH-90s in 2011

The Fleet Air Arm is currently an all rotary winged organisation. The RAN operates 6 MRH-90 helicopters shared with the Australian Army,[35] and 23 MH-60R "Romeo" Seahawk helicopters.

The US government has approved a possible sale of up to 12 additional MH-60R helicopters to the RAN. This is part of the RAN plan to expand and rationalise its support and logistics helicopter fleet by replacing the 6 MRH-90s and operating only one type of helicopter to ease maintenance and training.[36][37] In May 2022, the Morrison government announced that it would purchase 12 MH-60Rs to replace the MRH-90 fleet and a 13th to replace a MH-60R that was ditched in the Philippine Sea in October 2021.[38][39] In September 2022, the Albanese government placed an order for 12+1 MH-60Rs.[40]

(Updated to reflect changes made in the Defence Capability Plan – June 2011 Supplement)

• JP 2048 – Amphibious Deployment and Sustainment program
  • Phase 5: Balikpapan-class landing craft replacement – 6 new LCH design
    • RFI assessment completed. RFP to be issued early 2012.[41]
    • As of 2019 no further developments.
• Sea 1000 – Design and Procurement of Future Submarine
  • Phase 1 & 2: Phase 1 (Design) and Phase 2 (Acquisition) has been combined. Decision not due until 2017–2020 or so.
• Sea 1180 – Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel.
• Sea 1360 – Maritime Extended Range Air Defence (Standard SM-6 for Hobart-class destroyer)
  • Phase 1: Project definition stage. Budget for capability reduced from $1–$2b to $500m-$1b.
• Sea 1439 – Installation of new combat system for Collins-class submarines
  • Phase 4A: Replacement Combat System.
    • Currently underway, IOC has been achieved and FOC expected by 2013.
    • Replacement system is the same AN/BYG-1v8 system fitted to the Virginia-class SSN.
  • Phase 4B: Weapon & Sensor Enhancements.
    • Currently underway.
  • Phase 6: Sonar Replacement.
    • Given first-pass approval.
• Sea 1448 – Anzac-class frigate capability upgrades
  • Phase 2B: Anzac-class Anti-Ship Missile Defence upgrade
    • HMAS Perth successfully completed trials of ASMD upgrade in July 2011.
    • The upgrade of the other seven Anzac-class frigates has been given government approval.[42] The upgrade is due to begin early 2012 and be complete by 2017.
  • Phase 4A: ES system improvement given first-pass approval.
  • Phase 4B: AN/SPS-49 (Air Search Radar) replacement budget increased from $100–$300m to $300–$500m.
    • RFI released.
• Sea 1654 – Maritime Operational Support Capability
  • Phase 3: HMAS Success replacement
    • Keel laid for HMAS Supply on 18 November 2017; she commissioned in April 2021. Second vessel of the class, HMAS Stalwart, commissioned in November 2021.
• Sea 5000 – Future Frigate Program – (Anzac-class frigate replacement)
  • Phase 1: Project definition stage. Contract awarded to BAE Systems Australia June 2018, 9 ships to enter service 2027 - 2042[43]
• SEA 1905 is the acquisition of a further two Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels in a mine counter-measures configuration.[21]
• SEA 2400 is the Hydrographic Data Collection Capability Program which includes the introduction of a Strategic Military Survey Capability (SMSB) to replace the Leeuwin-class survey vessels.[21]
• SEA 2200 - Future joint support ship
  • Initial designs sought for two joint support ships to replace HMAS Choules and be construct domestically.[34]

A full listing of all current projects is available at the Defence Materiel Organisation website.

• Future of the Royal Navy
• Future of the Indian Navy
• Future of the Russian Navy