From Worldatplay

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Established in 1911, 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. 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.

Today the RAN is one of the largest 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.

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.

The RAN's major ships are derivatives of Western designs. They frequently include Australian improvements, for example, the Adelaide class Frigates are based on the American Oliver Hazard Perry frigates, but include such improvements as an 8-cell Mk 41 VLS for Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles. Unlike American ships, they retain their Mk 13 launchers, the capabilities of which are extended by the integration of SM-2MR, and Harpoon Block II. Australia's Hobart class destroyers are Australian made conbatants based on the American Arleigh Burke class, but are larger, with 128 VLS cells, and 16 Harpoon missiles. The ANZAC class Frigates were originally intended as light patrol frigates by the Labor government of the late 1980's, but have been progressively upgraded. Upgrades include adding an extra 8 Mk 41 VLS cells (bringing the total to 16), adding 8 Harpoon launchers, and a new mine avoidance system. An active phased array radar is slated for installation from 2009. Australia's Invincible class Aircraft Carriers were built without Sea Dart, the deck space, and space below being used for an enlarged flight deck, and ore hangar space (Australia had no need for Sea Dart, and found that integrating Tartar in its place would be highly expensive for little added benefit). This modification was later incorporated into English carriers. Australia's carriers also replace largely English systems with American systems.

The RAN has two primary bases for its fleet;

• Fleet Base East, which is located at HMAS Kuttabul near Sydney, NSW.
• Fleet Base West, located at HMAS Stirling near Perth, WA.

In addition, there are three other ports which are home to the majority of the RAN's minor war vessels;

• HMAS Coonawarra, at Darwin, NT.
• HMAS Cairns, at Cairns, QLD.
• HMAS Philomel, at Devonport, NZ.

Vice Admiral Sir Russ Shalders, AK is the current Chief of the Naval Staff and was appointed to this position in 2005.

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Australian White Ensign

This is the Australian White Ensign, it is flown from all RAN commissioned ships, and all RAN commissioned shore establishments. It is also worn on overalls, flying suits, DPCU, and DPDU.

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Rank Insignia

Officer Ranks

Petty Officers, and Seamen

N.B. There is an RAN rank of Admiral of the Fleet, however only the Duke of Edinburgh has ever held this rank, and it is not considered an operational RAN rank.

Australian Defence Force
Australian Army | Royal Australian Air Force | Royal Australian Navy