In modern navies that use it, counter admiral is generally, although not always, the lowest flag officer rank.
In France and other French speaking countries' navies the rank of Contre-amiral is used as the lowest flag officer.
In the navies of Portugal and Mozambique the rank of contra-almirante is the second lowest, above that of comodoro (commodore).
Until the end of the 19th century, the present rank of contra-almirante was named chefe de esquadra (chief of squadron), both in the Portuguese and in the Brazilian navies.
Kontr-admiral was the lowest flag officer rank of the Soviet Navy and is the lowest flag rank of the Russian Navy, similar to an OF-6 officer.