Future of the Royal Australian Navy
Its fleet is based around two main types of surface combatant, with limited global deployment and air power capability.
However, in 2009, a white paper, Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030, was produced by the Australian government which set out a programme of defence spending that will see significant improvements to the RAN's fleet and capabilities.
In recent times, Australia released its Surface Fleet Review in 2024, which analyses the future of the RAN and shows what the Government will procure.
Subsequent Defence White Papers released in 2013 and 2016, and a Defence Strategic Update released in 2020 did not radically change the force structure of the Royal Australian Navy and repeated a modest number of 2 landing helicopter docks, 12 diesel-electric submarines 12 frigates and destroyers and 12 OPVs.
Other major work as part of AMCAP upgrade include: The most significant project recently completed for the RAN are three Hobart-class air warfare destroyers to replace the Adelaide-class frigates.
The destroyers are being built by ASC Pty Ltd, although the project involves a significant amount of work sub-contracted to other companies and locations.
The program is expected to cost AU$35 billion and a request for tender for the vessel design was released in March 2017 to three contenders: Navantia, Fincantieri, and BAE Systems as part of a competitive evaluation process.
In June 2018, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that a variation of the BAE design had been selected as the preferred tender for the Hunter-class frigates.
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.
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.
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.
[25] 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.
[27] 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.
It was determined that this class would be reduced, both in terms of vessel count down from 12 to 6, but also in role with their focus shifting to civil maritime security operations.
[30][31] This was expanded in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan released on 30 June 2020 for up to 8 vessels optimised for mine countermeasures and hydrographic survey roles potentially based on the Arafura design.
[32] 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.
[34] Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon ordered planning to begin on the next generation of submarines to replace the Royal Australian Navy's Collins-class fleet.
In the first phase RAN personnel will be trained by the US and UK, while Australia develops submarine shipyard infrastructure and maintenance facilities.
[42] 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 the youth training ship STS Young Endeavour and a new vessel to support the Pacific Step-Up.
