Royal Australian Navy

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is currently undergoing its most significant structural transformation since World War II, shifting toward a "two-tier" surface fleet designed for high-end integrated warfare. As of late 2025, the fleet consists of approximately 34 commissioned warships and several non-commissioned support vessels. The core of its Tier 1 strike capability is built around three Hobart-class Aegis destroyers and the remaining Anzac-class frigates, though the latter are being phased out in favor of the upcoming Hunter-class anti-submarine frigates and a new class of 11 general-purpose frigates (based on the Japanese Mogami or similar designs). Its undersea capability currently relies on six Collins-class diesel-electric submarines, which are undergoing life-of-type extensions to bridge the gap until the arrival of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership.

The RAN’s strategic doctrine has pivoted from a focus on regional constabulary and trade-route protection toward "impactful deterrence" and sea denial. Under the 2024 National Defence Strategy and subsequent updates in 2025, the Navy’s primary mission is to prevent an adversary from projecting power against Australia through its northern maritime approaches. This doctrine emphasizes a "continuous wide-area surveillance" network—integrating space-based sensors, P-8A Poseidon aircraft, and uncrewed systems like the Ghost Shark UUV—to create a strategic barrier across the archipelagic arc to Australia's north. With two Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs), the Navy also maintains a potent amphibious power-projection capability, allowing for humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and regional stability operations throughout the Indo-Pacific.