The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has around 34-36 commissioned vessels, including destroyers, frigates, submarines, and patrol boats, with plans for significant expansion to over 26 major surface warships plus other support vessels, aiming to build its largest fleet since WWII, according to 2024-2025 data. This fleet includes three Hobart-class destroyers, seven Anzac-class frigates, six Collins-class submarines, and various patrol and amphibious ships, with future plans for new frigates, optionally crewed vessels, and nuclear-powered submarines.
The Royal Australian Navy consists of nearly 50 commissioned vessels and over 16,000 personnel, and is one of the largest and most sophisticated naval forces in the Pacific region.
The RAAF provides support across a spectrum of operations such as air superiority, precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, air mobility, space surveillance, and humanitarian support. The RAAF has 252 aircraft, of which 108 are combat aircraft.
Our fleet comprises nine modern and versatile ships that undertake a full range of maritime tasks from combat and peacekeeping operations to border patrol and support for government agencies. We also utilise other watercraft to deliver naval capabilities.
Under Project Sea 3000, Australia is set to acquire 11 General Purpose Frigates, which, with the Hunter-class frigates, will replace the Navy's ageing Anzac-class frigates.
Australia plans to build five SSN-AUKUS submarines in addition to acquiring three nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines from the United States. When in service with the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy, submarine crews will train and patrol together and undertake joint maintenance and support.
Australia's biggest warships are the two HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra, Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships, measuring 230 meters long and displacing over 27,000 tonnes, making them the largest vessels ever built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). These versatile ships serve as mobile airfields and command centers, capable of deploying helicopters, landing craft, vehicles, and over a thousand troops for amphibious assaults or humanitarian aid.
The Penguin anti-ship guided missile, which carries a 120kg warhead, has been part of the New Zealand Defence Force armoury.
"The US Navy's USS Gerald R Ford (CVN79) is the largest aircraft carrier and largest warship in the world. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned on 22 July 2017, it displaces over 100,000 tons at full load on overall dimensions of 333 by 78 m (1,092 by 256 ft).
Yes, roughly 80% (or around 78%) of New Zealand's land is considered uninhabited, not because it's truly barren, but due to challenging terrain like mountains, vast protected areas (National Parks), and large expanses of farmland managed by few people, causing most of the population to cluster along the coasts and in major cities like Auckland.
Australia has received its full fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, with the final aircraft delivered in late 2024, forming the backbone of the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) air combat capability alongside Super Hornets and Growlers. While the current fleet is 72, there are discussions and potential plans to acquire more, possibly increasing the total to 100 aircraft in the future.
Yes, Australia has a strong, technologically advanced, and well-trained military (the Australian Defence Force - ADF), ranking globally as a significant power, especially in the Asia-Pacific, despite its relatively small size; it excels in defense networks and is investing heavily in modernizing its air, land, and sea capabilities with key partners like the US and UK, making it a highly capable regional force.
In a direct head-to-head matchup, the J-35 would edge out the American F-35C on speed, with a claimed top speed of up Mach 1.8, potentially allowing the J-35 to engage (or disengage) faster in supersonic fights compared to the F-35C's Mach 1.6.
Australia's alliance with the United States of America is our most important defence relationship. It is central to Australia's strategic and security arrangements.
The US Navy holds the distinction of the most powerful and capable navy in the world. The star of the US fleet –The stealthy and technologically advanced destroyers. These are the largest destroyers ever built, primarily deployed for land attack.
Australia's largest naval base is HMAS Stirling, located on Garden Island near Perth, Western Australia, serving as Fleet Base West and home to the RAN's entire submarine service and frigates, supporting a large population of personnel and essential maritime facilities. While HMAS Albatross is the Navy's largest operational air station (Fleet Air Arm), Stirling is the overall biggest shore establishment by personnel and infrastructure.
The average lifespan of a vessel is between 30 and 50 years. This longevity is not attainable without constant and ongoing maintenance, repair, and refit.
The highest attainable TvR score is 323.9 currently held by the United States Navy (USN ). This is because the USN features a broad mix of warship and submarine types as well as balance strengthened by overall numbers (quantity) - pulling ahead by its vaunted carrier fleet.
Iceland has not had a standing army since 1869, but is an active member of NATO. The Crisis Response Unit is an expeditionary peacekeeping force. There is an extensive militarised Coast Guard incorporating an air defence system, and a police service which maintains a police tactical unit.
In 2017, States including New Zealand adopted the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). New Zealand became a state party to the TPNW in 2018. The TPNW's comprehensive prohibitions on nuclear weapons complement New Zealand's domestic nuclear-free legislation.
As part of the Albanese Government's commitment to establish a sovereign guided weapons industry and a future made in Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia and Defence will commence production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles at the facility by the end of 2025.
HMAS Hobart (III), guided missile destroyer. Commissioned on 23 September 2017, HMAS Hobart (III) is the first of 3 ships of the Hobart Class guided missile destroyers (DDG). Hobart Class DDGs are based on the Navantia-designed F100 frigate and fitted with the Aegis Combat System.
Australia's biggest military bases vary by service, with RAAF Base Amberley being the largest operational airbase, Lavarack Barracks (Townsville) the biggest Army base, and Fleet Base West (HMAS Stirling) the largest Navy base in the country. Other massive training areas like Bradshaw Field Training Area are huge in physical size but serve a different function.
Australia has operated the F-35A since 2014 with initial training and operations at Luke Air Force Base in the US. The first 2 Australian F-35A aircraft landed at RAAF Base Williamtown in December 2018, commencing the transition to an Australian-based operation.