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Ranks and special insignia of the Royal Australian Navy.

Naval uniforms are important symbols of military rank and reflect organisational history. The uniforms contribute to morale, pride, discipline and public perception of the Royal Australian Navy.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has a range of recognisable emblems that are protected by legislation. They represent Navy’s history, tradition, values and people, both past and present.

The origin and history of the official badge of the Royal Australian Navy.

The Royal Australian Navy serves Australia's interests in war, and in peace. The Navy projects power and good influence, reducing the prospect of threat to Australia, to its broader interests, or to its allies and like-minded partners.

TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT Catch a glimpse of HMAS Adelaide as it sails up the River Derwent into the Port of Hobart. The ship will sail past Iron Pot Island at approximately 8:45 am and berth at Macquarie’s Berth at 10 am, Friday 1 August…

HMAS Watson was commissioned in March 1945 and became a purely naval establishment with the departure of the Army in 1981. Located at Sydney's South Head, it is Navy’s premier maritime warfare training establishment.

Commissioned on 27th October 2018, HMAS Brisbane (III) is the second 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. The Air…

Commissioned on 10 February 2006, HMAS Bathurst is an Armidale Class patrol boat built by Austal Ships, Freemantle. Armidale Class patrol boats are highly capable and versatile warships which are able to conduct a wide variety of missions and tasks…

Built by Tenix Defence Systems in Williamstown, Victoria, HMAS Ballarat (II) is the sixth of 8 Anzac Class frigates based on the German Meko 200 frigate. Anzac Class is a long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare,…

Built by Tenix Defence Systems in Williamstown, Victoria, HMAS Arunta (II) is the second of 8 Anzac Class frigates based on the German Meko 200 frigate. Anzac Class is a long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare,…

Commissioned on 28 June 2025, HMAS Arafura is an Arafura Class offshore patrol vessel (OPV). It is the first of 6 Arafura Class ships built to replace the Armidale Class and Cape Class patrol boats. Arafura was constructed by Luerssen…

Commissioned on 15 July 2006, HMAS Albany is an Armidale Class patrol boat built by Austal Ships, Fremantle. Armidale Class patrol boats are highly capable and versatile warships which are able to conduct a wide variety of missions and tasks.…

HMAS Adelaide (III) was commissioned at a ceremony at Fleet Base East, Sydney on 4 December 2015. Built by BAE Systems Australia and Navantia, the landing helicopter dock (LHD) ships are the largest ever constructed for the Royal Australian Navy (…

HMAS Canberra was commissioned at an official ceremony at Fleet Base East, Sydney on 28 November 2014. In March 2015, HMAS Canberra was formally designated the flagship of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Built by BAE Systems Australia and Navantia…

The Mark 54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo (LHT) is an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) torpedo used by the Royal Australian Navy. It is air-dropped by the Navy's MH-60R Seahawk helicopters as well as the Royal Australian Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon maritime…

Navy is excited to co-host the Indo-Pacific Sea Power Conference 2025, a world-class event showcasing the Royal Australian Navy, Defence Industry partners, academia, global allies and other elements of Australia’s national power that contribute to…

Surface Force Command consists of a number of groups and departments that work collectively to ensure the RAN Major Fleet Units are available, sustainable and lethal in order to complete Navy's mission.

The Support Force mission is to deliver shore-based resources to help meet Navy goals. This includes maritime support such as vessels and services.

The Submarine Force (SUBFOR), located at HMAS Stirling, is responsible for providing a potent and enduring submarine capability that serves as the nation’s principal strategic deterrent. SUBFOR manages and coordinates the provision of a submarine capability to meet the Fleet Commander’s operational requirements.

Mine Warfare, Clearance Diving and Geospatial Force (MDGFOR) is responsible for leading and developing the Royal Australian Navy's capabilities in mine warfare, clearance diving, underwater engineering and geospatial intelligence.

Information warfare is the integrated employment of Navy’s information-based capabilities (communications, cyber, intelligence, networks, electronic warfare and imagery) to degrade, deny, deceive or destroy an enemy’s information environment or to enhance the effectiveness of friendly operations.

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is Navy’s aviation force which focuses on flying crewed and remotely piloted aircraft from ships at sea in support military operations.

Located in Draper Street, Portsmith, HMAS Cairns is the homeport for 5 naval vessels supported by 900 Navy and civilian personnel.

In May 2022, Navy Headquarters South Australia was recommissioned as HMAS Encounter. The base is located at Keswick Barracks, just on the southern outskirts of Adelaide's parklands in South Australia.

Force Commands are responsible for the coordination and management of all aspects of capability management. They sustain a maritime force capable of delivering mission-specific capabilities in line with strategic guidance across the full spectrum of maritime operations.

In line with the ‘Two-Ocean Basing Plan’ announced in 1987, the RAN has maintained a two-ocean navy (Pacific and Indian) capable of deploying major fleet units for sustained operations off both the east and west coasts.

Established in September 1920, HMAS Cerberus is Navy’s premier training establishment. It is located 70 km from Melbourne near Crib Point on Hanns Inlet, Western Port Bay.

HMAS Penguin was commissioned on 14 July 1942. It is situated in the suburb of Balmoral on Middle Head in Sydney Harbour and has an annex at Pittwater on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

HMAS Stirling was formally commissioned in July 1978. It is located on Garden Island near the city of Perth in Western Australia and is part of Fleet Base West.