From Colonial Waters to Global Force: The Complete History of the Royal Australian Navy

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) evolved from modest colonial beginnings into one of the most sophisticated naval forces in the Asia-Pacific region. Its journey spans over 120 years, shaped by two world wars, regional conflicts, strategic partnerships, and technological revolutions. This comprehensive history traces the RAN’s development from local defense flotillas to a modern naval force with global reach and influence.

Colonial foundations and the birth of Australia’s navy

Australia’s naval history began well before federation, with five of the six Australian colonies maintaining their own small naval forces primarily focused on harbor defense. Victoria led with the most powerful colonial fleet, including HMVS Cerberus and multiple gunboats, while New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania operated smaller vessels. These colonial navies relied on the Royal Navy’s Australian Squadron, established in 1859, for blue-water defense.

When Australia federated on January 1, 1901, these separate colonial navies were amalgamated into the Commonwealth Naval Forces (CNF). Captain William Rooke Creswell, appointed Director of Naval Forces in 1904, emerged as the strongest advocate for an autonomous Australian navy. He believed that as a maritime nation, Australia needed its own naval force rather than continuing to rely on British protection.

A pivotal moment came at the 1909 Imperial Conference, where a compromise was reached allowing Australia to establish a force for local defense that could also form a fleet unit within the Royal Navy’s imperial strategy. This plan set Australia’s naval force structure as “one battlecruiser, three light cruisers, six destroyers, and three submarines.”

On July 10, 1911, King George V granted the title of “Royal Australian Navy” to the Commonwealth Naval Forces. Ships received the prefix “His Majesty’s Australian Ship” (HMAS), and the Commonwealth ensign was replaced by the White Ensign, giving the ships international status as vessels of war. The Australian Commonwealth Naval Board was established on March 1, 1911, as the governing authority over the navy.

The first modern vessels of the RAN were the River-class destroyers HMAS Yarra and HMAS Parramatta, which reached Australian waters in November 1910. By 1913, the fleet included the battlecruiser HMAS Australia (I), light cruisers HMAS Sydney and HMAS Melbourne, and several destroyers. On October 4, 1913, the Australian Fleet Unit entered Sydney Harbour for the first time, marking the formal transfer of Australian naval defense responsibility from the Royal Navy to the RAN.

Baptism by fire: The RAN in World War I

When Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, the Australian government immediately placed the RAN at the British Admiralty’s disposal. The RAN fleet began the war with 16 ships, 2 submarines, and 3,800 personnel, including 850 Royal Navy personnel on loan.

The RAN’s first major task was capturing German colonies in the Pacific. The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) captured German New Guinea in September 1914. Tragically, Australia’s first submarine, HMAS AE1, was lost with all 35 crew on September 14, 1914.

The RAN achieved its first significant naval victory when HMAS Sydney engaged and defeated the German cruiser SMS Emden at the Battle of Cocos Islands on November 9, 1914. In a 90-minute battle, Sydney outgunned Emden with its superior range and firepower, forcing the German ship aground. This victory was celebrated throughout Australia and established the RAN’s fighting reputation.

RAN ships were integrated into Royal Navy formations for operations across multiple theaters. HMAS Australia joined the British Grand Fleet and became flagship of the 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron. While Australia missed the Battle of Jutland due to damage from a collision, it was present during the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918.

In the Mediterranean, HMA Submarine AE2 achieved the first successful submarine passage of the Dardanelles during the Gallipoli Campaign on April 25, 1915, before being scuttled after Turkish attack. The Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train, a 300-strong engineering unit, served at Suvla Bay during the Gallipoli Campaign, becoming one of the most decorated RAN units of WWI.

By the war’s end, the RAN had expanded to 37 ships and 5,000 personnel. The service lost 171 personnel during the conflict, including the entire crew of both submarines.

Between the wars: Expansion and contraction

After WWI, the RAN received additional vessels from Britain, including six destroyers, three sloops, and six submarines. During the 1920s, the fleet experienced significant growth, but this was followed by severe cutbacks in the 1930s due to the Great Depression and political apathy toward naval defense.

A significant constraint was the Washington Naval Treaty, which led to the scuttling of battlecruiser HMAS Australia (I) outside Sydney Heads in 1924. By the late 1920s, the fleet had contracted to just five vessels and 3,500 personnel.

The interwar period saw the commissioning of two County-class heavy cruisers, HMAS Australia (II) and HMAS Canberra, in 1928, which formed the backbone of the RAN. HMAS Albatross, Australia’s only seaplane carrier, operated from 1928 to 1933.

As international tensions increased in the late 1930s, the RAN was modernized and expanded, receiving priority funding over the Army and Air Force. By 1939, the fleet included two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers, five destroyers (later nicknamed the “Scrap Iron Flotilla” by Nazi propaganda), and various support vessels.

Fighting across the globe: The RAN in World War II

When Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced Australia’s entry into WWII on September 3, 1939, RAN ships were already pre-deployed. The RAN’s initial involvement was primarily in the Mediterranean theater, where Australian destroyers earned the nickname “Scrap Iron Flotilla” for their tenacity despite their age.

Australian ships participated in the Battle of Cape Matapan (March 1941), ran the dangerous Tobruk Ferry Service to supply the besieged garrison, and helped evacuate thousands of Allied troops from Greece and Crete.

After Japan’s entry into the war in December 1941, the focus shifted to the Pacific theater. HMAS Australia and Hobart participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea (May 1942), which prevented a Japanese invasion of Port Moresby. HMAS Canberra was lost at the Battle of Savo Island in August 1942, and HMAS Perth was sunk in the Battle of Sunda Strait in March 1942.

The RAN suffered its most tragic loss when HMAS Sydney (II) was sunk with all 645 hands in November 1941 after an encounter with the German raider Kormoran off Western Australia. HMAS Australia holds the distinction of being the first Allied ship hit by a kamikaze attack on October 21, 1944.

The Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was established in 1942, with over 3,000 women serving in shore-based positions. At its height, the RAN became the fourth-largest navy in the world, expanding to 39,650 personnel operating 337 warships and 600 auxiliary vessels.

Australia developed its own shipbuilding industry during WWII, producing 24 Bathurst-class corvettes, which earned the nickname “the ships that saved Australia” for their vital escort and minesweeping duties. The RAN lost 34 vessels during the war, including three cruisers and four destroyers. Approximately 3,000 RAN personnel died during the conflict.

Cold War operations: Korea to Vietnam

After WWII, the RAN was reduced in size but gained significant new capabilities, including two Majestic-class light fleet carriers from the Royal Navy: HMAS Sydney (III) and HMAS Melbourne (II).

The Korean War (1950-1953) marked the first major post-WWII conflict involving the RAN. Nine Australian ships participated, including the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, which conducted 2,366 sorties during its three-month deployment. RAN ships provided naval gunfire support, participated in the naval blockade, and conducted hazardous mine clearance operations. Three RAN personnel were killed, all pilots from 805 Squadron.

During the Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation, the RAN maintained a presence as part of the Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve, with two destroyers or frigates on station at any time and annual aircraft carrier visits.

The Vietnam War saw significant RAN involvement between 1962 and 1975. HMAS Sydney (nicknamed “The Vung Tau Ferry”) made 25 operational deployments, transporting approximately 16,000 Australian troops. Destroyers and frigates served on the “gunline” providing naval gunfire support, firing over 100,000 rounds of ammunition. The RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam attached to the US Army 135th Assault Helicopter Company, and Clearance Diving Team 3 conducted underwater explosive ordnance disposal operations. Eight RAN personnel were killed during the conflict.

Two significant incidents marred the Cold War period. On February 10, 1964, HMAS Melbourne collided with and sank HMAS Voyager near Jervis Bay, killing 82 people. Five years later, on June 3, 1969, Melbourne collided with USS Frank E. Evans in the South China Sea, cutting the American destroyer in two and killing 74 US Navy personnel.

By the mid-to-late 1960s, the RAN reached its Cold War zenith with a carrier battle group including the aircraft carrier, three missile destroyers, six frigates, and four submarines. This period also saw the acquisition of Perth-class guided-missile destroyers from the US and the reestablishment of Australia’s submarine service with six Oberon-class submarines.

From Cold War to regional power: The modern RAN emerges

The end of the Cold War saw the RAN transition to a more self-reliant force structure. HMAS Melbourne, Australia’s last aircraft carrier, was decommissioned in 1982 and not replaced, marking the end of fixed-wing naval aviation for Australia.

Significant naval contributions in modern conflicts include:

The First Gulf War (1990-1991) saw the RAN deploy a task group including frigates, a destroyer, and replenishment ships as part of Operation DAMASK. Australian ships enforced UN sanctions, provided air defense for US carrier battle groups, and conducted counter-mine operations. Over 1,800 ADF personnel participated in this deployment.

During the Iraq War (2003-2011), HMAS Anzac provided gunfire support to Royal Marines during the Al-Faw Peninsula operation, while RAN Clearance Divers cleared approaches to Iraqi ports. HMAS Kanimbla’s boarding parties seized an Iraqi ship carrying 86 naval mines. The RAN twice assumed command of coalition forces in the Persian Gulf.

The RAN played a crucial role in the East Timor intervention (1999-2013), Australia’s largest peacekeeping operation since Vietnam. Sixteen RAN vessels supported the INTERFET operation, transporting troops and equipment, providing naval gunfire support, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance.

Regional maritime security operations included participation in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, border protection operations in Australia’s northern approaches, and disaster relief following events like the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and Cyclone Winston in Fiji (2016).

Fleet modernization and capability development

The RAN’s fleet has undergone significant modernization in recent decades:

The Anzac-class frigates, based on the German MEKO 200 design, entered service from 1996 to 2006, providing the backbone of the surface fleet. Six Adelaide-class (modified Oliver Hazard Perry-class) frigates from the US operated from the 1980s until their recent retirement.

Six Collins-class submarines, built in Australia by the Australian Submarine Corporation, entered service from 1996, replacing the Oberon-class. These submarines represented Australia’s largest defense project at the time and established indigenous submarine-building capabilities.

The 21st century has seen major fleet renewal programs, including three Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyers (2017-2020), featuring the Aegis combat system, and two 27,000-tonne Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Dock amphibious assault ships (2014-2015), the largest vessels ever operated by the RAN.

Australia has also developed significant indigenous naval technology, most notably the CEAFAR phased array radar system, which has been integrated into multiple vessel classes and exported internationally.

Strategic shifts and future direction

The RAN’s strategic doctrine has evolved significantly. During the Cold War, it focused on anti-submarine warfare within a broader Western alliance framework. Post-Cold War, the focus shifted to regional security operations with a greater emphasis on littoral operations and amphibious capabilities.

The 2021 AUKUS partnership with the United States and United Kingdom represents the most significant enhancement of Australia’s alliance relationships in decades, centered on the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines—a capability Australia has never before possessed.

Current plans call for the most significant expansion of the RAN since World War II. The future fleet will include:

• Eight nuclear-powered submarines (three Virginia-class from the US and five SSN-AUKUS built in Australia)
• Nine “Tier 1” surface combatants (three upgraded Hobart-class destroyers and six Hunter-class frigates)
• Eleven “Tier 2” general-purpose frigates
• Six large optionally-crewed surface vessels with significant missile capabilities

This planned expansion would nearly double the RAN’s combat fleet by the 2040s, reflecting Australia’s response to growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region.

Naval leadership and organization

The RAN’s leadership structure evolved from heavy British influence to Australian independence. Of the first 10 Chiefs of Naval Staff (1911-1948), only one was Australian, with the rest being Royal Navy officers on loan. Vice Admiral Sir John Augustine Collins became the first permanently appointed Australian Chief of Naval Staff in 1948.

In total, 33 officers have served as Chief of Naval Staff/Chief of Navy, including just one ADFA graduate—the current Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond. Notable leaders include Vice Admiral Sir William Rooke Creswell (considered the “father of the RAN”), Admiral Sir George Francis Hyde (first Australian to reach rank of full admiral), and Vice Admiral Sir Roy Russell Dowling (first naval aviator to become CNS).

Women’s integration into the RAN progressed gradually. The Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service was initially formed in 1942, disbanded in 1947, then reestablished in 1951. Until 1968, women were compelled to leave service upon marriage. The RAN was the final ADF branch to fully integrate women in 1985. By 2023, female personnel made up 24% of the permanent force, the second-highest percentage in the ADF.

The current organizational structure includes Naval Headquarters in Canberra, with two main components: Fleet Command (responsible for raising, training, and sustaining the fleet) and Navy Strategic Command (responsible for long-term planning and capability development).

Naval culture and traditions: Distinctly Australian

While much of the RAN’s early culture derived from British traditions, distinctly Australian elements emerged over time. The RAN adopted Royal Navy traditions, including ceremonial customs, uniforms, and organizational structures, but developed its own identity.

The RAN was granted permission to fly the White Ensign rather than the expected Blue Ensign of other Commonwealth navies, distinguishing it and giving it equal status with the Royal Navy in international waters. RAN ships also flew the Australian jack at the jackstaff, marking their distinct Australian identity.

Core values of Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity, and Excellence form the foundation of RAN culture. The New Generation Navy program, launched in the early 2000s, aimed to modernize leadership and workplace practices.

The RAN maintains many traditional naval ceremonies, including Ceremonial Sunset, ship commissionings, and Crossing the Line rituals. A rich naval slang continues to be used throughout the service, forming part of its distinctive identity and connecting today’s sailors with their predecessors.

Conclusion: Australia’s maritime guardian

From colonial beginnings to nuclear-powered ambitions, the Royal Australian Navy has continually evolved to meet Australia’s defense needs while making substantial contributions to regional and global security. Its history reflects Australia’s journey from British dominion to independent regional power, adapting to changing strategic environments, technological advancements, and alliance structures.

Today, as Australia faces a complex and evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, the RAN continues to modernize its force structure and capabilities to meet emerging challenges. The most ambitious expansion since World War II, centered on the acquisition of nuclear submarines and advanced surface combatants, will determine whether the RAN can fulfill its mission as Australia’s maritime guardian in an increasingly contested region for decades to come.