Royal Australian Navy

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN} is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Established in 1909, the RAN was formed out of the Commonwealth Naval Forces, the small navy of Australia after federation, which consisted of the colonial navies of the new Australian states. The Royal Navy continued to provide blue water defence in the Pacific until World War Two, when expansion of the RAN saw the acquisition of aircraft carriers, and other large surface vessels.

External links

• Royal Australian Navy home page
• 'Virtual Fleet' - on-line computer based 'tour' of ships and aircraft
• Maritimequest Royal Australian Navy photo gallery
• Official Biographies:
• Chief of Navy
• Maritime Commander
• Naval Support Commander