Nation

Australia

Defence ministry: Department of Defence (on government.ginc.org). Services: Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Joint Capabilities Group.

Australia on government.ginc.org · companies.ginc.org (when it opens)

Active personnel, published
60,609
World Bank armed forces total: 60,000 (2020)
Reserves, published
25,817
Whole security apparatus, published
74,491
Headcount published for 24 per cent of services, agencies and formations
Active platforms
3,535
Land 2,821 · Air 582 · Sea 128 · Cyber and C4ISR 4
Median year in service
1998
Interquartile 1986–1998, weighted by count
Domestic share
59 per cent
Of active platforms with a known origin
Supplier concentration
0.41
Herfindahl index of origin across 11 supplier nations

Force fingerprint

The national security structure sized by active headcount, always from the head of state: row 1 the head of state and government, row 2 the governing bodies (grey, each as wide as the forces beneath it), row 3 the services and agencies coloured by security domain, row 4 the major commands, row 5 the major formations. A hatched segment is a body whose headcount is not published.

  • Land
  • Sea
  • Air
  • Space
  • Cyber
  • Strategic
  • Intelligence
  • Internal security
  • Joint
  • Headcount not published

SVG · PNG

Order of battle

The whole national security structure from the head of state down to major formations. Bars are as wide as their headcount; the state and government bodies are drawn grey, as the government directory has them. Click a bar to zoom into it.

Known unknowns

  • ASIO's headcount has been redacted from its public annual report since 2023–24.
  • ASIS, ASD, ONI, DIO and AGO do not publish staff numbers.
  • Joint Capabilities Group, Space Command and Joint Operations Command do not publish headcount.

Equipment fingerprint

Holdings by taxonomy: row 1 the ministry and its services, row 2 the six domains, row 3 the categories, row 4 each platform held as wide as its count, row 5 its split into active, reserve and on order. A hatched segment is a platform held with no published count.

Holdings

One row per platform held. Each figure is a claim with a source: the most recent official figure where one is published, else the most recent Wikipedia equipment list, else SIPRI's delivered total. Figures are never averaged.

87 of 87 platforms
ReserveOn orderFigure from
Land · Main battle tank
M1 AbramsAustralian ArmyMain battle tank4629United States1980Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Land · Infantry fighting vehicle
BoxerAustralian ArmyInfantry fighting vehicle25186Germany2011Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
K21Infantry fighting vehicle–129South Korea2009SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
Land · Armoured personnel carrier
Bushmaster Protected Mobility VehicleAustralian ArmyArmoured personnel carrier789405Australia1998Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
M113 armoured personnel carriers in Australian serviceAustralian ArmyArmoured personnel carrier431United StatesWikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
Land · Reconnaissance and light armour
HawkeiAustralian ArmyReconnaissance and light armour918AustraliaAir Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
ASLAVAustralian ArmyReconnaissance and light armour257AustraliaWikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
LAV-25Reconnaissance and light armour128Canada1983SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Land · Self-propelled artillery
AS9 HuntsmanAustralian ArmySelf-propelled artillery624South Korea1999Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
Land · Towed artillery
L118Towed artillery111United Kingdom1975SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
M777Australian ArmyTowed artillery48United Kingdom2005Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
Land · Rocket artillery and MLRS
M142 HIMARSAustralian ArmyRocket artillery and MLRS834United States1996Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
Land · Mortars (120 mm+)
M224Australian ArmyMortars (120 mm+)heldUnited States1978Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Armylow
M252Australian ArmyMortars (120 mm+)heldUnited Kingdom1987Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Armylow
Land · Anti-tank missile system
FGM-148 JavelinAustralian ArmyAnti-tank missile systemheldUnited States1996SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
SpikeAnti-tank missile systemheldIsrael1997SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Land · Ground-based air defence (short range)
RBS 70Ground-based air defence (short range)heldSweden1977SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Land · Ground-based air defence (medium and long range)
NASAMSAustralian ArmyGround-based air defence (medium and long range)7United States1998Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
RapierGround-based air defence (medium and long range)heldUnited Kingdom1971SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Land · Engineering and bridging
M1150 Assault Breacher VehicleEngineering and bridging209United States2010SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
M1074 Joint Assault BridgeEngineering and bridging125United StatesSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
JCB HMEEAustralian ArmyEngineering and bridging8United StatesWikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
M88 Recovery VehicleAustralian ArmyEngineering and bridging76United States1961Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Sea · Amphibious assault ship
LCM-8-class landing craftAustralian ArmyAmphibious assault ship12United States1959Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
Canberra-class landing helicopter dockAmphibious assault ship2Australia2014Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
HMAS ChoulesAmphibious assault ship1United Kingdom2006Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Sea · Destroyer
Hobart-class destroyerDestroyer3Australia2015Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Sea · Frigate
Anzac-class frigateFrigate7Australia1993Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Sea · Fast attack and patrol craft
ADV Cape OtwayFast attack and patrol craft23Australia2022Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
HMAS Cape WoolamaiFast attack and patrol craft22Unknown2023Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
HMAS Cape CapricornFast attack and patrol craft13Unknown2023Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
HMAS Cape PillarFast attack and patrol craft13Unknown2023Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
Cape-class patrol boatFast attack and patrol craft8Australia2013Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
ADV Cape PeronFast attack and patrol craft5Australia2022Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
HMAS Cape NaturalisteFast attack and patrol craft4Unknown2022Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
Arafura-class offshore patrol vesselFast attack and patrol craft2Australia2021Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
ADV Cape SchanckFast attack and patrol craft1Unknown2024Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
ADV Cape SolanderFast attack and patrol craft1Unknown2024Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy ships
Seahorse MercatorFast attack and patrol craftheldUnknown1998Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy shipslow
Sea · Mine warfare
Huon-class minehunterMine warfare2Australia1997Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Sea · Conventional submarine
Collins-class submarineConventional submarine6Australia1993Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Sea · Replenishment and auxiliary
Supply-class replenishment oilerReplenishment and auxiliary2SpainAir Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Leeuwin-class survey vesselReplenishment and auxiliary1AustraliaAir Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
ACV Ocean ProtectorReplenishment and auxiliaryheldUnknown2007Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy shipslow
ADV GuidanceReplenishment and auxiliaryheldUnknownWikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy shipslow
ADV ReliantReplenishment and auxiliaryheldUnknownWikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy shipslow
MV StokerReplenishment and auxiliaryheldUnknown2015Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy shipslow
Air · Fighter and multirole
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIFighter and multirole72United States2015Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Boeing F/A-18 Super HornetRoyal Australian Air ForceFighter and multirole24United States2001Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
HunterFighter and multirole–6United Kingdom1956SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
Air · Attack helicopter
TigerAttack helicopter22GermanyAir Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Hughes AH-64 ApacheAustralian ArmyAttack helicopter623United States1984Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Air · Tanker
Airbus A330 MRTTTanker7France2011Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Air · Airborne early warning and control
Boeing E-7 WedgetailAirborne early warning and control6United States2012Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Air · Maritime patrol
Boeing P-8 PoseidonRoyal Australian Air ForceMaritime patrol14United States2013Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Air · ISR and electronic warfare aircraft
Boeing EA-18G GrowlerRoyal Australian Air ForceISR and electronic warfare aircraft12United States2008Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Gulfstream G550 MC-55ARoyal Australian Air ForceISR and electronic warfare aircraft4United States2003Wikipedia: Royal Australian Air Force
MC-55A PeregrineISR and electronic warfare aircraft3United StatesAir Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Air · Trainer
PC-9Trainer67Switzerland1986SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Pilatus PC-21Royal Australian Air ForceTrainer49SwitzerlandAir Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
BAE Systems HawkTrainer33United Kingdom1976Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
EC135Australian ArmyTrainer15Germany1996Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Alpha JetTrainer3France1977SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
MV SycamoreTrainerheldUnknown2016Wikipedia: List of active Royal Australian Navy shipslow
Air · Transport aircraft
Beechcraft 200 Super King AirTransport aircraft12United States2009Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
C-130J Super HerculesTransport aircraft12United States1999Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
C-27J SpartanRoyal Australian Air ForceTransport aircraft10Italy2006Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIITransport aircraft8United States1995Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Dassault Falcon 7XRoyal Australian Air ForceTransport aircraft3France2007Wikipedia: Royal Australian Air Force
Boeing 737 MAX 8 BBJRoyal Australian Air ForceTransport aircraft2United States1968Wikipedia: Royal Australian Air Force
Boeing Business JetTransport aircraft2UnknownAir Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Air · Transport and utility helicopter
S-70Transport and utility helicopter5623United StatesSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
NH90Transport and utility helicopter47FranceSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Sikorsky SH-60 SeahawkTransport and utility helicopter2313United States1984Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Sikorsky UH-60 Black HawkAustralian ArmyTransport and utility helicopter1721United States1979Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Boeing CH-47 ChinookAustralian ArmyTransport and utility helicopter14United States1962Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
Bell 412Australian ArmyTransport and utility helicopter2United States1981Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
AgustaWestland AW139Australian ArmyTransport and utility helicopter1Italy2003Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Army
Air · Combat UAV
Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Block 1 Block 2Royal Australian Air ForceCombat UAV17AustraliaWikipedia: Royal Australian Air Force
Air · ISR UAV
AAI RQ-7 ShadowISR UAV10United States2002SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Schiebel Camcopter S-100ISR UAV6Austria2024SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Northrop Grumman MQ-4C TritonRoyal Australian Air ForceISR UAV3United States2018Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence official websites (aircraft, ships and project pages) plus Defence news and Ministerial releases (Department of Defence)
AeroVironment Wasp IIIAustralian ArmyISR UAVheldUnited StatesWikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Armylow
Black Hornet NanoAustralian ArmyISR UAVheldNorway2015Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Armylow
RQ-21 BlackjackAustralian ArmyISR UAVheldUnited States2014Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Australian Armylow
Cyber and C4ISR · Long-range radar
AN/FPS-117Long-range radar4United States1983SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
MSTARLong-range radarheldUnited KingdomSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow

Suppliers

Origin nations by share of active platforms, the domestic bar first. Colours follow the origin highlight: domestic, allied or treaty partner, other foreign.

Australia

United States

United Kingdom

Canada

Switzerland

Germany

France

Italy

South Korea

Austria

Spain

2,040

855

193

128

116

62

60

11

6

6

2

Sources for this nation

  • official:aus
  • sipri-at
  • wikipedia:list-of-active-royal-australian-navy-ships
  • wikipedia:list-of-equipment-of-the-australian-army
  • wikipedia:royal-australian-air-force

Structure: ref/units/AUS.yaml, every body with the source that acknowledges it. See sources and methodology.