The Impact of the Charles F. Adams Class Guided Missile Destroyers on the Royal Australian Navy

This is a case study, based upon Australian and US archival records (some of the former newly declassified), of the acquisition of a new naval capability, examining its impact upon and legacy for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), as well as Australia’s Government and its policy. It demonstrates how three United States Navy (USN) Charles F. Adams guided missile destroyers (DDGs) were important catalysts for the Royal Australian Navy’s greater self-reliance. The DDGs were acquired out of Australian interest in a closer security relationship with the US, facilitated through standardisation of RAN warships with the USN. Self-interest was mutual, and Australia was permitted to acquire, for the first time, advanced USN warships. Their purchase and affordability were aided by preferential US financing arrangements. The ships were in service from 1965 to 2001, during which time the RAN acquired six more warships of USN-origin and no more of Royal Navy (RN) origin. During this period a relatively equal professional relationship emerged between the RAN and USN, paralleling the RAN’s transition away from its roots in and traditional relationship with the RN. When the DDGs left service, the RAN was more independent and confident as a professional medium power navy. Introduction of the DDGs coincided with Australia’s involvement in the Cold War and with regional security concerns. Vietnam was a watershed in modern naval operations for the RAN; the DDGs served as vehicles of Government policy and built Australia’s credibility with its major ally. But in Australian political circles the level of real understanding of how the DDGs contributed to Australia’s security was variable. Although twice modernised with digital combat systems, they were in service too long and their replacement lacked a sense of urgency. Their operational and force structure legacy post-2016 is the US Aegis system-equipped Hobart class DDGs. For just over 25 years, the Chiefs of the RAN were officers who had commanded a DDG. They, and other similarly experienced officers, constituted the RAN’s senior leadership group. Superimposition of their DDG experiences upon RN methods involved cultural change in the RAN which became more authentically Australian in character and name