The Royal Australian Navy provides maritime forces that contribute to the Australian Defence Force's capacity to defend Australia, contribute to regional security, support global interests, shape the strategic environment, and protect national interests. This is achieved by providing maritime patrol and response, interdiction and strategic strike, protection of shipping and off-shore territories and resources, maritime intelligence collection and evaluation, and escort duties.
Peacetime activities include maritime surveillance and response within Australia's offshore maritime zones; hydrographic, oceanographic and meteorological support operations; humanitarian and disaster relief; maritime search and rescue.
