HMAS

Military abbreviation · Naval Ship

HMAS
Stands forHis Majesty's Australian Ship
CategoriesMilitary

HMAS stands for His Majesty's Australian Ship, a naval ship abbreviation also used in transportation.

Australian equivalent of HMS, used for commissioned ships of the Royal Australian Navy, as in HMAS Canberra. It became "His" in 2022 after the accession of King Charles III.

Example: HMAS Hobart joined the multinational exercise off the coast of Hawaii.

Usage notes

The Royal Australian Navy dates to 1911 and has fought alongside the US Navy from World War II to the Gulf. Under the AUKUS partnership, Australia plans to operate nuclear-powered attack submarines. The equivalent New Zealand prefix is HMNZS.

More naval ship abbreviations

  • BB – Battleship
  • CG – Guided-missile cruiser
  • CVN – Aircraft carrier, nuclear-powered
  • DDG – Guided-missile destroyer
  • ESB – Expeditionary Sea Base
  • FFG – Guided-missile frigate
  • HMCS – His Majesty's Canadian Ship
  • HMS – His Majesty's Ship
  • LCAC – Landing Craft, Air Cushion
  • LCS – Littoral combat ship
  • LHA – Amphibious assault ship (general purpose)
  • LHD – Amphibious assault ship (multipurpose)

See all 23 naval ship abbreviations →