List of ship commissionings in 1981
The list of ship commissionings in 1981 includes a chronological list of all ships commissioned in 1981.
| Operator | Ship | Flag | Class and type | Pennant | Other notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 March |  Coiste an Asgard
|
Asgard II | Sail training brigantine | |||
| 21 March |  Royal Australian Navy
|
Canberra | Adelaide-class frigate | FFG 02 | ||
| 14 April |  Royal Netherlands Navy
|
Piet Hein | Kortenaer-class frigate | F811 | ||
| 1 August |  Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
|
Khanjar | Kaman-class fast attack craft | P230 | ||
| 1 August | Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
|
Neyzeh | Kaman-class fast attack craft | P231 | ||
| 1 August | Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
|
Tabarzin | Kaman-class fast attack craft | P232 | ||
| 10 October |  Hellenic Navy
|
Elli | Elli-class frigate | F450 | First in class | |
| 2 December | Royal Netherlands Navy
|
Philips van Almonde | Kortenaer-class frigate | F823 |