Counter admiral


Counter admiral is a rank found in many navies of the world, but no longer used in English-speaking countries, where the equivalent rank is rear admiral. The term derives from the French contre-amiral. Depending on the country, it is either a one-star or two-star rank.
In modern navies that use it, rear admiral is generally, although not always, the lowest flag officer rank.

Portugal and Brazil

In the navies of Portugal and Brazil, the rank of contra-almirante is the lowest of the permanent flag officer ranks. In the Portuguese Navy there is a flag officer rank below that of contra-almirante, the rank of comodoro, but this is only a provisional appointment, assigned to some captains.
Until the end of the 19th century, the present rank of contra-almirante was named chefe de esquadra, both in the Portuguese and the Brazilian navies.

France

Contre-Amiral is the OF-6 rank of the Marine nationale.

Germany

Konteradmiral is an OF-7 two-star rank of Deutsche Marine, equivalent to the Generalmajor in the German Army and the German Air Force.
See also:

Former USSR and Russia

Kontr-admiral was the lowest flag officer rank of the Soviet Navy and is the lowest flag rank of the Russian Navy, similar to an OF-6 officer.