The Collins Class project was established by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1982.
Replacing the RAN's Oberon Class, the new design was required to meet the unique needs of the Navy, which were dictated by, among other things, Australia's geographic location.
The new submarines would be required to:
- travel great distances;
- operate in varying environments;
- have state-of the-art weapons systems; and
- perform traditional submarine functions using the most advanced technology available.
The submarines would also be required to protect Australia through their very existance, acting as a deterrent to enemy forces.
It was decided that large conventional submarines would be acquired. The Collins Class submarines are the second largest non-nuclear powered submarines in the world.
In 1987, we, as the newly formed Australian Submarine Corporation (now ASC Pty Ltd), began the task of designing and building the most sophisticated conventional submarine in the world.
We began construction of the first Collins Class submarine, HMAS Collins, in 1990 and delivered it to the RAN in 1996. The sixth and final boat, HMAS Rankin, was delivered to the RAN in 2003.
Print this page