Australian Oberons
October 1959 - Decision to Re-Establish an Australian Submarine Force
Image provided by Royal Australian Navy
In October 1959, the Department of Defence Joint Planning Committee recommended the “introduction of a submarine service into the Royal Australian Navy”. There should be at least 8 submarines and their roles were primarily anti-(surface) shipping and anti-submarines.
“We have concluded, the R.A.A.F. member dissenting, that excluding program considerations and interservice priorities, the institution of a submarine service would be a valuable addition to balanced Australian Defence Forces.”
The first of four (later to be six) Oberon Class submarines arrived at their base in Sydney Harbour on 18 August 1967.