Evolution of the Collins Class Submarines
The First Submarines to be Built in Australia
Collins from the Beginning
February 1980
Initial Planning
Planning for the generation of submarines to succeed the Oberons started in the 1970s, and became very focused during 1980. Naval Staff Requirement 1114 was raised and the New Submarine Project Team stood up in early 1982.
May 1982
Invitation to Industry to Provide Submarines
Invitations were issued to companies across the World to show how they would build the new submarines. At this stage it was anticipated that the submarines might be built in an overseas country.
November 1983
7 Submarine Builders and 8 Combat System Suppliers selected
Seven submarine builders and eight combat system suppliers were selected for the final stage of the selection process.
May 1985
2 Submarine Builders and 2 Combat System Suppliers Selected to Compete for the Task
On Tuesday 21 May 1985, the Minister for Defence, the Hon Kim C. Beazley MP announced that two submarine builders and two combat system suppliers would compete to offer their solutions for Australia's new submarine force.
Kim Beazley also announced that the submarines would be built in Australia.
The two submarine builders were - Kockums of Sweden, and Ingeneur Kontor Lubeck (IKL), Howaldtsewerke Deutsche Werft (HDW) and Ferrosraal Group from Germany
The two combat system suppliers were - Rockwell International, Singer Librascope and Computer Sciences of Australia from USA and Australia, and Hollandse Signaalapparaten (HSA) from the Netherlands
May 1987
Contracts Awarded to Kockums and Rockwell International
On Monday 18 May, Kim Beazley announced that the contract to build the new Collins Class submarines had been awarded to Kockums (for their Type 471 design) and Rockwell International.
February 1990
Collins Laid Down
Construction of Collins was started at the Australian Submarine Corporation's facility at Osborne in South Australia.
July 1996
HMAS Collins Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Collins under the command of Commander Peter Sinclair RAN, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on Saturday 27 July.
July 1998
HMAS Farncomb Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Farncomb under the command of Lieutenant Commander Greg Sammutt RAN, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on Friday 31 July.
July 1999
HMAS Waller Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Waller under the command of Commander Mal Jones RAN, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on Saturday 10 July.
February 2001
HMAS Dechaineux Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Dechaineux under the command of Commander Steve Davies RAN, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on Friday 23 February.
February 2001
HMAS Sheean Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Sheean under the command of Lieutenant Commander Hordern Wiltshire RAN, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on Friday 23 February.
March 2003
HMAS Rankin Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Rankin under the command of Lieutenant Commander Doug THeobald RAN, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on Saturday 29 March..