HMAS Collins (S-73)

HMAS Collins (S-73)
Ship name	HMAS Collins (S-73)
Ship class	Collins-class submarine
Ship displacement	3,051 tonnes (surfaced), 3,407 tonnes (submerged)
Ship length	77.42 m
Ship beam	7.8 m
Ship draught	7 m
Ship propulsion	Diesel–electric
Ship speed	10 knots (surfaced), 20+ knots (submerged)
Ship complement	~58
Ship builder	Australian Submarine Corporation
Ship laid down	4 February 1990
Ship launched	28 August 1993
Ship commissioned	27 August 1996
Ship fate	Active service / subject to refits

HMAS Collins (S-73) is the lead boat of the Collins-class submarine series operated by the Royal Australian Navy. Built by the Australian Submarine Corporation at Whyalla, South Australia, Collins entered service in 1996 and has been central to Australia's submarine warfare capability, participating in regional exercises with partners such as United States Navy, Royal Navy, and Royal New Zealand Navy. The boat's design, development, and operational life intersect with programs including the Attack-class submarine (proposed), procurement debates in the Australian Parliament, and strategic partnerships under the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

Design and construction

Collins was designed following the cancellation of the Oberon-class submarine replacement program and selection of a large conventionally powered design influenced by Swedish designs such as those from Kockums. Construction was undertaken by the Australian Submarine Corporation (a consortium including Transfield Services and AMOG, among others) at the shipyard in Whyalla. The hull incorporated a single-hull, teardrop form with extensive internal compartmentation and shock-hardening requirements aligned with standards employed by Royal Australian Navy surface combatants. The program engaged equipment suppliers and naval architects with links to Department of Defence (Australia), Bureau of Industry and Security, and international naval engineering firms. Collins was laid down on 4 February 1990 and launched on 28 August 1993, with commissioning on 27 August 1996 into the Fleet Base-oriented structure of the RAN.

Propulsion and performance

Propulsion is a diesel–electric arrangement using multiple MTU Friedrichshafen-derived diesel generators paired with extensive battery arrays; electrical power distribution and motors were specified to provide silent running characteristics comparable to modern air-independent propulsion concepts seen in other navies such as Royal Netherlands Navy and German Navy. The submarine's hydrodynamic hull and propulsion train deliver submerged speeds exceeding 20 knots and endurance optimized for long Pacific and Indian Ocean deployments, matching operational patterns developed with United States Pacific Fleet and Australian Defence Force maritime strategy planners. Collins also underwent sea trials to validate acoustic signatures and endurance against standards used by NATO partner navies during interoperability exercises.

Armament and sensors

Armament consists primarily of six 533 mm torpedo tubes capable of firing heavyweight torpedoes such as the Mark 48 and candidate weapons evaluated in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and other defence contractors; the platform was also configured to deploy anti-ship missiles in cooperation with interoperability testing alongside Royal Navy units. The sensor suite integrates a combat management system with sonar arrays including spherical passive/search arrays, flank arrays, and towed arrays reflecting technologies found in submarines operated by United States Navy and Royal Canadian Navy. Electronic support measures and periscope/masts incorporate systems compatible with data links used by Australian Defence Force communication networks and intelligence-sharing arrangements with Five Eyes partners.

Operational history

After commissioning, Collins assumed primary duties in the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service, conducting operational patrols, training deployments, and multinational exercises such as RIMPAC and bilateral drills with United States Navy and Royal Navy. The submarine contributed to anti-submarine warfare proficiency for Australian surface units including HMAS Canberra-class ships and supported tactical development with the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Submarine Institute of Australia. Collins also featured in public and parliamentary discussions concerning sustainment, availability rates, and the wider strategic posture outlined in white papers such as the Defence White Paper (2000) and later reviews.

Incidents and refits

Throughout her service, Collins experienced technical and maintenance challenges characteristic of a new class introduction, prompting reviews involving the Australian National Audit Office and procurement oversight by the Parliament of Australia. Refit periods at facilities including Garden Island, New South Wales addressed mechanical issues, upgraded sonar and combat systems, and implemented safety improvements following incidents that drew scrutiny from defence analysts and media outlets such as The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald. Mid-life upgrades aligned Collins with lessons from international sustainment programs in the Royal Norwegian Navy and others, incorporating improved batteries, electronics, and habitability changes overseen by contractors including ASC Pty Ltd and partner suppliers.

Decommissioning and fate

As the lead boat of the class, Collins' eventual decommissioning schedule has been tied to broader Australian submarine procurement programs, replacement planning involving the proposed Attack-class submarine (2016 proposal) and later announcements concerning acquisition pathways with international partners such as Naval Group (France), BAE Systems, and potential options discussed with the United States. Until formal decommissioning, Collins has remained an operational asset undergoing periodic readiness cycles, maintenance periods, and upgrades to align with evolving regional commitments outlined in strategic documents such as the 2020 Defence Strategic Update. The long-term fate of Collins will reflect decisions by the Minister for Defence (Australia) and parliamentary oversight, balancing options including preservation, scrapping, or use as a training and museum element consistent with precedent from vessels like HMAS Onslow.

Category:Collins-class submarines Category:Royal Australian Navy ships Category:1993 ships