Commissioned in on 31 January 1998, HMAS Farncomb is the second of the six Collins Class submarines to enter service in the Royal Australian Navy. Based at Fleet Base West in Western Australia, they are a formidable element in Australia's defence capability.

Since commissioning, HMAS Farncomb has successfully conducted a range of activities throughout the region in support of Australian Defence Force exercises, operations and the government's strategic directives.

Collins Class submarines are tailored specifically for their defence and two-ocean surveillance role in the Royal Australian Navy. The submarines, designed and built by the Swedish Navy, are as quiet as advanced technology can achieve.

One of the first submarines fully designed by computers, these vessels boast a vast range of features. They include a high performance hull form, highly automated controls, low indiscretion rates, high shock resistance and an efficient weapons handling and discharge system.

The submarine moves silently on electric power supplied by banks of new-technology batteries charged by three on-board diesel generator sets.

The sophisticated combat system is an advance on any system currently available. It gathers intelligence from sensors, computes the input, and launches and directs weapons.

Specifications

ClassCollins class
TypeGuided missile submarine, diesel-electric (SSG)
PennantS74
International callsignVMLF
MottoWith Skill and Resolve
Home portFleet Base West
BuilderAustralian Submarine Corp, Adelaide
Laid down1 March 1991
Launched15 December 1995
Launched byMrs Jean Farncomb (widow of Rear Admiral Harold Farncomb)
Commissioned31 January 1998
Displacement
  • surfaced: 3,100 tonnes
  • dived: 3,407 tonnes
Length77.8 metres
Beam7.8 metres
Draught7 metres
Speed
  • dived: 20 knots
  • surfaced: 10 knots
Range11,500 nautical miles
Crew48 plus trainees
Machinery
  • 3 Hedemora/Garden Island Type V18B/14 diesels
  • 3 Jeumont Schneider generators
  • 1 MacTaggart Scott DM 43006 hydraulic motor for emergency propulsion.
MissilesMcDonnell Douglas Sub Harpoon Block 1B (UGM 84C)
Torpedoes

6-21 in (533 mm) fwd tubes

Mines44 in lieu of torpedoes
Physical countermeasuresDecoys: 2 SSE.
Electronic countermeasuresES-3701U; intercept and warning.
RadarsKelvin Hughes Type 1007; I-band.
Sonars
  • Thomson Sintra Scylla active/passive bow array and passive flank, intercept and ranging arrays.
  • Thales SHORTAS retractable, passive.
Weapon control systemsAN-BYG 1. Link 11.
HMAS Farncomb badge

Function

Guided missile submarine