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Two Collins Class submarines have transited through Aussie peninsulas in concurrent port visits in Victoria.
The paired transit of the over 3,000-tonne vessels is a rarity, with Deputy Commander of Navy’s Submarine Force Captain Byron Williamson noting that this represents the agility and capability of the submarines in operating subtly with local agencies to ensure successful operations.
“Submarines are fundamentally less overt in their operations compared to warships visible on the surface, so to have a pair in Port Phillip is all the more an unusual sight,” Williamson said.
“For the submarine crews, these kinds of visits are thoroughly planned and deliberately and safely conducted.
“They work with port authorities to make use of civilian port facilities, including in busy ports like Melbourne and Geelong.”
Currently, Australia has a fleet of six Collins Class submarines, which are used in surveillance and intelligence gathering missions.
Its combat system is highly advanced, using intelligence gathered from sensors to direct and launch weapons, including torpedoes and missiles.
The vessels are primarily based in Western Australia at the HMAS Stirling naval base, where they conduct a range of logistics, recovery and respite operations in off training periods.
“These submarines have been undertaking training in the waters off Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, including during the Under Sea Warfare [USW] training activity ASWEX 26 [Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise],” CAPT Williamson added.
“They have provided multiple surface ships and aircraft with stealthy targets to hunt in simulated USW serials over a vast area for weeks, and now they will undertake logistics resupply and some respite before returning to sea.”
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