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SSK Collins Class (Type 471)
"The Collins Class (type 471) diesel-electric submarines have been designed by the Swedish shipbuilders Kockums for the Royal Australian Navy. Construction is being carried out by the Australian Submarine Corporation n Adelaide, South Australia, although the bow and escape tower sections of the first submarines were built in Sweden.

The first of class HMAS Collins (73) was commissioned in 1996. HMAS Farcomb (74) was commissioned in January 1998 and HMAS Waller (75) in July 1999, HMAS Dechaineaux (76) and HMAS Sheean (77) are due in 2000 and HMAS Rankin in 2001. The submarines are based at Cockburn Sound in Western Australia.

Upgrade Programme
The Australian Ministry of Defence has announced plans to upgrade two Collins Submarines, HMAS Dechaineaux and Sheean. This is to rectify shortcomings identified in a Government Report. The programme will include: upgrades to weapons systems, improvements to the sonar system, tactical data handling system, and weapons control system, upgrade and improvement of the combat system and operational fixes to reduce acoustic signature. Work is to be completed by December 2000. This will provide two operational Collins submarines when the final Oberon class submarines are retired in 2001."