Farncomb Completes First Collins Class Full Cycle Docking
(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Sept.6, 2004)
Defence Minister Robert Hill and Finance Minister Nick Minchin today congratulated the Australian Submarine Corporation on completion of the first Collins Class Full Cycle Docking (FCD) at Osborne in South Australia.
Senator Hill and Senator Minchin visited the Australian Submarine Corporation to inspect the Collins class submarine, HMAS Farncomb, following its return to operational service on completion of an extensive full cycle docking (FCD) refit.
HMAS Farncomb is the first submarine to complete a full cycle docking and will shortly proceed to sea for trials to test and calibrate refurbished equipment and systems.
The FCD is a major overhaul and refurbishment of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced machines in the Australian Defence Force inventory.
It has taken approximately two years at a cost of about $100 million. The work has included capability improvements to the submarine.
The work is an illustration of the technical capabilities and strength that has been built up within the ASC, which is now an important national strategic asset.
The Ministers also took the opportunity to inspect the adjacent site and master plans being promoted by the South Australian Government to provide a naval shipbuilding precinct in support of bids for the Howard Government’s plans for acquisition of the next generation of naval surface ships.
“Completion of the first full cycle docking by ASC is a major milestone – marking not only the maintenance of the Farncomb’s technical integrity but also a successful transition for ASC from submarine builder to submarine maintainer.
“It comes after the Howard Government delivered on its promise that ASC would perform all submarine full-cycle dockings at its Osborne facility in South Australia. The Commonwealth and ASC signed a contract last year worth up to $3.5 billion over 25 years to refit the Collins class submarines.”
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