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The ''Collins'' class of six Australian-built diesel-electric submarines is operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ''Collins'' class takes its name from Australian Vice Admiral John Augustine Collins; all six submarines are named after significant RAN personnel who distinguished themselves in action during . The boats were the first submarines to be constructed in Australia, prompting widespread improvements in Australian industry. Planning for a new design to replace the RAN's ''Oberon''-class submarines began in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Proposals were received from seven companies; two were selected for a funded study to determine the winning design, which was announced in mid-1987. The submarines, enlarged versions of Swedish shipbuilder Kockums' ''Västergötland'' class and originally referred to as the Type 471, were constructed between 1990 and 2003 in South Australia by the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC). The submarines have been the subject of incidents and technical problems since the design phase, including accusations of foul play and bias during the design selection, improper handling of design changes during construction, major capability deficiencies in the first submarines, and ongoing technical problems throughout the early life of the class. These problems have been compounded by the inability of the RAN to retain sufficient personnel to operate the submarines—by 2008, only three could be manned, and between 2009 and 2012, on average two or fewer were fully operational. The resulting negative press has led to a poor public perception of the ''Collins'' class. The ''Collins'' class is expected to remain in service until the 2020s. Planning for a replacement class of up to 12 vessels commenced in 2007. The new boats are predicted to enter service from 2025, and be active until the 2070s. ==Development and design== The proposal for a new type of submarine to replace the ''Oberon'' class of diesel-electric submarines began in July 1978, when the RAN director of submarine policy prepared a paper detailing the need to start considering a replacement for the ageing ''Oberon''s.〔Yule & Woolner, ''The Collins Class Submarine Story'', p. 26〕 The paper also raised the suggestion that the majority of the submarines be constructed in Australia and that the number of submarines be increased beyond the six ''Oberon''s.〔 Building the submarines in Australia was initially met with reactions predicting an impossible task because of the poor state of the Australian shipbuilding industry, and Australian industry in general, although campaigning by several figures in Australian industry who thought it could be done came to the attention of those spearheading the project to design the ''Oberon''-class replacement, and led to the view that it was both possible and feasible.〔Yule & Woolner, ''The Collins Class Submarine Story'', pp. 37–43〕 The campaign to build submarines in Australia was also met with support from the Australian Labor Party and several trade unions.〔Yule & Woolner, ''The Collins Class Submarine Story'', p. 44〕 The proposal was accepted by the defence operational requirements committee in August 1978, and the project was given the procurement designation of SEA 1114.〔 Approval for the development phase of the project was given in the 1981–82 federal budget.〔Woolner, ''Procuring Change'', p. 3〕 The RAN had four main requirements: that the submarines were tailored to operating conditions in the Australasian region, that they be equipped with a combat system advanced enough to promote a long service life, that appropriate and sustainable infrastructure be established in Australia to construct the boats, then provide maintenance and technical support for their operational lifespan, and that the submarines were capable of peacetime and emergency operations in addition to their hunter-killer role.〔Jones, in ''The Royal Australian Navy'', opp. p. 240〕 Ten submarines were envisioned, a number which was revised to between four and eight boats by the start of 1983, and later settled on the acquisition of six submarines, with the option to order two more.〔〔Jones, in ''The Royal Australian Navy'', p. 243〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Collins-class submarine」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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