HMAS Onslow

HMAS Onslow was the fourth of six Oberon Class submarines that formed the Royal Australian Navy’s 1st Australian Submarine Squadron in the late 1960s.

HMAS Onslow is in original ‘operational’ condition and shows how it was manned and operated throughout the time it served with the RAN, including the ability to maintain and service the submarine with complete refits carried out in Australia. It features typical submarine conditions when vessels had technology that required a large crew. The close quarters living and operating conditions are retained in their original condition.

HMAS Onslow has a diesel electric propulsion system. On the surface it could travel at 15 knots, submerged it was capable of 19 knots. It was an attack submarine and armed with six torpedo tubes at the bow along with sensitive surveillance equipment.

During the Cold War period HMAS Onslow and the others of the Oberon class maintained a strong defensive presence around Australia's coastline and operated out into the Indian and Pacific Oceans. One of its principle roles was surveillance, in particular monitoring the activities of Soviet vessels in the region. It also participated in exercises with other naval forces on many occasions.

The Oberon Class was one of the most advanced conventional (non-nuclear) submarines of its period and was amongst the quietest of any submarine type world-wide. It could go to sea for several months and stay underwater for more than six weeks at a time, periodically using the snort system to draw air in while running at periscope depth. As an attack vessel during joint exercises it successfully ‘sunk’ a number of well-defended ships including a US nuclear carrier, proving the RAN was highly skilled in the operation of these quiet and stealthy conventional submarines

HMAS Onslow and the Oberon Class represent the final stages of Australia developing an independent defence force, relinquishing its reliance on UK support and developing further its association with the USA that had begun in World War II, whilst also looking after Australia’s own interests in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and East Asian regions.

The Oberon class design and construction represent a highly refined version of the original submarine operating concept and the systems and armament also represent a period that spans the change from conventional torpedos as the primary weapon to include missiles and advanced torpedos.