OBERON CLASS SUBMARINES

By Darren Scannell

In the 1960's the United Kingdom developed and built the Oberon class submarines. At the time, they were state of the art conventional subs, despite being based on a late-WWII German hull design. They were originally fitted with two stern-facing 'short' torpedo tubes, but the advent of reliable guided torpedoes made these obsolete. The Oberon class boats provided an economical yet potent weapons system for over 30 years. The Oberons were extremely quiet and created a benchmark to which others aspired, often being undetectable in naval ASW exercises and scoring hits on the 'surface targets'.

Oberon-class submarines have been operated by several countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Chile and Brazil. Most have been decommissioned, but I believe there is still one in service with Chile. There are several examples of the class on display as museums in Britain and Australia and Canada is working on putting one on display as well.

In the RN, the policy of an all nuclear submarine fleet saw the Oberons and their successors, the Upholder class, phased out by the mid 90's. The Australian boats have had electronic and weapon systems updates since they were commissioned and are were fazed out as the Collins-class become operational.

In the early- to mid- 1980's, all three Canadian boats went through SOUP (Submarine Operational Update Program) refits, which updated various systems, including the sonar and the torpedoes carried. A fourth O-boat (OLYMPUS) was later purchased from the RN, to be used as a stationary training platform, and a fifth (HMS OSIRIS) was purchased and used for spare parts. The Canadian boats are now being replaced with the ex British Upholders.

Brazil and Chile's boats also had mid life systems updates. Both countries are purchasing the German 209 type design for their Navy's.

HMS Onyx was the only non-nuclear submarine to take part in the Falklands War. She carried 20 men from the SAS and the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) in addition to her full crew. She was so crowded that she was nick-named 'The Sardine's Revenge'.
 

Displacement: 2,030 tons surfaced / 2410 tons submerged
Dimensions: Length: 295 ft (89.92 m), Beam: 26.5 ft. (8.8 m), Draught: 18.25 ft. (5.48 m)
Propulsion: 2 3,680 hp Admiralty Standard Range V16 diesels, 2 3,000 hp electric motors, 2 shafts, 6000 shp
Crew: 68
Sonar: Type 187 Active-Passive,  Type 2007 passive
Armament: Six forward 21" tubes two rear 21" "short" tubes with 24 torpedoes.
Speed surfaced: 12 knots Speed dived : 17 knots