The Royal Australian Navy’s Oberon-class submarines, affectionately known as the “O-boats,” were among the most advanced conventional submarines of their era, renowned for their quiet operation and reliability, six boats – HMAS Oxley (II), Otway, Ovens, Onslow, Orion, and Otama – entered service between 1967 and 1978, all built in Scotland and based at HMAS Platypus in Sydney. Designed for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, these submarines were equipped with advanced sonar, fire-control systems, and later upgrades that included the Mk 48 torpedo and Harpoon missile. Their stealth and endurance made them ideal for Cold War surveillance, intelligence gathering, and special forces operations, with Orion and Otama specifically fitted for signals intelligence missions.
The class was distinguished by its unique squadron insignia, the ‘Oberang’—a white “O” with a red boomerang—symbolising their Australian identity and esprit de corps. The Oberons served with distinction until the late 1990s, conducting risky patrols and exercises throughout the Indo-Pacific. Gradually replaced by the Collins-class, the Oberons left a legacy of professionalism and innovation, cementing their place in Australian naval history as quiet achievers and formidable “Oberang” warriors.
