HMAS Farncomb suffers on-board electrical fire
HMAS Farncomb suffered an electrical fire recently whilst on patrol. She is one of six Collins Class submarines operated by Australia and the electrical fire occurred in its 25th year of service.
Fortunately, the skilled crew of HMAS Farncomb successfully extinguished the fire, and there were no reported injuries.
Specific details about the incident, including the submarine’s location and repairs, remain undisclosed due to the inherent secrecy surrounding these submarines.
The Australian Defence Department confirmed the electrical fire onboard a Collins Class submarine but did not provide further information. Fires on submarines are particularly hazardous due to the risk of toxic fume release, necessitating swift control.
HMAS Farncomb is set to undergo a life extension program (LOTE) in 2026, involving hull replacement and engine upgrades.
While the Collins-class submarines are aging, they may continue in operation as Australia anticipates the arrival of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership. Concerns have been raised about the increasing risk of incidents as these submarines age. In the past, there have been reports about maintenance issues and extended stays in locations such as Hawaii and Surabaya for HMAS Farncomb.
Source: ABC News
