CANBERRA, Australia, April 4 (UPI) -- Australia believes it now has the best conventional submarine in service anywhere in the world thanks to U.S. military assistance.
The Australian reported the submarine HMAS Waller has been refitted with combat systems used by U.S. Navy nuclear attack submarines, as well as with new propellers, hull modifications, improved communications equipment and updated torpedoes.
"I am extremely confident of the new combat system and the new weapon. The Collins class will be an exceptional, and in my personal opinion, is the best conventional submarine in the world," said Commodore Rick Sanders, head of Australia's submarine service.
Australia has six Collins class submarines. The Waller was the first to complete refitting.
Prime Minister John Howard, the newspaper reported, said the quick refitting process was made possible by "unprecedented" access to U.S. technology.
Despite submarine upgrades, Australia's silent service is still plagued with a major problem: a shortage of trained personnel.
The shortage has caused the submarine force to curtail planned days at sea from an average of 88 days per available submarine last year to 113 this year.
