"Farncomb" was launched on 15 December 1995: as she was the first submarine to be completely constructed in Australia (two sections of "Collins" had been assembled in Sweden), the submarine wore a large Made In Australia logo on the fin. The submarine commenced sea trials in September 1996. Lessons learned from the trials of lead boat "Collins" benefitted "Farncomb", with training materials improved and the trials crew instructed to familiarise themselves with the submarine while she was being completed (the crew of "Collins" had the option to, but most personnel did not). The trial program was impacted on by problems with "Collins".