The submarine, built by Scottish company Scott Lithgow, was laid down on 17 January 1971, and launched on 21 December 1972.

[1] The planned July 1974 completion was delayed by the need to redo internal cabling.

[2] The submarine was named after John Thomond O'Brien, who fought in the Chilean War of Independence.

O'Brien and sister boat Hyatt were replaced by the Thomson-class submarines.

She is now permanently docked in the Chilean city of Valdivia where she is open to visitors as a museum ship.