ARA San Juan (S-42)

History

Lacking shipbuilding technology and expertise in building advanced attack submarines, the Argentine Navy turned to Emden, Germany-based boat builder Thyssen Nordseewerke for the task. The result was the TR-1700 class, of which six ships were originally planned. However, only two were eventually completed and construction on the remaining four was suspended. The two ships that dropped out of the program were the ARA Santa Cruz (S-41) and sister ship ARA San Juan (S-42).

The vessels were commissioned in October 1984 and November 1985, and today (2017) both remain active in the Argentine fleet.

ARA San Juan was completed on June 28, 1983 and opened on November 19, 1985. The ship displaces 2,140 tons when surfaced and 2,336 tons when underwater. It has a length of 216.3 feet, a beam of 27.4 feet, and a draft of 24.1 feet. Propulsion power comes from a diesel-electric arrangement centred on four German MTU marine diesel engines and a Siemens electric motor, driving the single-axle stern.

The boat can travel at 15 knots when surfaced and 25 knots underwater. The diesel-electric arrangement allows the diesel generator set to propel the boat when it is surfaced, while the electric motor provides the required power when the boat is submerged. The range is up to 12,000 nautical miles.

The ship can stay out of port for up to 30 days.

37 standard operating staff on board, but can be increased if required. The vessel carries the Thompson CSF "Calypso" radar system and Atlas Electronics CSU 3/4 sonar units. The armament consists of 6 x 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes, with the launchers all mounted on the bow of the design.

Carry 22 reloads.

The ARA San Juan has lived a quiet life since commissioning in the mid-1980s. She had a major overhaul between 2008 and 2013, replacing and upgrading her engine as well as her battery pack. Modernization took longer than expected due to budget constraints, and work was carried out in Argentina, including the complete dismantling of the hull to access the engines.

After the work was over, the boat was put back into service with the main task of patrolling known illegal fishing areas.

Specification

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