The Submarine Force
With the arrival of the first submarines in the early 1930´s, the Armada Argentina begun to develop capabilities of submarine warfare. Most of its ships had been of American origin, but current inventory is three German boats. Although this may seem reduced, the skill of the crews greatly compensate for this numerical disadvantage. One of the subs (A.R.A. Santa Fe / S-32 ; Guppy Class ) was one of the first ships to be attacked in the British counterattack during the South Atlantic War. It eventually sank when towed in the Atlantic Ocean in order to be displayed as a war trophy. The current subs have been engaged in numerous peacetime operations, from sea control to joint exercises with the US, Brazilian and other Navies. The Force also has its special forces: the Agrupación de buzos Tácticos.
A.R.A "SALTA" (IKL 209/1200) CLASS SUBMARINES
The A.R.A. Salta (S-31) is the lone survivor of the two ship-strong class of Salta Submarines (IKL-209/1200; German Built). Her sister A. R. A. San Luis (S-32)started a major overhaul in 1991, but it was eventually deleted and it is to be scrapped. Her main weapons are SST-4 Wire Guided Torpedoes
A.R.A. SAN JUAN (S-42)
Originally the first two units of a six-strong class (TR-1700), the A.R.A. Santa Cruz (S-41) and A.R.A. San Juan (S-42) are the mainstay of the submarine force. With greater capabilities than the Salta Class, this boats have had a remarkable operating standard since their incorporation in the mid 1980´s. Their weapons are the SST-4 Wire Guided Torpedoes and bottom laying mines (although some potential missilistic capability is suspected)
The Agrupación de Buzos Tácticos (Tactical Divers Group)
The Agrupación de Buzos Tácticos is an elite cadre of Divers, not unlike the Navy SEALS. Currently assigned to the Submarine Force, their main tasks are covert ops., infiltration and sabotage. All of its personnel is airborne and scuba qualified.