[Milsurplus] Missing Submarine

[Mike Morrow]

Hue wrote:

> I saw somewhere that this Argentine sub was built 1980. The Falklands
> War was '82, so maybe they were already thinking of a proximate use.

Contruction of the ARA San Juan (S-42) began in West Germany in March 1982.  The ten-week Falklands War started in April 1982.  The S-42 was not commissioned until November 1985, so now 32 years since commissioning it is very ancient for a diesel-electric submarine.  My old boat was ballistic missile submarine USS Daniel Boone, SSBN-629.  Even a sophisticated and well-maintained boat like that was two years younger when decommisioned than S-42.

I suspect it's been a loss with all hands since 15 November.  The navy authorities will need to evaluate carefully the fitness of its only sister ship ARA Santa Cruz to remain in service.

Mike / KK5F