阿根廷海军TR-1700型潜艇

The TR-1700 (Santa Cruz) is a class of diesel-electric patrol submarines built by Thyssen Nordseewerke for the Argentine Navy in the 1980s. These ships are the largest submarines built in Germany since World War II and are among the fastest diesel-electric submarines in the world

The original 1977 plan called for six ships, two TR-1700’s built in Germany by Thyssen Nordseewerke, two in Argentina by Astillero Domecq Garcia, and two smaller TR-1400’s also built in Argentina.[2] The final agreement in 1982 was modified to six TR 1700’s

The submarine was designed by Thyssen and its features include high underwater speed, endurance, and survivability. The ships four MTU diesel engines, four generators, and Siemens electric motor can propel it for speeds up to 25 knots.[3] Eight 120 cell batteries are installed on the ships. They have a diving depth of 300 m. Normal endurance of these ships is 30 days with an extended range up to 70 days. These ships are equipped to accept a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). Armaments include six bow 533-mm torpedo tubes and 22 SST (Special Surface Target) or Mark 37 torpedo. The automatic torpedo reload system can reload the tubes in 50 seconds

The first two submarines were delivered on schedule in 1984-85. The remaining four built in Argentina were suspended due to the Argentinean economic crisis of the 1980s. In 1996 work completely ceased on ARA Santa Fe at 52 percent completion while ARA Santiago Del Estero was only 30 percent complete.[4] After attempts to complete and sell the ships to other countries (Taiwan) failed they were cannibalized, along with the parts for the fifth and sixth units, to support the continued operations of the first two submarines.[1]

Santa Cruz received it mid-life modernization at Arsenal de Marinha, Rio de Janeiro Brazil between September 1999 and 2001.[2] The work involved the replacement of the engines, batteries, and sonar. Her sister ship San Juan entered Astillero Domecq Garcia shipyard to receive her refit in 2007 and will receive similar work

General characteristics

Displacement: 2116 tonnes (Surfaced)

2264 tonnes (Submerged)

Length: 66 m

Beam: 7.3 m

Draught: 6.5 m

Propulsion: 1 shaft 4 × MTU diesels

1 × Siemens electric motor

Speed: 15 Knots Surfaced

25 knots Submerged

Range: 12000 nm at 8 knots surfaced

Endurance: 30 days

Complement: 26

Sensors and

processing systems: radar Thompson CSF Calypso

Sonar Atlas Elektronik CSU 3/4, Thompson Sintra DUUX-5

Armament: 6× 533mm Tubes bow

22 torpedoes