List of ships of the Argentine Navy

This list includes all major warships that entered service with the Argentine Navy since being formally established in the 1860s.[n 1] It also includes ships that were purchased by Argentina but did not enter service under Argentine flag. The list does not include vessels prior to the 1860s; and it also excludes auxiliary ships (tugs, transports, colliers, tankers, scientific vessels, etc.) which are listed separately.

ARA Veinticinco de Mayo aircraft carrier

In addition, there is a separate list of ships currently in service with the Argentine Navy, regardless the type.

The list is organized by type of ship, by class within each type, and by entry date within each class. Service entry dates indicate the ship's commissioning into the Argentine Navy, and not the ship's entry in service with another navy unless specifically said.

Naming tradition edit

The current norms establish naming conventions for Argentine Navy ships according to their type, some of them specific to warships are summarized below.[1]

Destroyers, Frigates, Corvettes
Naval heroes, or names of significantly historic ships.
Submarines
Province names, with priority those starting with S.
Mine warfare ships
Province names, not used by Submarines.
Amphibious warfare ships
Coastal geographic features.
Fast attack ships
Adjectives symbolizing qualities of combat ships.

List of ships edit

Aircraft carriers edit

Colossus class (British-built)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA IndependenciaV-1 194419591970ex-HMS Warrior, ex-HMCS WarriorScrapped 1971
ARA Veinticinco de MayoV-2 194319691999ex-HNLMS Karel Doorman, formerly HMS VenerableScrapped 1999

Battleships edit

Almirante Brown ironclad (British-built)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA Almirante Brownnone 188018811932noneScrapped

Libertad-class coastal battleships (British-built)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA Libertadnone 189218921946noneTo coast guard 1947
ARA Independencianone 189118931946noneTo coast guard 1949

Rivadavia-class dreadnoughts (US-built)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA Rivadavianone 191119151957noneSold for scrap 1957
ARA Morenonone 191119151957noneSold for scrap 1957

Monitors edit

El Plata class (British-built)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA El Platanone 187418751930noneScrapped
ARA Los Andesnone 187418751930noneScrapped

Cruisers edit

Patagonia protected cruiser (Austro-Hungarian-built)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA Patagonianone 188618861925noneScrapped

Protected Elswick cruisers (British-built)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA Veinticinco de Mayonone 189018911916Ordered as Necochea, renamed before completionScrapped 1927
ARA Nueve de Julionone 189218931930noneScrapped
ARA Buenos Airesnone 189518961932noneSold for scrap 1935

Patria torpedo cruiser (British-built)

Ship NamePennant NumberPictureLaunchedService EntryDecomm.Other NamesFate
ARA Patrianone 189318941927none

Giuseppe Garibaldi-class armoured cruisers (Italian-built)

Ordered from Italian shipyards. Two ships, Rivadavia and Mariano Moreno, were sold to Japan prior to completion as per naval disarmament agreements with Chile.

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA Garibaldinone 189518961934Sold for scrap 1937
ARA San Martínnone 189518981935Scrapped 1947
ARA General Belgranonone 189718981933To coast guard 1933, stricken 1947, sold for scrap 1953
ARA Pueyrredónnone 189718981954Sold for scrap 1957
ARA Rivadavianone 1902Sold before completion to Japan, no service.
(1903−1942 in Japan)
Ordered as Mitre, later renamed. Japanese name KasugaSunk 1945, salvaged and broken up for scrap 1948
ARA Mariano Morenonone 1903Sold before completion to Japan, no service.
(1903−1935 in Japan)
Ordered as Roca, later renamed. Japanese name NisshinSunk as target 1936, raised and sunk as target again 1942

Almirante Brown-class heavy cruisers (Italian-built)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA Almirante BrownC-1 192919311961noneSold for scrap 1962
ARA Veinticinco de MayoC-2 192919311961noneScrapped 1960

La Argentina light cruiser (British-built)

ARA La Argentina was a light cruiser, designed for training naval cadets.

Ship namePennant nPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA La ArgentinaC-3 193719391972noneScrapped 1974

General Belgrano class (US Brooklyn class)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther NamesFate
ARA General BelgranoC-4 193819511982†ARA Diecisiete de Octubre till 1956, ex-USS PhoenixSunk by British submarine HMS Conqueror during the Falklands War
ARA Nueve de JulioC-5 193619511977ex-USS BoiseScrapped 1983

Torpedo boats edit

Maipu-class torpedo ram (British-built)

Bathurst class (British-built; Yarrow 1890 type - Mod GB TB 79 type)[2]

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioned
ARA Bathurstnonenone18901927
ARA Buchardononenone18901927
ARA Jorgenonenone18901926
ARA Kingnonenone18901926
ARA Pinedononenone18901926
ARA Thornenonenone18901926

Espora class (British-built)

1st class Thornycroft class (British-built)

2nd class Thornycroft class (British-built)

2nd class Yarrow class (British-built)

Riverine Yarrow class (British-built)

Destroyers edit

Corrientes class (British-built)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioned
ARA Corrientesnonenone18971930
ARA Misionesnonenone18971930
ARA Entre Riosnonenone18961930
ARA Santa Fenonenone18961897 [n 2]

Catamarca class (German-built)

Ship NamePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioned
ARA Catamarcanonenone19121957
ARA Jujuynonenone19121957

La Plata class (German-built)

Ship NamePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioned
ARA Córdobanonenone19121957
ARA La Platanonenone19121957

Eight other destroyers were ordered around this time but never entered service with the Argentine Navy. See Aetos-class destroyer (Greece) and Aventurier-class destroyer (France).

Cervantes class (Spanish-built)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioned
ARA CervantesD-1ex-Alcalá Galiano19281961
ARA Juan de GarayD-2ex-Churruca19281960

Ordered by the Spanish Navy and sold to Argentina prior to completion.

Mendoza class (British-built)

Ship NamePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioned
ARA MendozaD-3none19291961
ARA La RiojaD-4none19291962
ARA TucumanD-5none19291962

Buenos Aires class (British-built)

Ship NamePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioned
ARA Buenos AiresT-6 / D-6none19381971
ARA Entre RiosT-7 / D-7none19381971
ARA CorrientesT-8none19381941 [n 3]
ARA San JuanT-9 / D-9none19381971
ARA San LuisT-10 / D-10none19381970
ARA MisionesT-11 / D-11none19381970
ARA Santa CruzT-12 / D-12none19391972

Brown/Almirante Domecq García class (leased US Fletcher class)

Ship NamePennant NumberPictureLaunchedService EntryDecomm.Other NamesFate
ARA BrownD-20 194219611979ex-USS HeermannScrapped 1982
ARA EsporaD-21 194319611979ex-USS DortchScrapped 1979
ARA RosalesD-22 194319611981ex-USS StembelScrapped 1981
ARA Almirante Domecq GarciaD-23194319711982ex-USS BraineSunk in live fire missile test 1983
ARA Almirante StorniD-24194319711981ex-USS CowellScrapped 1982

Seguí class (modified US Allen M. Sumner class)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA SeguíD-25194419721983ex-USS HankScrapped 1983
ARA BouchardD-26194419721984ex-USS BorieScrapped 1984
ARA Piedra Buena [n 4]D-29 194419771985ex-USS CollettSunk by missile in naval exercise 1988

Py class (modified US Gearing class)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA PyD-27 194419731984ex-USS PerkinsSunk as target 1987

Hércules class (British Type 42 destroyers)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA HérculesD-28, D-1, now B-52 19721976noneSince 1999 transformed into a multi-purpose transport ship; inactive as of 2020
ARA Santísima TrinidadD-219741981noneFormally in reserve since 2004. Sunk 2013, salvaged 2015, awaiting possible conversion to museum ship

Almirante Brown class (German MEKO 360H2 type)

Ship namePennant numberPictureLaunchedService entryDecommissionedOther namesFate
ARA Almirante BrownD-10 19811983noneIn active service
ARA La ArgentinaD-11 19811983noneIn active service
ARA HeroínaD-12 19821983noneInactive
ARA SarandíD-13 19821984noneIn active service

Frigates and corvettes edit

Murature class (Locally designed and built)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA MuratureP-20none19462014 [3]
ARA KingP-21none1946in service [n 5][4]

Hércules class (River/Tacoma-class World War II frigates)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA HérculesP-31ex-USS Asheville,
ex-HMS Adur
18 February 19481961, transferred[n 6]
sold 1969
ARA HeroínaP-32ex-USS Reading8 February 1947sold 5 August 1964
ARA SarandíP-33ex-USS Uniontown,
ex- USSChattanooga
18 February 1948sold 29 June 1967
ARA Santísima TrinidadP-34ex-HMS Caicos,
ex-USS Hannam
19481963, converted[n 7]
sold 1970 or 1971

República class (Flower class)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA RepúblicaP-10ex-HMS Smilax19481961

Azopardo class (Locally designed and built)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA AzopardoP-35none19571972
ARA Piedra Buena[n 8]P-36none19571973

Drummond class (French D'Estienne d'Orves class)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA DrummondP-31ex-SAS Good Hope1978[n 9]In reserve
ARA GuerricoP-32ex-SAS Transvaal1978[n 10]In reserve
ARA GranvilleP-33none1981active

Espora class (German MEKO 140A16 type, locally built)

Ship NamePennant NumberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA EsporaP-41none1985active
ARA RosalesP-42none1986Inactive
ARA SpiroP-43none1988active
ARA ParkerP-44none1990active
ARA RobinsonP-45none2000[n 11]active
ARA Gómez RocaP-46none2004[n 12]active

Patrol, torpedo and fast attack craft edit

Zurubí class (Argentine-built)[5]

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA ZurubíP-55P-361939active [n 13][6]

Intrépida class (German-built) - known as "fast craft" ((in Spanish) lánchas rápidas)[7]

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA IntrépidaP-85none1974active[n 14]
ARA IndómitaP-86none1974active[n 15]

Baradero class (Israeli-built Dabur class) [8]

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA BaraderoP-61none1978active
ARA BarranquerasP-62none1978active
ARA ClorindaP-63none1978active
ARA Concepción del UruguayP-64none1978active

Punta Mogotes class (US-built Point class)[9]

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Punta MogotesP-65ex-Point Hobart (WPB-82377)1999active
ARA Río SantiagoP-66ex-Point Carrew (WPB-82374)2000active

Gunboats edit

Paraná class (British-built) - also classified as "corvettes"

Ship NamePennant NumberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Paranánonenone18751921 [n 16]
ARA Uruguaynonenone1875active [n 17]


Constitución class (British-built) - locally classified as "bombarderas", they were of the Rendel gunboat type.[10]

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Constituciónnonenone18751955
ARA Repúblicanonenone18751955

Bermejo class (British-built) - locally classified as "bombarderas",[n 18] they were of the Rendel gunboat type.[11]

Ship NamePennant NumberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Bermejononenone18751932
ARA Pilcomayononenone18751935

Rosario class (British-built) - armoured river gunboats

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Rosariononenone19091959
ARA Paranánonenone19091959

Amphibious warfare edit

Cabo San Bartolome class (ex-United States Landing Ship, Tank)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Cabo San BartolomeBDT-1 / Q-41USS LST-85119481968
ARA Cabo San DiegoBDT-2USS LST-995 / Don Nicolas19481966
ARA Cabo San Francisco de PaulaBDT-3USS LST-998 / Don Ernesto19481968
ARA Cabo San GonzaloBDT-4 / Q-44USS LST-872 / Doña Micaela19481979

Cabo San Antonio class (Locally-built De Soto County)

Ship NamePennant NumberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Cabo San AntonioQ-42none19771997

Cándido de Lasala class (ex-United States)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Cándido de LasalaQ-43ex-USS Gunston Hall19701981

Mine warfare edit

Bathurst class (German-built M1915 and M1916 classes) [12]

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA BathurstM-1ex-German M-4819221960s
ARA FournierM-2ex-German M-5119221960s
ARA JorgeM-3ex-German M-5219221960s
ARA KingM-4ex-German M-5319221960s
ARA MuratureM-5ex-German M-7419221960s
ARA PinedoM-6ex-German M-7519221960s
ARA PyM-7ex-German Margot19221960s
ARA SeguiM-8ex-German M-9019221960s
ARA ThorneM-9ex-German M-10119221960s
ARA GolondrinaM-10ex-German M-10519221960s

Neuquén class (British-built Ton class)[13][n 19]

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA NeuquénM-1ex-British Hickleton (M1131)19681996
ARA Río NegroM-2ex-British Tariton (M1186)19681977
ARA ChubutM-3ex-British Santon (M1178)19681995
ARA Tierra del FuegoM-4ex-British Bevington (M1108)19681995
ARA ChacoM-5ex-British Rennington (M1176)19692003
ARA FormosaM-6ex-British Ilmington (M1148)19682003

Bouchard class (Argentine-built minesweepers/minelayers) [14][n 20]

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA BouchardM-7Nanawa (Paraguayan Navy)19371964[n 21]
ARA DrummondM-2none19371964
ARA GranvilleM-4none19371967
ARA ParkerM-11none19371963
ARA SpiroM-13none19381962[n 22]
ARA RobinsonM-3none19391967
ARA SeaverM-12Capitán Meza (Paraguayan Navy)19391968[n 23]
ARA PyM-10Teniente Fariña (Paraguayan Navy)19391968[n 24]
ARA FournierM-5none19401949[n 25]

Submarines edit

By tradition, Argentine submarines bear the names of provinces whose names begin with the letter "S", thus, the pool of names is limited to only six ("Santa Fe", "Salta", "Santiago del Estero", "San Luis", "San Juan" and "Santa Cruz") resulting in repeated class and ship names.

Santa Fe (1) class (Italian-built Tarantinos)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Santa FeS-1none19331956
ARA SaltaS-2none19331960
ARA Santiago del EsteroS-3none19331959

Santa Fe (2) class (US-built Balao class)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Santa FeS-11ex-USS Macabi19601972
ARA Santiago del EsteroS-12ex-USS Lamprey19601971

Santa Fe (3) class (US-built Guppy class)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Santa FeS-21ex-USS Catfish19721982 [n 26]
ARA Santiago del EsteroS-22ex-USS Chivo19711981

Salta class (German-built Type 209)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA SaltaS-31none1974Inactive [n 27]
ARA San LuisS-32none19741997 [n 28]

Santa Cruz class (German-built TR-1700 type)

Six of these ships were planned by the Navy. Only the first two, built in Germany, were actually completed. The other four, to be built in Argentina, were never completed due to budgetary concerns.

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Santa CruzS-41none1984Inactive[n 29]
ARA San JuanS-42none1985Lost 2017
ARA Santa FeS-43nonenever completednever completed
ARA Santiago del EsteroS-44nonenever completednever completed
-no name-S-45nonenever completednever completed
-no name-S-46nonenever completednever completed

Sailing warships edit

La Argentina class (Austria-Hungary-built) formally classified as a sailing corvette

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA La Argentinanonenone18841900

Presidente Sarmiento class (British-built)

Ship namePennant numberOther namesService entryDecommissioning
ARA Presidente Sarmientononenone1898active[n 30]

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ In 1861 the modern Argentine Republic was born, after the Battle of Pavón.
  2. ^ Sunk in shipwreck during patrol in the River Plate off Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.
  3. ^ Sunk after collision with the heavy cruiser ARA Almirante Brown during fleet exercises off Mar del Plata.
  4. ^ Named alternatively Piedrabuena in some sources.
  5. ^ As of November 2015, ARA King is being overhauled.
  6. ^ Transferred to Prefectura Naval Argentina (Argentine Coast Guard) and renamed PNA Juan Bautista Azopardo
  7. ^ Converted to a survey vessel and renamed ARA Comodoro Lasserre.
  8. ^ Named alternatively Piedrabuena in some sources.
  9. ^ Originally being built for the South African Navy before UN sanctions were applied to South Africa; was acquired prior to completion.
  10. ^ Originally being built for the South African Navy before UN sanctions were applied to South Africa; was acquired prior to completion.
  11. ^ Construction was halted due to budgetary issues, then resumed in 1997.
  12. ^ Construction was halted due to budgetary issues, then resumed in 1997.
  13. ^ Transferred in 1944 to the Navy as a patrol boat with pennant number P-36. Decommissioned in 1985, refurbished and re-commissioned in 1993. As of February 2016 is in service based at Ushuaia.
  14. ^ A 40mm gun mount was replaced by MM38 Exocet launcher in 1998.
  15. ^ At shipyard awaiting overhaul as of late 2014.
  16. ^ Converted to a transport and renamed ARA Piedra Buena. Sunk during a storm.
  17. ^ Currently a museum ship docked at Buenos Aires; nominally in commission in the Argentine Navy and declared a National Historical Monument.
  18. ^ "Histarmar" list this class as Pilcomayo rather than Bermejo.
  19. ^ The service entry date shown in this article is the one listed in the individual ships history, while the page cited shows an earlier date.
  20. ^ The Bouchard class ships were classified as mine Trackers ((in Spanish) Rastreadores) by the Argentine Navy.
  21. ^ Sold to Paraguay, renamed Nanawa.
  22. ^ Transferred to the Argentine Coast Guard.
  23. ^ Sold to Paraguay, renamed Capitán Meza.
  24. ^ Sold to Paraguay, renamed Teniente Fariña.
  25. ^ Sunk in the surroundings of Cono Point (Tierra del Fuego) with all hands.
  26. ^ Sunk during the Falklands War.
  27. ^ Incapable of navigation; used for dockside training as of 2020.
  28. ^ Stricken from the fleet list after incomplete overhaul.
  29. ^ Refit cancelled as of 2020.
  30. ^ Used as a training vessel until 1930s, and retired from all training duties in 1961, is currently moored at Buenos Aires as a museum ship.

See also edit

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Historia - Tradiciones - Nombres de buques Archived 2017-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Armada Argentina, sitio oficial (in Spanish) Official website of the Argentine Navy (accessed 2015-12-19)
  2. ^ Gardiner, Robert and Randal Grey: Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906 - 1921 London: Conway's Maritime Press Ltd, 1985
  3. ^ El patrullero "Murature" cumple un ciclo de vida Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Gaceta Marinera (in Spanish)(accessed 2015-01-16)
  4. ^ El jefe de la Armada visitó el patrullero ARA “King” Archived 2015-12-24 at the Wayback Machine Gaceta Marinera, 25-11-2015 (in Spanish)(accessed 2015-12-24)
  5. ^ "Lancha Patrullera Clase "Zurubí" (Armada Argentina - Poder Naval - Flota de Mar - Unidades)". Argentine Navy official website (in Spanish). Argentine Navy. Archived from the original on 2011-06-21. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  6. ^ "P-36 SURUBÍ/ZURUBI (Buques Históricos - Histarmar)" (in Spanish). Fundacion Histarmar. Archived from the original on 2016-03-28. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  7. ^ "Lanchas Rápidas Clase "INTRÉPIDA"". Argentine Navy official website (in Spanish). Argentine Navy. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Lanchas Rápidas Clase "BARADERO"". Argentine Navy official website. Argentine Navy. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Lanchas Patrulleras Clase Way Point" [Way Point class Patrol Boats]. Histarmar - Historia y Arqueología Marítima (in Spanish). Fundación Histarmar. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  10. ^ Osvaldo, Sídoli (2009). "LOS CAÑONEROS RENDELL - ARGENTINA". Historia y Arqueologia Marítima (Histarmar) (in Spanish). Carlos Mey. Retrieved 2014-09-13.
  11. ^ Osvaldo, Sídoli (2009). "LOS CAÑONEROS RENDELL - ARGENTINA". Historia y Arqueologia Marítima (Histarmar) (in Spanish). Carlos Mey. Retrieved 2014-09-13.
  12. ^ "Los Barreminas Alemanes de 1922" [German 1922 Minesweepers]. Historia y Arqueologia Marítima (Histarmar) (in Spanish). Buenos Aires, Argentina: Fundación Histarmar. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  13. ^ "Cazaminas, Barreminas 1900/2000" [Minehunters, Minesweepers 1900/2000]. Historia y Arqueologia Marítima (Histarmar) (in Spanish). Buenos Aires, Argentina: Fundación Histarmar. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  14. ^ "Rastreadores" [Trackers]. Historia y Arqueologia Marítima (Histarmar) (in Spanish). Buenos Aires, Argentina: Fundación Histarmar. Retrieved 2016-01-21.

Bibliography edit

Further reading edit

External links edit

  • "Buques de la Armada Argentina 1900-2013" [(List of ) Ships of the Argentine Navy 1900-2013]. Historia y Arqueologia Marítima (Histarmar) (in Spanish). Fundación Histarmar - Carlos Mey. Retrieved 2014-09-14.