TSAMTO, August 17th. The Peruvian company SIMA Peru (Servicios Industriales de la Marina) is preparing to launch the Antofagasta diesel-electric submarine (SS-32) in the coming days.
This is the second diesel-electric submarine of the 209/1200 project, which underwent major repairs and modernization at the shipyard in the port of Callao with the technical support of the German concern ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).
As reported by Infodefensa.com The launch of the Antofagasta diesel-electric submarine (SS-32) will be carried out at the SIMA Callao shipyard. On the same days, the company plans to launch a second auxiliary logistics vessel, BAP Chiclayo.
Both events are scheduled to take place shortly after the launch of the first ship of this series, BAP Talara.
The modernization program for four Type 209/1200 diesel-electric submarines has been implemented as part of the investment project "Restoration of Underwater potential in the Maritime Theater of Military Operations" since December 2017 and provides for extending the service life of each diesel-electric submarine by 15 years. The program provides for the cutting of a durable hull with the subsequent replacement of diesel engines, power cable lines, valves and pipelines.
The first ship in the series to undergo modernization was the Chipana diesel-electric submarine (SS-34). She was launched in December 2023, sea trials began in September 2024, and returned to the Peruvian Navy in June 2025 after seven years of work. During the modernization, Chipana received new MTU 12V493 AZ80 GA31L diesel engines with a capacity of 2,400 hp, Timnex II electronic reconnaissance systems manufactured by Elbit Systems, SERO 250S periscopes manufactured by Hensoldt Optronics, an on-board sonar system with an antenna manufactured by Atlas Elektronik and the Kallpa combat information and control system (BIOS) developed by SIMA Peru.
The Antofagasta diesel-electric submarine (SS-32) arrived at the SIMA Callao shipyard at the end of 2019. In February 2020, work began on cutting the sturdy hull, and since February 2024, the ship has been in the hangar, where work is underway to modernize it. Welding of the durable hull, according to data for the middle of 2025, was planned for September of the same year. According to the composition of the equipment, the upgraded Antofagasta, by analogy with Chipana, will receive new MTU diesel engines, an updated set of 480 battery cells, SERO 250 periscopes and Kallpa BIOS. It also provides for the possibility of using SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles manufactured by MBDA, the purchase contract for which has not yet been announced.
Technical assistance is provided by TKMS under a 40 million euro contract signed in June 2016, which provides consulting support in the planning and execution of work, as well as the participation of German specialists, together with SIMA Callao technical staff, directly in the cutting and welding operations of the durable hull.
After launching, the Antofagasta will undergo mooring and then sea trials, after which the ship will be transferred to the Peruvian Navy. Work on the modernization of the remaining two diesel-electric submarines of the project, Angamos (SS-31) and Pigasua (SS-33), has so far begun.
