Argentina no longer looking for survivors from missing sub

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina’s Navy said Thursday it is no longer looking for survivors among the 44 sailors aboard a submarine missing for 15 days, though a multinational operation will continue searching for the vessel.

Hopes of finding survivors had already dimmed because experts said the crew had only enough oxygen to last 7 to 10 days if the sub remained intact under the sea. The Navy also had said an explosion was detected near the time and place where the ARA San Juan made its last contact with shore Nov. 15.

The San Juan, a German-built diesel-electric TR-1700 class submarine, was commissioned in the 1980s and was most recently refitted in 2014.

Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said the rescue mission had “extended for more than twice what is estimated for a rescue.”

“We’ve had 28 ships, nine aircraft, 4,000 people involved, 18 countries supporting,” he told reporters. “Despite the magnitude of these efforts, we’ve been unable to find the submarine.”

Check out these stories on the multitude of technology used in the effort to find the submarine:

RELATED

Behind the hunt for a missing sub: sensors, underwater drones

The United States has deployed a NASA patrol plane equipped with advanced sensor technology and underwater drones from the U.S. Navy to help search for a missing Argentine submarine and its 44 member crew,

By Armin Haracic

Associated Press writer Almudena Calatrava in Buenos Aires and Julie Watson in San Diego contributed to this report.

More In Naval

From customer to sanctioned ‘proliferator,’ drones extend Iran’s reach

Iranian contractors and government officials have picked up on market demand, frequenting arms expos and other events in Russia, Iraq, Qatar and more.

Ukraine, allies scour the world for coveted air defense systems

The lack of air defenses could mark a turning point in Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion, Ukrainian officials have said.

US Army aims to complete multidomain task force structure by FY28

The service is planning to station its 5th Multidomain Task Force at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and will complete formation all five MDTF units by FY28.

AUKUS allies developing undersea capabilities they can field this year

The three AUKUS navies may see advanced undersea technology like small drones and AI-enabled target recognition tools tested and fielded this year.

US, UK issue sanctions on Iran over drone and missile attack on Israel

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted 16 people and two entities in Iran that produce engines that power drones used in the April 13 attack.