ARA Santísima Trinidad (1974)

The "ARA Santisima Trinidad" is a Type 42 destroyer, of the Armada Republica Argentina.

She was built at the Argentine AFNE shipyard and commissioned in 1980. Commissioning of the ship, whose construction began in 1973, was long delayed by a bomb attack carried out by the guerrilla organization Montoneros in 1975. "Santisima Trinidad"'s hull suffered severe damage and the ship's performance after entering service was greatly hampered as a result of the attack. The Argentine Navy upgraded the warship by enhancing her offensive capabilities with MM-38 "Exocet" missiles.

She was the leading ship of the Argentine landings on the Falklands, on 2 April 1982.

During the remainder of the Falklands War, along with her sister ship ARA "Hercules", she served as the main escort to the aircraft carrier ARA "Veinticinco de Mayo".

After the war the British weapons and supplies embargo on Argentina forced the Navy to try to sell both Type 42s to another country. When the attempts failed, the Navy decided to place "Santísima Trinidad" in reserve as a parts supplier for "Hércules". Her last Sea Dart missile launch was conducted in 1987, and "Santísima Trinidad"´s last voyage took place in 1989. She has not sailed since.

At present, the "Santisima Trinidad" is listed as "in reserve awaiting overhaul", however, it is expected that the Navy will formally decommission her. There are projects in the Argentine Congress calling for "Santisima Trinidad" to be converted into a museum ship.