ARA San Martín was one of four Giuseppe Garibaldi-class armored cruisers purchased by the Argentine Navy from Italy.

[1] The engines were designed for a maximum output of 13,500 indicated horsepower (10,100 kW) and a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

[3] Her main armament consisted of four 45-caliber Armstrong Whitworth 8-inch (203 mm) guns, in twin-gun turrets fore and aft of the superstructure.

The ten 40-caliber quick-firing (QF) 6-inch (152 mm) guns that comprised her secondary armament were arranged in casemates amidships on the main deck.

Between the main gun barbettes it covered the entire side of the ship up to the level of the upper deck.