Archimede was the lead ship of her class of four submarines built for the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) during the early 1930s.

They had an operational diving depth of 90 meters (300 ft)[1] Their crew numbered 55 officers and enlisted men.

[2] For surface running, the boats were powered by two 1,500-brake-horsepower (1,119 kW) diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft.

They were also armed with a pair of 100 mm (3.9 in) deck guns, one each fore and aft of the conning tower, for combat on the surface.

[2] She was transferred to the Spanish Nationalist Navy in April 1937 and renamed General Sanjurjo.