As of 2020, the refit of Santa Cruz has been reported cancelled leaving the entire class inactive.

The boat's four MTU 16V652 MB80 diesel engines, four generators, and Siemens electric motor can propel it at speeds up to 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph).

[citation needed] These boats are equipped to accept a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).

[12] The radar consists of the Thomson-CSF Calypso and it has an Atlas Elektronik CSU 3/4 and Thomson Sintra DUUX-5 as sonars.

[15] After attempts to complete and sell the boats to Taiwan failed, they were cannibalized, along with the parts for the fifth and sixth units, to support the continued operations of the first two submarines.

[17] In September 2010, it was revealed that the Ministry of Defense was conducting feasibility studies to decide if ARA Santa Fe (S-43) should be completed.

[20][21] A year after that, on 17 November 2018, private company Ocean Infinity (appointed by the Argentine Government) announced that they successfully located the wreck, at 900 metres depth and 500 km from Comodoro Rivadavia.