Why was ARA San Juan Found Exactly One Year After It Was Lost?

Lost 15 November 2017. 

Found 16 November 2018.

Why ARA San Juan was found exactly one year after it was lost may be coincidence, but more likely Argentine Government generated public relations. 

Revealing evidence after a year provides convincing symbolism. 

Also San Juan's location may have been pretty well known in Argentine and foreign (mainly US) naval circles months ago. 

However revealing sensitive naval sources and methods would look evasive, unhelpful and would raise too many questions. Methods could include:

-  undersea hydrophones, more accurate than those publicized, locating San Juan when it exploded,

-  specialist US submarines, and

-  classified naval unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs).

But for persuasive publication a civilian vessel (eventually Seabed Constructor) was needed to “find” San Juan and collect the evidence – so far the photos. 

Wikipedia has a good account: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARA_San_Juan_(S-42)#Wreck_discovery :

“On 16 November 2018 ARA San Juan was found at a depth of 907 meters, at 45°56′59″S 59°46′22″W,^[19] nearly 270 nautical miles (500 km; 310 mi) from Comodoro Rivadavia, by [Seabed Constructor owned by]  Ocean Infinity, a private maritime company hired by the Argentine government.

The area was previously assigned 90 percent of probability of locating the wreck, but previous searches failed to find it due to insufficient technology and presence of numerous [undersea]  canyons.^[39] 

A "hydro-acoustic anomaly" consistent with an implosion had been detected 30 nautical miles (56 km; 35 mi) north of the sub's last known position at 10:31 (13:31 UT) on 15 November 2017.

Photographs were released showing the shattered remains of the submarine broken up on the seabed.

Ocean Infinity will receive a reward of US$7.5 million for finding the missing vessel.^[3][4] 

Argentine Navy spokesman captain Jorge Balbi presented close-up photos of the wreck in a press briefing. The pictures show the imploded pressure hull, with her bow section, sail and propellers scattered in an area of 8,000 square metres (86,000 sq ft).”

It is also possible that US Navy information of an accuracy that couldn't be made public was provided to the crew on Seabed Constructor and/or Ocean Infinity to make the find.

Pete