Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Same here Tim.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Can they not get supplies from the UK or South Africa?

---------- Post added at 10:52 ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 ----------

Lets hope Cristina Kirchner is not readin this thread! :D

---------- Post added at 10:54 ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 ----------

This is not a matter for Sean Penn, but for the UK, Argentina and most importantly the people of the Falklands themselfs!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

They trade with the UK, the islands supermarket is Waitrose who supply most of their tinned/packet/frozen foodstuffs, but it's a long/expensive way to travel for fresh veg and eggs. South Africa is an option I guess.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

There are not many UK Flags ships the the first place and we do not have much trade with Argentina anyway!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Me too.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

We can manage very well without Beef and Wine from Argentina!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

We are a very important importer to them of Argentine wines. We also import their beef.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Can we rename our top football league "The HMS Conqueror Premier League" :D

---------- Post added at 11:04 ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 ----------

If that was the case, they will part of the Tierra del Fuego Province of Argentina

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tierra_...nce_(Argentina)

---------- Post added at 11:07 ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 ----------

Reminds me of Iran, also will Argentina now also claim Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay as well?

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I think that the status quo will remain for the near future, for now...

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Lets face it, I have more change of marrying Kylie Minogue this summer than the Argie have of invading the Falkland Islands.

From what I read they only have real problems getting fresh food (fruit, Veg etc).

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

With a subterranean high speed rail link of course..... :D

---------- Post added at 12:29 ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 ----------

A few polytunnels ought to sort most of that out. Perhaps a scaled down version of the Eden Project to provide them with bananas and the like.... :)

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

and eggs :)

---------- Post added at 12:52 ---------- Previous post was at 12:52 ----------

Yes :)

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I was being serious... ;)

Oh yes, many things are possible I'm sure - it's the economics which will determine the options taken.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Oh yes and I'm sure they'll all have their central heating on full blast too.... ;)

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Good article on the Huff:

Click ME!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

You need to remember that in the 80's the military government in Argentina had domestic unrest, and were trying to divert attention from the countries own problems, to make themselves popular.

Well this just looks like history repeating itself, with the added incentive of oil added to the equation.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Yep, the key difference this time being it's a democratic, civilian government running the country rather than a crazed military junta. Civilian democracies, even slightly unhinged ones like Argentina, find it much, much harder to equip a large army and then to deploy it. Galtieri had the hardware at his disposal and a reason to believe the UK would not deploy its own hardware in response. Kirchner has basically the same standard of kit as Galtieri, but rather less of it. And this time there is rather a lot of British hardware sitting off the coast, armed and reasy to cause what's left of the Argentine military a lot of pain if necessary.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I believe they are trying to emulate Maggie T.

But she is a one off.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Yes I agree. But she is being seen to be doing something by the voters in Argentina. And that will win votes.

---------- Post added at 22:42 ---------- Previous post was at 22:39 ----------

Yes and it's a good job she is.

She won votes because we won the Falklands war. But if she had listened to the threats from Argentina, then she could have sent out a defence force, and there wouldn't have been a war at all.

One point of view is that it was good for votes for us to go to war instead.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Very true.

---------- Post added at 14:46 ---------- Previous post was at 14:43 ----------

Looks like going to the UN to complain didn't get the reaction Argentina was looking for :)

Click ME for more!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Good read. This shows that there is resistance against Kirchners views. She's just looking to gain political points.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

What? A political opportunist??? Quelle surprise!!....

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Well, I do not think they are stupid enough to have another war!

Otherwise, the result would not be pretty!

But they will persue the claim, also Spain, China, Russia, Brazil and all of Spainsh-Speaking Latin America, back Argetinas claim!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

That's because there is oil involved.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

send three of the type 45's suggest to argentina that they stop bullying the falklanders, also suggest that if they carry on there economic blockade of the island then britain shall actively angage ANY aircraft that belongs to argentina, it is disgusting there game, britain needs to set an example of how serious this nation is, wether it is through a superior navy or words, job done

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Very brave of you....

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I think keeping our dignity and boycotting their goods is a better move, that way they feel some pain economically and we keep everyone on our side ;)

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I think a dignified silence and totally ignoring everyone would speak volumes.It would also be cheaper.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

:gpoint:

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

We're not in the top 12 & I doubt we're in the top 50 of their export markets:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign..._relationships

Agree there's no need for the gung ho approach though!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Do you remember how many ships were lost in the Falklands war by any chance and you want send just 3 ships in an act of provocation.:confused:

Timeline of ships damaged or sunk

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

The type 45 destroyers were designed and specified partly in response to lessons learned during the Falklands war. They are a wholly different type of vessel than the Type 42s that at now being phased out. The aircraft that launched Exocet missiles against our fleet in 1982 would have been detected as soon as they took off had a type 45 been on patrol and would have been shot down shortly afterwards. This capability did not exist in 1982.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Well we have 6 type 45's one in the Gulf, one going to the Falklands in the spring and the third just coming into service, 2 undergoing trials and the sixth being fitted out.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

But we are a VERY important importer of Argentinian Wine

http://www.harpers.co.uk/news/news-h...k-exports.html

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

That's a brilliant way to stop the situation escalating into war, and alienating us from the rest of the world.

You should get a job at the UN :rolleyes:

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

What about a boycott of all goods from South America (as all of those nations back Argentina over the Falklands)!

---------- Post added at 10:15 ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 ----------

The USA, Commonwealth and France back the UIK over the Falklands!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

THey wouldn't if we started shooting down all Argentine planes.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Unless Argentina started it!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Alan. Read the previous posts to see where this conversation started :rolleyes:

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

BRITISH taxpayers have helped to fund £452million in aid to Argentina — despite its threat to the Falklands.


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...Argentina.html

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

That is really stupid, and they have not plased the USA either!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

A good comparison between 1982 and current British capabilities

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17157373

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I just heard something on radio news about a cruise ship being turned away from Argentina, because it had previously visited the Falklands.

This story doesn't appear to be on the BBC news website yet though.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

You sure you;re not getting confused with the Star Princess that was refused docking in mid January due to some of it's passengers suffering from the norovirus. It wasn't Argentina that blocked the ship but instead the Falklands as a norovirus outbreak would have a major effect on the Falklands

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I was only half listening, but I don't know why that would have been on the news headlines 20 minutes ago.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Maybe because the falklands is still current news, so stories associated with it tend to hang on.. You never know though it might be a totally different story

---------- Post added at 16:24 ---------- Previous post was at 16:23 ----------

And it is a separate story

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/ship..._to_Argentina/

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Thanks Kymmy...I'm not going mad after all :D

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

It's also being reported on the Falklands own newspapers site:

http://www.penguin-news.com/index.ph...from-falklands

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Fine if that's what they want then that's what they get.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Well it sounds like they have had enough money out of the UK.

The funny thing is that it will be just another stop for the cruise ship, and probably won't be much of a big deal for most of the passengers. But for the tourist industry near the port in Argentina, it could be a huge financial blow.

---------- Post added at 18:24 ---------- Previous post was at 17:49 ----------

It's on the BBC News site now:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17184955

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

This is madness! :td:

---------- Post added at 09:49 ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 ----------

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17157373

Reading the BBC article, we are well prepaired, except in terms of Aircraft carriers!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

The Falklands are well defended, don't worry. The islands had no defence in 1982, so the Argentinians walked in.

It's easier to defend than to liberate.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I wonder if the Argentinians would feel it justified for us to stop all flights to the Falklands made by the families and loved ones of those Argentinians buried there. In not stooping to their level we show oursleves to have the moral as well as geographical high ground.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

The Argentinian economy is in crisis I believe, it's their loss to turning away 3000 people with money to spend. But what I cannot wait to hear this week is what their second rate celebrity supporter, Sean Penn has to say on the matter. :rofl:

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Don't forget 'pride comes before a fall'

Many military leaders have underestimated their enemy in the past, and paid for it.

It only takes one lucky shot, or one glitch in the defence radar to lose a ship.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Lucky shots tend to be one in a million, the missiles that hit Sheffield, coventry and the support ships would not have got through to hit a type 45.. It's also doubtful if the exocet would even lock onto a type 45..

But you seem to be so negative, anyone would think you want the argies to win????

:rolleyes:

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Will you stop having this "we can never be beaten attitude", it is so arrogant!

I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic.

We may have better technology than them, and we may have more forces there than we did last time. However if they threw everything they have at us, then our forces could quite easily be overwhelmed.

Remember the Taliban are still killing our soldiers even though they don't have anywhere near the sort of technology that we have.

I personally don't want any British serviceman killed. And if Argentina think they have a chance, then there could be a lot of bloodshed. As I have said from the start of this thread, if we had aircraft carriers in the area, then they wouldn't dare even to try.


What would be interesting would be to find out the actual strength of the Argentine military.

---------- Post added at 12:24 ---------- Previous post was at 12:16 ----------

:clap::clap:

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I never said we can never be beaten, what I am saying is that 40 year old technology has a tendency of always being beaten by up to date technology.. The argies haven't updated any of their aircraft, armaments..etc since the last so called war.. This time they can't sneak up on us (I wonder how many military sats UK/US..etc are pointing at their coastline/bases) and the current complement (with or without the type 45's even) could cope with an invasion comparable to what they did in the 80's..

If anyone has got a defeatist mentality then go join up..

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

What if Iran, Russia and China gave milltary aid to Argentina? (just to annoy the UK!)

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

If they haven't done by now I doubt if they will do.. Argentina had to go the round about route last time to buy the exocets.. You can't just also buy an up to date missile without an up to date aircraft to launch it, which also means up to date training for the crew. Even those weapons would have difficulty penetrating a type 45's defences.

As for the Taliban in the previous post it's a totally different scenario.. We're not going in to a country where part of the indigenous population is acting as a guerilla force.. I doubt if Argies could hide amongst the population and there's few other places to hide.. So the recent conflicts in Iraq/Afghanistan is not comparable.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

If that happened then I can see the yanks joining in on our side. They'd be watching any military action by the above 3 countries VERY closely and I reckon they'd join us as a big brother (although no doubting wanting any action taken to be "US-led" :rolleyes:)

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

I really hope you are right. But I believe you are being far too cocky, and that's exactly what Maggy did in the 80's. And that's why we very nearly lost the "so called war" as you put it.

I can't believe you seriously think that 1200 troops, 4 fast jets, and three ships (including only 1 type 45), can take on a whole country's military, that is only 200 miles or so away, if they were really determined. If they did decide to invade, then yes, we could put up a far better defence. But it all depends on how much they throw at us, as to how long we could hold out for. Even to resupply our troops we have to go 1000's of miles.

Lets just take a scenario where Argentina are determined to take out the only type 45 that we have in the area. And they launch 30 fast jets armed with whatever anti ship missile they have these days, in a simultanious attack. Now in theory I'm sure the type 45's are capable of taking out more than one missile ar fast jet at a time....but 30???

So like I said, we shouldn't get so cocky. And we need our aircraft carriers recommisioned.

Oh, and don't forget. Obama isn't backing us on this one.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

So why don't we send more of the UK armed forces to the Falklands!

Also, draw up a list of passenger ships that could be used in a future war, like the Cunard and P&O cruises fleets!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

As they say one bomb can outweigh an army of a thousand..

The argies have no decent weaponry, yes they could win a hand to hand fight army to army based on the current south atlantic deployment but once you bring in weaponry and technology we have a good 10-1 advantage.

It's a shame to the memory of those who have fought and died for this country that some people here have such a defeatist attitude.

:nono::grind::geez:

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

in some ways Tim has a point with the Type 45's yes they can beat quite a few planes in 1 go but how many SAM's have they got on board for replenishment?

Alan, if the UK would put more troops on the islands now it is shown as a hostile act and at the moment DC isnt desperate enough yet in the government or polls to do such a thing.

Another thing Alan, you think we have enough boats to protect say 3 passenger ships like that?

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Probably a lot more than the Argies have planes and/or excocets :D

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

If the number of troops was a problem how about training up some failed asylum seekers with the proviso that if we went to war with Argentina and they play an active part then they would be granted citizenship on their return?

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

The argentine army was mainly conscripts, look how they did on the falklands

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Yet again Kymmy, you completely miss my point. I'm not being deeatist at all. We may have a 10-1 advantage if we send enough of our military to the area. But we haven't, so that 10-1 adantage could easily be negated.

My point is that we should massively boost our defences of the Falklands, so that they wouldn't think for a second that they stand a chance. That way there would be no bloodshed at all.

As it stands at the moment, they may be confident of launching a successful invasion. And even if they fail, there could be a huge amount of bloodshed as they make their attempt.

I don't know what your agenda is, but mine is to prevent them to even attempting an invasion, to save British lives. I know people who fought in the last Falklands war, and lost many friends. We don't want that to happen again. And don't play down the last war, because it was a war, where many British servicemen were killed...don't forget that.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

So what if Argentina thinks it is a "hostile act"

In their eyes everything the UK does is a hostile act

We have 98 ships in the Royal Navy and we could "borrow" Aircraft Carriers and even recommision HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

That's because they sent conscripts in the belief that the Falklands would be a walkover.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

The Army in Argentina no longer have conscripts and the milltary has a force of 104,000

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Exactly...and we only have one type 45 in the area.

No matter how Argentina complain about it being a hostile act. The fact is that it isn't hostile as we aren't planning to invade Argentina. It is just a defensive measure to protect against possible Argentine aggression. And that's how most of the UN would see it, as we have a right to protect our territory.

In the last Falklands war, we did use merchant cruise ships as troop carriers, and I believe a hospital ship. And those plans are already in place, just in case we need to use them again.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Never said they were, was comparing the resolve of conscripts and why the British army doesn't use them..

As for Argentine I don't even think they're stupid enough to try an invasion even with out current level of personnel in the area.. They'd lose a lot more than just a few personnel with sanctions from the economic community and that's before we kick their arses off the islands

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

What ships would be used?

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

British merchant ships

I believe they used the QE2 last time

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchan...nited_Kingdom)

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

The QE2 and Canberra!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Lets' look at the argies capabilities.. for example look at the current anti-aircraft capability of the Argentine Army.. 3 outdated Roland SAM systems, They did have 4 but they left one for us back in 1982.. and a lot of various anti-aircraft guns without any automated fire control.. Probably all useless against the speed and stand off capability of the eurofighter.

Look at the navy.. defensively even the aspide system they currently have is outdated and designed against sub sonic aircraft.. Again they rely on exocets ship launched (well we know what happened to the General Belgrano)and air lanched which the SuE's (the only aircraft capable of launching them) have less than a dozen aircraft left, no carrier and reports are that most of the squadron is non-operational..

To put is simply the Argentine attack capabilities is a lot less than in 1982.

Britain would currently have at very least a few days notice of an attack on the islands through current surveillance technology, by then the air force and army can get immediate reinforcements by air and the type 45 can lay back for a long range defensive role close to the island.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

The type 45 has a kill range of 70 miles. That would only cover a fraction of the Falklands on it's own. So it can't protect all possible landing sites.

---------- Post added at 13:48 ---------- Previous post was at 13:45 ----------

PERSONNEL

Total Population: 41,769,726 [2012]
Available Manpower: 19,918,490 [2012]
Fit for Service: 16,718,928 [2012]
Of Military Age: 684,870 [2012]
Active Military: 100,000 [2012]
Active Reserve: 450,000 [2012]


LAND ARMY

Total Land Weapons: 4,732
Tanks: 257 [2012]
APCs / IFVs: 981 [2012]
Towed Artillery: 289 [2012]
SPGs: 543 [2012]
MLRSs: 58 [2012]
Mortars: 1,754 [2012]
AT Weapons: 850 [2012]
AA Weapons: 375 [2012]
Logistical Vehicles: 5,021

AIR POWER

Total Aircraft: 404 [2012]
Helicopters: 94 [2012]
Serviceable Airports: 1,141 [2012]

NAVAL POWER

Total Navy Ships: 42
Merchant Marine Strength: 43 [2012]
Major Ports & Terminals: 8
Aircraft Carriers: 0 [2012]
Destroyers: 4 [2012]
Submarines: 3 [2012]
Frigates: 0 [2012]
Patrol Craft: 8 [2012]
Mine Warfare Craft: 0 [2012]
Amphibious Assault Craft: 2 [2012]


http://www.globalfirepower.com/count...y_id=Argentina

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Along with the rapier systems already on the island I think they'd have it covered

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

And then there is the UK, with a much stronger military. However they are very stretched at the moment. And most are 1000's of miles away from the Falklands:

PERSONNEL

Total Population: 62,698,362 [2011]
Available Manpower: 29,164,233 [2011]
Fit for Service: 24,035,131 [2011]
Of Military Age: 749,480 [2011]
Active Military: 224,500 [2011]
Active Reserve: 187,130 [2011]


LAND ARMY

Total Land Weapons: 11,630
Tanks: 420 [2011]
APCs / IFVs: 4,347 [2011]
Towed Artillery: 138 [2011]
SPGs: 120 [2011]
MLRSs: 42 [2011]
Mortars: 2,563 [2011]
AT Weapons: 4,000 [2011]
AA Weapons: 653 [2011]
Logistical Vehicles: 16,011

AIR POWER

Total Aircraft: 1,663 [2011]
Helicopters: 606 [2011]
Serviceable Airports: 505 [2011]

NAVAL POWER

Total Navy Ships: 99
Merchant Marine Strength: 527 [2011]
Major Ports & Terminals: 10
Aircraft Carriers: 1 [2011] out of date, should say 0
Destroyers: 6 [2011]
Submarines: 11 [2011]
Frigates: 13 [2011]
Patrol Craft: 23 [2011]
Mine Warfare Craft: 15 [2011]
Amphibious Assault Craft: 10 [2011]


http://www.globalfirepower.com/count...United-Kingdom

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Someone can cut/paste.. yippee...

How many of those do you think would be deployed to the islands and they don't come close to explaining the levels of armament which is a major factor??

No good publishing total figures as that doesn't mean a lot apart from a logistical nightmare if they decide to move any more than a couple of thousand.

That's why they got the island so easily last time in that it was a small fast moving force taking over an undefended island.. This time it's nothing like that and I'm sure that the costs involved and fear of the Argentine people alone in being "defenceless" would soon cause uproar in their government.

The argies would be stupid to try and attack

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

You seriously think we have enough to cover the whole coastline against a sustained attack?

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

That question seems to assume an amphibious force could get close enough to the coast to need repelling. They have 300 miles of open ocean to cross first, and satellites watching their every move.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

The figures do mean a great deal, as they may not match us for technology, but it wouldn't be difficult for them to overwhelm our defences, as Argentina is only a couple of hundres miles away.

Do you have any idea how long it took for the British task force to reach the Falklands last time??

Yes they may be crazy to attack. But maybe they are crazy!!

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

PMSL :rofl: :rofl:

Amazing how the first edit I read had 11 submarines for 2011 now it's down to 3 and even those are 1970/80's diesels :rofl:

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

And who controls most of the military satelites??? Remember Obama isn't backing us on this one. We are on our own.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

There's some interesting analysis here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17157373

The suggestion is that the only possibly viable attack vector would be a Trojan horse - special forces aboard a 'stricken' civilian airliner requesting an emergency landing.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

And how many torpedos does it take to sink one ship???

You really need history lessons Kymmy

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

We don't need favours in order to get access to military satellite data (unlike in 1982).

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Yes I did read that Chris.

Kymmy just has a bee in her bonnet, and really believes that we should risk the lives of our servicemen, rather than boost the defences of the Falklands, because she thinks that we can defend against a whole country's military with what we already have in the area.

---------- Post added at 14:05 ---------- Previous post was at 14:04 ----------

We do to use American satelites (which most of them are).

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Yep I posted that link yesterday.. http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35389323-post352.html

I don't think that would work.. It's too spread out for a single plane load to take efficiently and I'm sure with the current situation any emergency landing would be looked upon with suspicion and a force waiting to meet it on the runway away from any crucial areas..

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Kymmy is ex-forces, I'd say that bee probably has a potent sting when it comes to facts.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Many people are ex forces....your point is?

She still referred to the Falklands War as a "so called war". Which is extremely insulting to anyone who fought there.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Nah, just swatted that bee... it kept cut/pasting erroneous data from out of date sites..

Argentine may have more man and may be closer but the logistics and public fear of putting even a small percentage of them onto an island three hundred miles away from their home base would preclude any attack happening or at very least give us one hell of a warning (weeks perhaps to see the build up) Which means that we can get men and equipment in the air on route as unlike 1982 the airport is in our hands and those currently on the ground can dig in around Mount Pleasant. 1982 worked not because we didn't think they would do it.. it worked as we didn't know they had left, we didn't know they had landed and we had extremely few ill equipped on the ground to defend against the initial landing, never mind having no typhoons or destroyers in that area at that point in time.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

My understanding is that the arrangement is more formal than 'favours'. I either case, the Obama White House's reluctance to make unequivocal pro-British statements on the Falklands is unlikely to have resulted in withdrawl of our ongoing use of the sats for intelligence gathering. There would most likely have been a very noisy diplomatic row about it by now.

Remember, their usefulness in this context is as early warning, not as tools to aid in an operation to re-take the islands in the event of their loss. If Obama's position was so pro-Argentine that he believed use of satellites should be withdrawn, then their use would already have been denied to the British military for ongoing monitoring.

As for Kymmy's "bee", I don't think her position is unreasonable and nor do the contributors to that BBC article. There is some disagreement over whether re-taking the islands again would be possible but there appears to be broad agreement over the deterrent effect of the forces stationed on or near the islands, so as to make re-taking them unnecessary.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Seemingly beyond you.

I'd take the opinion of an ex-forces person over someone who has little/no military experience. Unless you're going to reveal another unexpected feather in your cap?

I'm not saying someone from the forces can't be wrong, or someone without the experience can't be right, but in the absence of any other information I would lean towards the view of the one who has been there, seen it and done it.

Re: Falkland Islands: Tensions Rising
 

Russ I don't think me being an ex-weapons tech has anything to do with my attitude apart from understanding equipment is what keeps the army moving, fighting and winning.... 1982 wasn't a war it was a skirmish, we took a few shots from them then walked all over them. Most importantly we learned from our mistakes hence Mount Pleasant exists, hence there's 4 typhoons on the island and hence with the first moans by the argies we've got a type 45 deployed there..

It's just all common sense looking at everything.. not only the army numbers but also the other factors (equipment, training, moral, logistics) which you have to take into consideration which certain people seem to be blinkered to.. :rolleyes: