Quote:
Originally Posted by DocDutch
I doubt that the UK would send nuclear ballistic submarines to the falklands but hunter killer subs will already be there 1 for sure as that is standard operations for the royal navy and that will have some sbs troops on boards if they need to be used.
raf mount pleasant can hold at most a squadron of euros anymore and they would be out in the open
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You're right, we will not be sending our nuclear deterrent to the South Atlantic. The Trident system is a strategic weapon designed to prevent a nuclear assault on the UK's home territory, not sabre-rattling by second division south American republics.
When you hear talk of 'nuclear submarines' heading for the Falklands, 'nuclear' refers to the sub's power plant and is an indication of its ability to remain on station, submerged and undetected, for a very long time.
In 1982, one torpedo from one British submarine was enough to force the entire Argentine navy back into port for the duration of the war. Memories of the General Belgrano will still be sharp within the Argentine military and this weekend's very rare leak about British submarine movements will have been calculated to poke that old wound and give any hawks in their defence ministry pause for thought.