[Alan Fry]

Originally Posted by Chris

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.

Does anyone know if the Royal Navy is sending nuclear submarines to the Falklands!