Defence chiefs will deploy specialist air defence units to the Falklands to test Britain’s capability to protect the islands from an attack by Argentina.
The move is part of ongoing ‘contingency’ exercises to ‘prove’ that if required, high readiness units are ready to react.
During the six week deployment, soldiers will use drones to simulate incoming ‘air threats’ and will fire live missiles at a pretend enemy force.
Argentina is feared to be increasing its military expenditure and it is understood Russia has plans to lease 12 long-range bombers to the Government to ‘beef up’ its defences.
There have also been suggestions President Christina de Kirchner has attempted to procure fighter aircraft from China.
Britain is to invest £180million over the next ten years in defending the Islands following the findings of a review by top brass.
The UK will ‘modernise’ its defences in the region by investing in some of the ‘ageing infrastructure’.
It is 33 years since Britain and Argentina fought a bloody war over the British Overseas Territory after it was invaded by Argentina.
Falklands troops test their mettle: Specialist soldiers will check Britain's ability to protect islands from an Argentine attack
Soldiers from 14 Battery Royal Artillery and Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade’s Air Defence unit are set to fly out next month
During the six week deployment, soldiers will use drones to simulate incoming ‘air threats’ and will fire live missiles at a pretend enemy force
There have also been suggestions Argentina's President Christina de Kirchner has attempted to procure fighter aircraft from China
By Larisa Brown And David Williams For The Daily Mail
24 June 2015
Daily Mail
Defence chiefs will deploy specialist air defence units to the Falklands to test Britain’s capability to protect the islands from an attack by Argentina.
The move is part of ongoing ‘contingency’ exercises to ‘prove’ that if required, high readiness units are ready to react.
During the six week deployment, soldiers will use drones to simulate incoming ‘air threats’ and will fire live missiles at a pretend enemy force.
Argentina is feared to be increasing its military expenditure and it is understood Russia has plans to lease 12 long-range bombers to the Government to ‘beef up’ its defences.
There have also been suggestions President Christina de Kirchner has attempted to procure fighter aircraft from China.
During the six week deployment, soldiers will use drones to simulate incoming ‘air threats’ and will fire live missiles at a pretend enemy force
Earlier this year, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the threat from Argentina was still a ‘very live threat’, adding: ‘We have to respond to it.’ He announced plans to replace the aging Rapier air defence missile system currently based in the Falklands within the next five years.
Now it has emerged soldiers from 14 Battery Royal Artillery and Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade’s Air Defence unit are scheduled to fly to the Falklands next month.
The Royal Marine unit is from the highly secretive Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron which also includes electronic warfare and drone teams.
Its 40 strong team is armed with a missile system which has a range of over 6,500ft and with its laser tracking system can lock on and destroy the latest fast jets.
A senior source at Larkhill, the home of the Royal Artillery, said: ‘We have a small team of gunners based in the Falklands. This planned visit is simply to test the weapon system and show that we can deploy at short notice.
The long-running dispute over the sovereignty of the British Overseas Territory (capital Stanley, above) has surfaced again in recent years under de Kirchner’s Presidency
‘There is no Argentine threat… it is all about us showing we can defend the Islands, against any threat.’
During the Falklands war, Royal Marines ‘air defence teams’ shot down Argentine aircraft during the Battle of Goose Green using Blowpipe missiles.
The long-running dispute over the sovereignty of the British Overseas Territory has surfaced again in recent years under de Kirchner’s Presidency.
Britain is to invest £180million over the next ten years in defending the Islands following the findings of a review by top brass.
The UK will ‘modernise’ its defences in the region by investing in some of the ‘ageing infrastructure’.
Amid threats, Mr Fallon said in March that the Army would deploy two RAF Chinook helicopters which were used in Afghanistan and which would replace the search and rescue Sea King helicopters.
The helicopters would enable the islands’ garrison to mount a ‘swift and decisive’ response to ‘any emerging incidents’, it was said.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon speaking in the Commons on defence boost amid Falklands fear:
The move is part of ongoing ‘contingency’ exercises to ‘prove’ that if required, high readiness units are ready to react.
During the six week deployment, soldiers will use drones to simulate incoming ‘air threats’ and will fire live missiles at a pretend enemy force.
Argentina is feared to be increasing its military expenditure and it is understood Russia has plans to lease 12 long-range bombers to the Government to ‘beef up’ its defences.
There have also been suggestions President Christina de Kirchner has attempted to procure fighter aircraft from China.
Britain is to invest £180million over the next ten years in defending the Islands following the findings of a review by top brass.
The UK will ‘modernise’ its defences in the region by investing in some of the ‘ageing infrastructure’.
It is 33 years since Britain and Argentina fought a bloody war over the British Overseas Territory after it was invaded by Argentina.
Falklands troops test their mettle: Specialist soldiers will check Britain's ability to protect islands from an Argentine attack
Soldiers from 14 Battery Royal Artillery and Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade’s Air Defence unit are set to fly out next month
During the six week deployment, soldiers will use drones to simulate incoming ‘air threats’ and will fire live missiles at a pretend enemy force
There have also been suggestions Argentina's President Christina de Kirchner has attempted to procure fighter aircraft from China
By Larisa Brown And David Williams For The Daily Mail
24 June 2015
Daily Mail
Defence chiefs will deploy specialist air defence units to the Falklands to test Britain’s capability to protect the islands from an attack by Argentina.
The move is part of ongoing ‘contingency’ exercises to ‘prove’ that if required, high readiness units are ready to react.
During the six week deployment, soldiers will use drones to simulate incoming ‘air threats’ and will fire live missiles at a pretend enemy force.
Argentina is feared to be increasing its military expenditure and it is understood Russia has plans to lease 12 long-range bombers to the Government to ‘beef up’ its defences.
There have also been suggestions President Christina de Kirchner has attempted to procure fighter aircraft from China.
During the six week deployment, soldiers will use drones to simulate incoming ‘air threats’ and will fire live missiles at a pretend enemy force
Earlier this year, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the threat from Argentina was still a ‘very live threat’, adding: ‘We have to respond to it.’ He announced plans to replace the aging Rapier air defence missile system currently based in the Falklands within the next five years.
Now it has emerged soldiers from 14 Battery Royal Artillery and Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade’s Air Defence unit are scheduled to fly to the Falklands next month.
The Royal Marine unit is from the highly secretive Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron which also includes electronic warfare and drone teams.
Its 40 strong team is armed with a missile system which has a range of over 6,500ft and with its laser tracking system can lock on and destroy the latest fast jets.
A senior source at Larkhill, the home of the Royal Artillery, said: ‘We have a small team of gunners based in the Falklands. This planned visit is simply to test the weapon system and show that we can deploy at short notice.
The long-running dispute over the sovereignty of the British Overseas Territory (capital Stanley, above) has surfaced again in recent years under de Kirchner’s Presidency
‘There is no Argentine threat… it is all about us showing we can defend the Islands, against any threat.’
During the Falklands war, Royal Marines ‘air defence teams’ shot down Argentine aircraft during the Battle of Goose Green using Blowpipe missiles.
The long-running dispute over the sovereignty of the British Overseas Territory has surfaced again in recent years under de Kirchner’s Presidency.
Britain is to invest £180million over the next ten years in defending the Islands following the findings of a review by top brass.
Argentinian soldiers captured at the Battle of Goose Green being guarded by a Royal Marine
The UK will ‘modernise’ its defences in the region by investing in some of the ‘ageing infrastructure’.
Amid threats, Mr Fallon said in March that the Army would deploy two RAF Chinook helicopters which were used in Afghanistan and which would replace the search and rescue Sea King helicopters.
The helicopters would enable the islands’ garrison to mount a ‘swift and decisive’ response to ‘any emerging incidents’, it was said.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon speaking in the Commons on defence boost amid Falklands fear:
Last edited:
