Britain says it can defend Falklands against Argentina

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 17:38 · Archive

Britain could protect the Falkland Islands from any Argentinian military action, a defence source told GB News.

A senior British defence source told GB News that Britain could protect the Falkland Islands from any Argentinian military action, with the military presence able to be rapidly reinforced through Mount Pleasant airbase in the event of heightened threat. The statement comes amid Argentina's arms buildup, which includes combat jets and helicopters, with Germany and France bidding to supply three attack submarines.

Argentina's President Javier Milei has claimed the islands are 'under illegal foreign occupation' and threatened to pursue legal action in international courts. He has also threatened to impose sanctions on oil drilling off the Falklands and file criminal charges against an Israeli energy company operating in the region. Britain's Foreign Office minister Uma Kumaran has attacked his 'inflammatory remarks' and 'increasingly aggressive public statements'.

British troops have been training to recapture the islands, with over 100 soldiers joining local reservists for a six-day exercise earlier this month. The training mirrored Argentina's 1982 invasion and involved a 20-mile overnight hike and amphibious assault. A commanding officer told The Times the exercise gave troops 'the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our forefathers and gain a small insight into what they persevered through to achieve victory in 1982'.

How it is being reported

• British troops training to ‘recapture Falklands’ amid rising Argentinian hostilityRelations between the UK and Argentina have continued to sourThe Independent · 13 Oct, 17:10
• Britain would be able to defend Falkland Islands 'against any Argentinian military action'Britain could protect the Falkland Islands from any Argentinian military action, a senior defence source told GB News. The British military presence on the islands could be rapidly reinforced through the Mount Pleasant airbase in the event of any heightened threat, the source said. This comes as Argentina once again builds up its armed forces, buying combat jets and helicopters. In the latest worrying development, Germany and France are both bidding to build a fleet of three attack submarines for the South American nation. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say For now, Argentina has neither the…GB News · 13 Oct, 07:25

In this story: Britain · Falkland Islands · Argentina · Javier Milei · Germany · France · Uma Kumaran

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