Falklands left without key air defences as Argentina splashes millions on fighter jets and US threatens to withdraw support for UK control of islands
Ministers are accused of lowering the Falkland Islands’ air defenses; just as Donald Trump threatened to withdraw support for Britain’s sovereignty and Argentina expanded its air force.
Critics warn that the islands will not have air-to-air refueling capacity for the first time since the 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher sent the Task Force to defeat Argentina.
Saturday marked the 44th anniversary of British forces recapturing South Georgia and Mrs Thatcher welcomed it by declaring outside Number 10: ‘Rejoice at the news.’
RAF sources have confirmed that the only Voyager refueling aircraft deployed to the islands were redeployed during the Iran crisis. This potentially means RAF Typhoons will not be able to conduct 24-hour air patrols for the 2,600-mile round-trip journey to South Georgia.
This comes after an internal Pentagon email suggested the US was considering options to punish NATO allies it believed did not support its war against Iran; this included reviewing his support for British rule over the Falkland Islands.
No 10 responded: ‘The Falklands had previously voted overwhelmingly to remain an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, and we have always stood by the islanders’ right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty vests in the United Kingdom.’
The cut to the RAF’s refueling capacity comes as Buenos Aires has spent more than £220 million on 24 refurbished F-16 fighter jets from the Danish air force and is seeking to purchase two KC-135R Stratotankers from the US for air-to-air refueling.
President Javier Milei has vowed to strengthen the country’s military forces and expressed a desire for Argentina to regain sovereignty of the Falkland Islands as part of his election campaign.
Pictured: The Royal Air Force’s Airbus Voyager. RAF sources confirm the only Voyager refueling aircraft deployed to the islands have been redeployed during the Iran crisis
A Typhoon jet lands in the Falkland Islands. Voyager’s absence potentially means RAF Typhoons will not be able to conduct 24-hour air patrols for the 2,600-mile round trip to South Georgia
A senior RAF source said: ‘If the Argentines decide to test our defences we would struggle to establish a sustained combat air patrol without the ability to carry out air-to-air refueling. ‘We need more planes and more pilots’.
An RAF source told Defense Eye: ‘This is not a permanent stop for Mount Pleasant and reflects current demands from other activities, including the Middle East. ‘We intend to provide Voyager support to the Falklands where appropriate’.
But Tory Armed Forces spokesman Mark Francois said: ‘The withdrawal of this tanker aircraft sends all the wrong signals, especially in light of President Trump’s recent comments.’
The Ministry of Defense responded last night saying: ‘The UK’s commitment to the defense of the Falkland Islands is unwavering and our ability to defend the islands remains strong, with fast jets and advanced air defences.
‘The redeployment of assets is routine and in support of operational priorities and we continually evaluate our asset deployment.’
