UK on ‘high alert’ to defend Falklands, says RAF chief
The RAF is on “high alert” to defend the Falkland Islands following reports that the US may support Argentina’s claim to the islands, the Air Chief said.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth said the RAF’s role in defending British territory was “non-negotiable” and the air force was ready to step in “at a moment’s notice” to protect citizens.
This follows a leaked email from the Pentagon last week suggesting the US may review its support for Britain’s claim to the disputed Falkland Islands.
Mr Smyth wrote: “Today, in the UK and globally as far afield as the Middle East, the RAF is on high alert and ready to defend our country at a moment’s notice.” Times.
“From the recent UK ‘rapid reaction alert’ to a suspected Russian ‘Bear’ bomber approaching our airspace from the north, to fighter jets based in the Falklands (which have defended the islands since the 1982 war) and our current Typhoon deployment in Romania as part of NATO’s vital enhanced air policing mission, the RAF’s role in defending airspace is undeniable.”
The secret Washington memo, which listed options to punish NATO allies for their lack of support in the Iran war, indicated that the US’s diplomatic support for “imperial possessions” such as the Falkland Islands was being reviewed.
The islands have been under the administration of the United Kingdom since 1833, but have long been claimed by Argentina, whose president Javier Milei is a close ally of Donald Trump.
In response to the email, Mr. Milei said on social media that the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as Las Malvinas, “were, are and always will be Argentina.”
Argentina’s vice president, Victoria Villarruel, responded by saying the Falklands residents should “go back to England”.
“Today the Malvinas are more Argentinian than ever before,” he said.
“The dispute over the sovereignty of our islands is between states, so the UK must dispute bilaterally with Argentina the claim we maintain for legal, historical and geographical reasons.
“Kelpers [Falkland Islanders] They are the British living in Argentine territory; they are not part of the discussion.”
Downing Street insisted the islands’ sovereignty was “not in question”.
“The Falkland Islands 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 rests with the United Kingdom,” a spokesman said.
The defense of the islands is provided by the permanent military base called RAF Mount Pleasant, which was opened by the UK in 1985.
There are currently four Typhoon fighter jets and a Sky Saber missile system capable of destroying enemy jets at the base.
