US forced Britain to allow sale of F-16s to Argentina as fears grow for security of the Falklands amid Trump threat
The United States forced Britain to allow the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Argentina due to fears for the security of the Falkland Islands.
The Biden administration reached a deal with Argentina in 2024 before Labor came to power.
Britain banned arms exports to the South American country during the Falklands War in 1982.
However, Argentine President Javier Milei said that talks had begun in December last year to change these restrictions.
Just a few days later that month, Argentina took delivery of fighter jets, which Mr Milei described as ‘guardian angels’, at a cost of $35 million (£25.9 million) per unit.
It is now understood that the US forced the UK to allow the sale, despite a ban imposed by the UK more than 40 years ago.
State Department officials were reportedly told ‘unambiguously’ not to oppose the deal.
An Argentinian source said the US had put forward a ‘strong’ case for the sale in secret talks with Britain, while other sources said Britain was under pressure to allow the US to sell Mach 2.05 fighter jets.
US forces Britain to allow sale of F-16 fighter jets to Argentina (pictured) despite Britain banning arms exports to the country since 1982
A row of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets during the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, England, on July 21, 2024
Argentinian President Javier Milei once again reiterated the country’s claim to the islands
The statements come as fears grow over the future of the Falkland Islands after President Trump hinted this week that he would help Argentina claim the archipelago.
The move appears to be part of an effort to punish NATO countries for not helping him wage war on Iran.
The islands, with a population of around 3,500, have been under British rule since 1833.
But they were invaded by military dictator Galtieri Castelli in April 1982, after which then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher gave the go-ahead for British forces to take back the islands, defeating Argentina after two months of conflict in June of the same year.
649 Argentines, 255 Britons and three civilians died as a result of bombardment in the war.
In March 2013, the Falklands held a referendum on whether to retain their current political status as a British Overseas Territory, with 99.8 percent of the population voting ‘Yes’ to British rule.
But Argentina has continued to claim the islands since its defeat in 1982 and the decisive referendum 13 years ago.
Mr Milei, a close ally of Mr Trump, reiterated the country’s claim to the islands but the threat sparked outrage from across the UK’s political spectrum.
Royal Marine Peter Robinson carrying the Union Flag as he marched towards Stanley in the final hours of the Falklands War in June 1982
Image: Sidewinder missile on British Sea Harrier aircraft landing on HMS Fearless L10 during the 1982 Falklands War
President Trump’s comments appear to be part of an effort to punish NATO countries for not helping him wage war on Iran. He previously described Sir Keir Starmer as ‘no Winston Churchill’ over the Prime Minister’s stance on the Middle East conflict
Downing Street insisted the status of the Falkland Islands ‘couldn’t be clearer’, while Kemi Badenoch branded the proposal ‘absurd’ and the Liberal Democrats called for King Charles’ trip to the US next week to be cancelled.
Reports suggest the Pentagon will re-examine Britain’s claim to the region.
According to Reuters, an internal memo is circulating in which the US’s diplomatic support for Europe’s long-standing ‘imperial possessions’ such as the Falkland Islands is re-evaluated and Spain is expelled from NATO for refusing to increase defense spending.
British veterans of the 1982 conflict have criticized Mr Trump for his comments about the future of the South Atlantic archipelago and accused him of being a ‘tyrant’.
Welsh Guardsman Simon Weston, who suffered severe burn injuries after landing craft Sir Galahad was set on fire by Argentinian warplanes, said the US President was a ‘school bully’ and warned Argentina could use the policy change to justify another invasion.
Mr Trump’s comments came after he previously described Sir Keir Starmer as ‘no Winston Churchill’; because Britain initially did not accept the US request to allow its planes to attack Iran from two British bases.
Britain later agreed to allow defensive missions aimed at protecting residents, including British citizens, against Iranian retaliation.
Mr Trump also insulted the Royal Navy, referring to aircraft carriers as ‘toys’.
