Military AircrewA forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
If the Argies get a bit aggressive and have another go the simplest way to deal with them is to send a Vanguard Sub down launch a trident missle into BA. Remove the warhead and replace it with a few notes that say: "The next missle will be armed if you don't withdraw all Argie personnel from the Falkland Islands imediatly."
Thanks. Depending on the rules of engagement, it's difficult to believe that the Argentinians would consider aggressive actions against the Falklands if the UK has the option of using Tomahawks. But would the rules of engagement permit Tomahawk strikes against targets on the Argentine mainland? Probably not (?)
I was in Buenos Aires recently and walked past the memorial to their dead in the Falklands. At the time it was being guarded by two soldiers in rather ruritanian uniforms. It started to drizzle and a guy wearing jeans and a t-shirt, with a cigarette in his mouth, approached them, spoke for a few seconds, and then turned away. To be honest, he looked like a drunk out to cause trouble.The soldiers followed him and it soon became clear what was happening. The scruff was clearly their guard commander taking them in out of the rain. When the drizzle stopped he, still with cigarette on the go, brushed some raindrops off their epaulettes and waved them back to their posts, while he sauntered off.I was completely taken aback! If that is indicative of their armed force's level of professionalism and commitment (to what is supposed to be a sacred memorial) then I think we should be quietly confident.I found no animosity to us Brits though (even when returing by sea to Buenos Aires direct from Stanley with a Falkland Islands stamp in my passport).Clearly, though, the Malvinas (sic) runs deep in the national psyche - I must admit I was amused to see the weather forecasts on the local news channels; every one of them religiously went through the outlook for the islands. I can't imagine they truly believe that any Falklander will be tuning in...Or maybe they do! One of the oddest things in the Falkland Islands Museum is a propaganda note delivered to islanders straight after the invasion which reads:"People of the Malvinas - You have been liberated from the illegal colonial government. The people and Armed Forces of Argentina embrace you as brothers. Join us in forging a great future for the islands. Join us in giving thanks to the blessed Virgin Mary for the success of Operation Rosary."
"If there was indication of any significant and economically viable oil reserves down that way (which the spook community would know about long before most oil & gas professionals, let alone the general public)"
How?
Does the CIA have its own seismic boats and drillships that operate in a cloak of invisibility?
I doubt any secret service could afford the costs of running an oil operation
Watch AIM announcements instead - the oil companies publish detailed updates all the time
Check the Desire and Rockhopper forums on iii.co.uk. Some very informative chaps as well as the usual rampers and derampers
Desire is drilling the Ninky prospect as we speak so expect to see an rns next week hopefully - this is Desire's last chance really as they have expended investors' cash on their drills that found water earlier this year - a sham of a company really. But if they find oil it will become big news.
If they do find oil in Ninky it becomes very important as this will prove the basin and put the FI on the map as a major new oil discovery. FOGL have yet to drill their prospects in the Southern area - they have secured a rig for 2012 and their area is a lot deeper but is thought to contain billions of barrels of oil.
Stock up on Rockhopper shares as they are currently undervalued and probably offer greater value today than many FTSE 100 companies.
During the Falklands war in 82 consideration was given to flying a Vulcan over BA to acheive the same effect as dat581 mentioned. Sadly the only effective platform with range would be a Sub now .
How about an SSN and MLRS, and more than a token fig leaf of air cover?
The best way to keep the Falkland Islands is to avoid losing them in the first place. I seem to remember (from reading about it - I'm not that old!) that Singapore was considered an impenetrable fortress that couldn't be taken, especially by a 'minor nation' with 'inferior kit'. How did that work out again?
Over-egging the defence of the Falklands, at least until the situation reference oil, etc, is clarified, can have no real impact except for a relatively minor cost implication. Under defending the Falklands however, could have catastrophic consequences.....
The Argentine name for the Falkland Island is Malvinas, from the French "Iles Malouines". The Malouins are from St Malo and were the first colonists of the "Falklands".
Timeline of Who "Owned" the Falklands
1764-1767: France 1765-1770: Great Britain 1767-1811: also Spain 1771-1777: also Great Britain** 1811-1829: (everyone gave up on it) 1829-1831: Argentina (known as United Provinces of the River Plate) 1831-1832: USA 1832-1833: Confederated States of Argentina 1833-1982: Great Britain 6mths in 1982: Argentina Currently: Great Britain
In 1776 Great Britain withdrew from the Islands but left a plaque, claiming Sovereignity of the Islands, but at the same time, leaving the Islands to Spain to manage/rule from Buenos Aires.
When the Spanish pulled out in 1811, they left yet another plaque claiming Sovereignty
Argentina became a Sovereign State in 1816 but Britain didn't recognise her until 1825. Since 1820 Argentina has claimed the Islands by "Natural Law" (what ever that means!?)
Of course although the British claim that their Sovereignty (1690) has never been in doubt, the British case is not helped by the fact that PM Thatcher denied the Islanders "Full" British Citizenship circa 1980.
I was in Buenos Aires recently and walked past the memorial to their dead in the Falklands. At the time it was being guarded by two soldiers in rather ruritanian uniforms. It started to drizzle and a guy wearing jeans and a t-shirt, with a cigarette in his mouth, approached them, spoke for a few seconds, and then turned away. To be honest, he looked like a drunk out to cause trouble.The soldiers followed him and it soon became clear what was happening. The scruff was clearly their guard commander taking them in out of the rain. When the drizzle stopped he, still with cigarette on the go, brushed some raindrops off their epaulettes and waved them back to their posts, while he sauntered off.
Gosh. I know diplomatic relations between Argentina and UK have advanced a lot since 1982, but I didn't know we had RAF detachments on exchange postings out there...
Argentina are planning to buy six Embraer KC-390s (Air refuelling tanker and transport). Currently they rely on KC-130 Hercules to provide an air tanker capability.
Embraer Defense and Security and the Argentine company FAdeA signed a partnership contract, today, for the KC-390 program. The announcement was made during a press conference held at LAAD Defense and Security 2011
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