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Falklands anyone?
Looks like a few more folks heading south. SDSR manoeuvring, because we now have some Army capacity post Herrick or are the Argies ramping it up?
Today's Telegraph: 11:26PM GMT 23 Mar 2015 Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, will announce plans to bolster the Falkland Islands garrison Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, will announce plans to bolster the Falkland Islands garrison amid fears of a renewed threat from Argentina. The south American nation is feared to be increasing military expenditure, according to reports. Senior ministers in the country have also made a series of increasingly aggressive statements about the islands in recent years. A Whitehall source told the Sun newspaper: "The Defence Secretary's decision reflects our operational judgments and the heightened nature of the threat." A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence added: "There is a defence review and an announcement will be made about it. There will be a full statement by Michael Fallon." |
Perhaps telling them you're 'fearful of their military expenditure' is not the best tactic ?
If they cause any more problems just drop a cruise missile on their military headquarters. You can still afford to use ONE of those can't you ? |
"During the peaceful transition, some private homes were regretfully damaged. The new government has rehoused families within military barracks as a short term solution where they will be warmly received."
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According to the Sun, Argentina is receiving twelve Su-24s from Russia, 20 Mirage F.1s from Spain and 18 ex-Israeli Kfirs. I'm surprised they forgot to mention the Brazilian Gripens, but they do illustrate it with a nice photo of a Flanker.
And it's in the Sun, so it MUST be true. |
Statement in the Commons today
URGENT QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS
12.30pm Urgent Questions (if any) Ministerial Statements, including on Falkland Islands Defence Review and on Cyber Security |
Election looming.....Army cuts...Defence Spending...Blah Blah Blah.
Nothing to see here, move along please. |
Irrespective of whether an election is looming or not, things are not standing still down South.
Britain is set to boost its defences in the Falklands amid claims Russian president Vladimir Putin is helping Argentina re-arm. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is due to tell MPs on Tuesday that the Government is beefing-up the UK’s presence on the islands. But critics will question the timing of the expected announcement just six weeks before the general election and as David Cameron faces intense pressure over his failure to commit to spending two per cent of national income on defence - a key Nato benchmark. The move comes three months after it was claimed the Kremlin and Argentina had struck a deal for Russia to supply long-range bombers to the Argentinian air force. The deal was said to involve Moscow lending 12 Sukhoi Su-24 supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft. Military experts have warned five years of Tory armed forces cuts have left the islands in the South Atlantic vulnerable to attack - just like 33 years ago when General Galtieri’s Junta launched an invasion. Putin's Falklands threat: Britain to boost defences amid claims Russia is arming Argentinian army - Mirror Online Imagegear |
Now I'm not a Mirror reader... P1 |
During a BBC live broadcast from number 10 this morning whilst discussing an unrelated topic, MR Fallon was observed legging it down Downing street and into the PMs gaff.
Top Tip "Dont run sir , you will panic the men !" |
With the Germany withdrawl and post afghan there are a lot more soldiers in uk twiddling their thumbs. Lots of spare accommodation in FI plus saves money on training and outward bound anywhere else abroad. A win win for Dave and his chums!
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I thought Argentina was virtually bankrupt? How can they afford to run an increased FJ force, even if they're acquiring the jets at knock down prices?
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They can't. It is political posturing by all involved.
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Which, if I recall correctly, was the cause of the problem in 1982? (Forgive me if it wasn't, I was only 12!)
P1 |
Hamish 123
Hamish - You obviously haven't been to an Argentinian steak house. :)
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I thought Argentina was virtually bankrupt? How can they afford to run an increased FJ force, even if they're acquiring the jets at knock down prices? Wonder how long it will be 'til a Bear overflies the islands. |
Ah yes....
The Sun, who use a picture of an Su-27, and a top GA of an Su-22 in the paper but use a pic of an Su-24 on the website and called it an Su-30.... The Sun a credible news(toilet)paper..... No wonder the country has no clue about Defence. Stick to page 3, its about the only thing they can get right V1 |
"Wonder how long it will be 'til a Bear overflies the islands"
Why bother - everything is parked in the same places most of the time and you can see that from the weekly LAN Chile flight..................... |
Sanctions on Russia possibly biting hard now? Putin is getting severely pxxxed off with the stranglehold on Russian finances with the concurrent plummeting of oil/gas prices. He has probably decided to create further problems for the UK in us deciding whether to spend vast amounts of defence cash on the Falklands. He is, of course pushing the US/Europe on all fronts at present.
Where is the Islamic State buying it's weaponry from? - From states funnelling Russian weapons DIRECTLY from Russia.... Putin isn't stupid. The aircraft he is selling to Argentina are not fitted with state of the art avionics & without using well trained Russian aircrew able to use modern weapons, the platforms are worthless. Sadly, Britain cannot defend the Falklands anymore than it can defend the UK mainland anymore, without the use of our submarine launched nuclear deterrent. We have no anti-submarine defences except from short range (fleet range) helicopters & ASW vessels. Etc. Etc. The military pratts that oversee our defences have let this country down badly. I remember undertaking TLP at Florrenes, Belgium in 1991 during the Florrenes Taceval, when the Belgian Air Force actually had to airlift & "Borrow" Air to Air missiles from Holland for their F16's to pass the Taceval! Lets hear what the experts on here would suggest that are capable to defend the Falklands? Let me suggest our best effort given our pathetic assets: 2 AWACS to give 24/7 coverage (5 x Crews). 2 MPA anti-submarine a/c equipped with nuclear depth charges (5 x Crews) A full Squadron (14 a/c ) of typhoons A full squadron of medium/long range Surface to Air missiles - which the UK does not have since getting rid of Bloodhound Mk II. My personal view is that as reported today, Russia can mobilise over 150,000 (conscripted) troops within 72 hours yet the West can do bugger all is showing that Western Governments don't seem to worry about the Russian threat. The USA & EU have pushed Russia to the limit with financial sanctions & sooner rather than later Russia will push across the Western European Plain with an armoured push. |
Which, if I recall correctly, was the cause of the problem in 1982? |
No.1310 Flight going back south again then...
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