We wouldn't be able to mount an amphibious operation full stop. Since the FA2 Sea Harriers were mothballed we only have ground attack variants of the Harrier which would be useless against even the most modest air threats. We don't have the required strength to mount an operation of any magnitude with forces spread so thinly across the world from the gulf to the med and the atlantic. Mount Pleasant is a gift wrapped present to the argies if they ever invade again. Before they only had the small strip that was bombed by the questionably successful blackbuck raids. If we had just used those small strips with harriers, we would be able to mount a good air defense. At the moment, if that airbase at mount pleasant falls they have a fully operational airbase in which they can bring in air assets like mirages and entandards with their remaining exocets. In 1982 we could get quite close to the islands because these fighters previously had to fly from the mainland and thus had a very short endurance on station making them less of a threat. Now they could possibly sink some major assets before we even get CLOSE to the islands. Unless the Royal Navy is bolstered with a lot of ships i.e. new carriers and amphibious assault vessels I can see the Falklands turning to Argentine hands within the next decade or so.

I recommend reading Commander "Sharkey" Wards book on the Falklands war, its a very good read and give an incite into how lucky we were in 1982. I don't think that luck would help us a second time around, it would seem that politicians don't learn from their mistakes!

All it is is the regular Argentine PM's claim that it is theirs. they have to say it once in a while. However if the claims become more vocal and often then I think we may get the Carriers for sure. Also I'd bet they'd send the multi-role Typhoons down there.

If we didn't see them coming it would be a big fubar. I bet at any sign the Argies are coming we'd have a couple of SSNs ready to sink the invasion force.

Can't see it happening.

Tchocky has it right.

First, there is not a dictatorship in power desperately needing a distracting public opinion boost. (No Bush jokes, please.) Second, the first war was in large part caused by what was perceived to be apathy on the part of the UK, including the announcement of the imminent withdrawal of the last RN presence in the area. That misapprehension has, I think, been cleared up. Third, as has been noted, there's a bit more of a welcoming party there now than the 1982 token force and any invasion would not be quite the walkover that it was then.

This is for home consumption, the same way that Quebec in Canada refuses to acknowledge its non-ownership of Labrador. Done deal, everybody knows it, but it's comforting to reflect on past glories and what might have been. Come to think of it, is not one of Queen Elizabeth's titles 'Duchess of Normandy'?

The Tonados would fall vistim to the Mirages pretty quickly, but the EF2000, not so much. The EF2000 should dominate.

-S

From the tone of your posts SUBMAN1 I'm getting the distinct impression that its almost like want this to happen... serious question, if the UK and Argentina went to war, would you like it? Would that interest you and hold your attention?

Because the way you are speculating here its almost as though its a done deal that there is going to be a fight and already you are hedging your bets.

This may shock some of you "keyboard warriors" round here, but why not just let the Argentinians have the damn thing back if they want it. If they really nag, hey... just have a referendum with two choices and presto. Problem solved and nobody need fire a single bullet. Democracy in action! BAM!

HMS Ocean
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ocean_(L12)

4 Bay class landing ship dock
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_cla...ding_ship_dock

2 Albion class landing platform dock
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_..._platform_dock

6 Point class sealift ship
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_class

I'd watch the war, sure, but your words are kind of harsh. Having a bad day? I'll let it slide since that is probably the case.

-S

Except for the fact of the British citizens down living in the Falkands, I doubt they want to leave. That was one of the main reasons, along with national pride we went back to take them back. I don't think people over here have the right to decide what happens to them, the Falkland's are ours, and no amount of Argie rhetoric is going to chance that.

Actually subman I'd disagree with you on that. The Tornadoes have a much better A2A radar infact the Foxhunter radar is a very good A2A radar given that it has been upgraded and optimised for just that. They would intercept the Mirages way out and shoot them in the teeth before they get to visual range. Even then I'd bet on the RAF.

I guess a good AMRAAM does the trick, no matter the aircraft firing it, so you are probably right.

-S

Just hope they don't get into a BFM situation the F3 is pretty poor the Mirages would fly circles around them.

Yup, this is a routine claim Argentina makes on every aniversary of the war. They do the same at the UN on other dates.

Ive actually been having a great day. I baked a sausage and egg pie earlier. Seriously, you ask any of the other Grey Wolves they will tell you that Christmas in my house I was the chief baker of things Christmassy! :D

At the end of the day... I ask a valid question of you the thread creator, nothing more. Following the original post by you, yourself and a few others here have sat and talked strategy, who has what, and what is good and what isn't and so forth. Rather than talking of how it could be avoided, no... straight to who has what planes and ships. If that doesn't read like people looking specifically for something to happen... I don't know what does.

I don't feel I was harsh at all. :yep: Maybe it was in as much my questions were directed at you only.

If this war were to happen. NO CONTEST. i'll be eating fish&chips and washing it down with Guiness in Argentina within a month. :D

lol, its a vicious cycle ain't it! ;)