03-18-2010, 04:27 AM
I've been discussing doing the Falklands 2010 with Gibatar, and did a little research on the current UK deployment.
Boy, are they in trouble if Argentina comes calling again. Currently all they have is a company of regular infantry (maybe two as it appeared in the media that a 2nd coy. was training for Afghanistan) and roughly a company of light infantry made up of local militia. There are a number of support units, but all said only about 1000 total troops (not counting the 2nd coy in training).
In addition they have a permanent station of 4 Eurofighter Typhoons and a destroyer that is only armed with various AA to include one 30-mm which can be used on surface targets. Recent events caused the UK to augment this force with a cruiser and 4 Tornado F/B's. They also have a couple Sea Kings based there as well.
It seems they reinforced the runway at Mt. Pleasant RAF to take heavy transport planes. I suspect the Brits plan would be to hold that airfield as long as possible for resupply and reinforcement. With only 8 aircraft, even if 4 are very advanced, I don't think they can maintain the air superiority to get heavy transport aircraft in. Plus with only 1000 men, there is no way they could hold the airfield and stop an anphib landing. Argentina would have plenty of time to build a sizable force to assault the airfield.
The UK has plans for a Joint Reaction Force that could bring up to several Brigades including mech and armor, plus a powerful Navy contingent. But honestly, as bad as things were for them in 1982 they appear to be worse now. Argentina is no super power, but it makes you wonder how serious the UK would be about defending the islands if invaded, again. Certainly a blow to national pride, but could they pull it off again?
Boy, are they in trouble if Argentina comes calling again. Currently all they have is a company of regular infantry (maybe two as it appeared in the media that a 2nd coy. was training for Afghanistan) and roughly a company of light infantry made up of local militia. There are a number of support units, but all said only about 1000 total troops (not counting the 2nd coy in training).
In addition they have a permanent station of 4 Eurofighter Typhoons and a destroyer that is only armed with various AA to include one 30-mm which can be used on surface targets. Recent events caused the UK to augment this force with a cruiser and 4 Tornado F/B's. They also have a couple Sea Kings based there as well.
It seems they reinforced the runway at Mt. Pleasant RAF to take heavy transport planes. I suspect the Brits plan would be to hold that airfield as long as possible for resupply and reinforcement. With only 8 aircraft, even if 4 are very advanced, I don't think they can maintain the air superiority to get heavy transport aircraft in. Plus with only 1000 men, there is no way they could hold the airfield and stop an anphib landing. Argentina would have plenty of time to build a sizable force to assault the airfield.
The UK has plans for a Joint Reaction Force that could bring up to several Brigades including mech and armor, plus a powerful Navy contingent. But honestly, as bad as things were for them in 1982 they appear to be worse now. Argentina is no super power, but it makes you wonder how serious the UK would be about defending the islands if invaded, again. Certainly a blow to national pride, but could they pull it off again?